ItisnotirrelevanttoClemenstosaythatGrantseemedtolikefindinghimselfincompanywithtwoliterarymen，oneofwhomatleasthecouldmakesureof，andunlikethatsilentmanhewasreputed，hetalkedconstantly，andsofarashemighthetalkedliterature。AtleasthetalkedofJohnPhoenix，thatdelightfulestoftheearlyPacificSlopehumorists，whomhehadknownunderhisrealnameofGeorgeH。Derby，whentheywerefellow—cadetsatWestPoint。Itwasmightypretty，asPepyswouldsay，toseethedelicatedeferenceClemenspaidourplainhero，andthemanlyrespectwithwhichhelistened。WhileGranttalked，hisluncheonwasbroughtinfromsomeunassumingrestaurantnearby，andheaskedustojoinhiminthebakedbeansandcoffeewhichwereservedusinalittleroomoutoftheofficewithaboutthesamecircumstanceasatarailroadrefreshment—counter。Thebakedbeansandcoffeewereofabouttherailroad—refreshmentquality；buteatingthemwithGrantwaslikesittingdowntobakedbeansandcoffeewithJuliusCaesar，orAlexander，orsomeothergreatPlutarchancaptain。OneofthehighestsatisfactionsofClemens’softensupremelysatisfactorylifewashisrelationtoGrant。
ItwashisproudjoytotellhowhefoundGrantabouttosignacontractforhisbookoncertainlyverygoodterms，andsaidtohimthathewouldhimselfpublishthebookandgivehimapercentagethreetimesaslarge。
HesaidGrantseemedtodoubtwhetherhecouldhonorablywithdrawfromthenegotiationatthatpoint，butClemensoverborehisscruples，anditwashisunparalleledprivilege，hisprincelypleasure，topaytheauthorafarlargercheckforhisworkthanhadeverbeenpaidtoanauthorbefore。Hevaluedevenmorethanthissplendidopportunitythesacredmomentsinwhichtheirbusinessbroughthimintothepresenceoftheslowlydying，heroicallylivingmanwhomhewassobefriending；andhetoldmeinwordswhichsurelylostnoneoftheirsimplepathosthroughhisreporthowGrantdescribedhissuffering。
Theprosperity，ofthisventurewasthebeginningofClemens’sadversity，foritledtoexcessesofenterprisewhichwereformsofdissipation。
TheyoungsculptorwhohadcomebacktohimfromParismodelledasmallbustofGrant，whichClemensmultipliedingreatnumberstohisgreatloss，andthesuccessofGrant’sbooktemptedhimtolaunchonpublishingseaswherehisbarkpresentlyfoundered。ThefirstandgreatestofhisdisasterswastheLifeofPopeLeoXIII，whichhecametotellmeof，whenhehadimaginedit，inasortofdeliriousexultation。Hehadnowordsinwhichtopaintthemagnificenceoftheproject，ortoforecastitscolossalsuccess。ItwouldhaveacurrencyboundedonlybythenumberofCatholicsinChristendom。Itwouldbetranslatedintoeverylanguagewhichwasanywherewrittenorprinted；itwouldbecirculatedliterallyineverycountryoftheglobe，andClemens’sbookagentswouldcarrytheprospectusesandthentheboundcopiesoftheworktotheendsofthewholeearth。NotonlywouldeveryCatholicbuyit，buteveryCatholicmust，ashewasagoodCatholic，ashehopedtobesaved。Itwasamagnificentscheme，anditcaptivatedme，asithadcaptivatedClemens；itdazzledusboth，andneitherofussawthefataldefectinit。WedidnotconsiderhowoftenCatholicscouldnotread，howoftenwhentheycould，theymightnotwishtoread。TheeventprovedthatwhethertheycouldreadornottheimmeasurablemajoritydidnotwishtoreadthelifeofthePope，thoughitwaswrittenbyadignitaryoftheChurchandissuedtotheworldwitheverysanctionfromtheVatican。
ThefailurewasincredibletoClemens；hissanguinesoulwasutterlyconfounded，andsoonasilencefelluponitwhereithadbeensoexuberantlyjubilant。
XIX。
TheoccasionswhichbroughtustoNewYorktogetherwerenotnearlysofrequentasthosewhichunitedusinBoston，buttherewasadinnergivenhimbyafriendwhichremainsmemorablefromthefatuityoftwomenpresent，sodifferentineverythingbuttheirfatuity。OnewasthesweetoldcomedianBillyFlorence，whowasurgingtheunsuccessfuldramatistacrossthetabletowritehimaplayaboutOliverCromwell，andgivingthereasonswhyhethoughthimselfpeculiarlyfittedtoportraythecharacterofCromwell。Theotherwasamodestlymillionedrichmanwhowasthenonlybeginningtoamassthemoneysafterwardheapedsohigh，andwasstillintheconditiontobeflatteredbythecondescensionofayetgreatermillionaire。HiscontributiontoourgaietywastheverbatimreportofacallhehadmadeuponWilliamH。Vanderbilt，whomhehadfoundjustaboutstartingoutoftown，withhistrunksactuallyinthefronthall，butwhohadstayedtoreceivethenarrator。Hehad，infact，satdownononeofthetrunks，andtalkedwiththeeasiestfriendliness，andquite，weweregiventoinfer，likeanordinaryhumanbeing。Clemensoftenkeptonwithsomethreadofthetalkwhenwecameawayfromadinner，butnowhewassilent，asif"highsorrowfulandcloyed"；anditwasnottillwellafterwardthatIfoundhehadnotedthefactsfromthebitternesswithwhichhemockedtherichman，andthepityheexpressedfortheactor。
Hehadbegunbeforethattoamassthoseevidencesagainstmankindwhicheventuatedwithhiminhistheoryofwhathecalled"thedamnedhumanrace。"Thiswasnotanexpressionofpiety，butofthekindcontempttowhichhewasdrivenbyourfolliesandiniquitiesashehadobservedtheminhimselfaswellasinothers。Itwasasmildamisanthropy，probably，asevercaressedtheobjectsofitsmalediction。ButIbelieveitwasabouttheyear1900thathissenseofourperditionbecameinsupportableandbrokeoutinamixedabhorrenceandamusementwhichsparednooccasion，sothatIcouldquiteunderstandwhyMrs。Clemensshouldhavefoundsomecompensation，whenkepttoherroombysickness，inthereflectionthatnowsheshouldnothearsomuchabout"thedamnedhumanrace。"Hetoldofthatwiththesamewildjoythathetoldofoverhearingherrepetitionofoneofhismostinclusiveprofanities，andherexplanationthatshemeanthimtohearitsothathemightknowhowitsounded。Thecontrastoftheluridblasphemywithherheavenlywhitenessshouldhavebeenenoughtocureanyonelessgroundedthanheinwhatmustbeownedwasasfixedahabitassmokingwithhim。WhenI
firstknewhimherarelyventedhisfuryinthatsort，andIfancyhewasunderapromisetoherwhichhekeptsacredtillthewearandtearofhisnerveswithadvancingyearsdisabledhim。Thenitwouldbelikehimtostrugglewithhimselftillhecouldstrugglenolongerandtoaskhispromiseback，anditwouldbelikehertogiveitback。Hisprofanitywastheheritageofhisboyhoodandyoungmanhoodinsocialconditionsandundertheduressofexigenciesinwhicheverybodysworeaboutasimpersonallyashesmoked。Itisbesttorecognizethefactofit，andI
dosothemorereadilybecauseIcannotsupposetheRecordingAngelreallymindeditmuchmorethanthatGuardian。Angelofhis。Itprobablygrievedthemaboutequally，buttheycouldequallyforgiveit。
Nothingcameofhisposeregarding"thedamnedhumanrace"excepthisinventionoftheHumanRaceLuncheonClub。Thiswasconfinedtofourpersonswhowereneverallgottogether，anditsoonperishedoftheirindifference。
IntheearlierdaysthatIhavemorespeciallyinmindoneofthequestionsthatweusedtodebateagooddealwaswhethereveryhumanmotivewasnotselfish。Weinquiredastoeveryimpulse，thenoblest，theholiestineffect，andhefoundtheminthelastanalysisofselfishorigin。PrettynearlythewholetimeofacertainrailroadrunfromNewYorktoHartfordwastakenupwiththescrutinyoftheself—sacrificeofamotherforherchild，oftheabandonoftheloverwhodiesinsavinghismistressfromfireorflood，ofthehero’scourageinthefieldandthemartyr’satthestake。Eachhefoundspringingfromtheunconsciousloveofselfandthedreadofthegreaterpainwhichtheself—sacrificerwouldsufferin—forbearingthesacrifice。Ifwehadanytimeleftfromthisinquirythatday，hemusthavedevotedittoahighregretthatNapoleondidnotcarryouthispurposeofinvadingEngland，forthenhewouldhavedestroyedthefeudalaristocracy，or"reformedthelords，"asitmightbecallednow。HethoughtthatwouldhavebeenanincalculableblessingtotheEnglishpeopleandtheworld。Clemenswasalwaysbeautifullyandunfalteringlyarepublican。NoneofhisoccasionalmisgivingsforAmericaimplicatedareturntomonarchy。YethefeltpassionatelythesplendoroftheEnglishmonarchy，andtherewasatimewhenhegloriedinthatfigurativepoetrybywhichthekingwasphrasedas"theMajestyofEngland。"Herolledthewordsdeep—throatedlyout，andexultedintheirbeautyasifitwerebeyondanyothergloryoftheworld。Heread，orreadat，Englishhistoryagreatdeal，andoneoftheby—productsofhisrestlessinventionwasagameofEnglishKings（likethegameofAuthors）forchildren。Idonotknowwhetherheeverperfectedthis，butIamquitesureitwasnotputuponthemarket。Verylikelyhebroughtittoapracticablestage，andthentiredofit，ashewasapttodointheultimationofhisvehementundertakings。
XX。
Hesatisfiedtheimpassioneddemandofhisnatureforincessantactivitiesofeverykindbytakingapersonalaswellasapecuniaryinterestintheinventionsofothers。Atonemoment"thedamnedhumanrace"wasalmosttoberedeemedbyaprocessoffoundingbrasswithoutairbubblesinit；ifthiscouldoncebeaccomplished，asIunderstood，ormisunderstood，brasscouldbeusedinart—printingtoadegreehithertoimpossible。IdaresayIhavegotitwrong，butIamnotmistakenastoClemens’senthusiasmfortheprocess，andhisheavylossesinpayingitswaytoultimatefailure。Hewassimultaneouslyabsorbedintheperfectionofatype—settingmachine，whichhewaspayingtheinventorasalarytobringtoaperfectionsoexpensivethatitwaspracticallyimpracticable。Wewerebothprintersbytrade，andIcouldtakethesameinterestinthiswonderfulpieceofmechanismthathecould；anditwassotrulywonderfulthatitdideverythingbutwalkandtalk。Itsingeniouscreatorwassobentuponrealizingthehighestidealinitthatheproducedamachineofquiteunimpeachableefficiency。Butitwassocostly，whenfinished，thatitcouldnotbemadeforlessthantwentythousanddollars，ifthepartsweremadebyhand。Thissumwasprohibitiveofitsintroduction，unlesstherequisitecapitalcouldbefoundformakingthepartsbymachinery，andClemensspentmanymonthsinvainlytryingtogetthismoneytogether。Inthemeantimesimplermachineshadbeeninventedandthemarketfilled，andhisinvestmentofthreehundredthousanddollarsinthebeautifulmiracleremainedpermanentbutnotprofitable。Ioncewentwithhimtowitnessitsperformance，anditdidseemtomethelastwordinitsway，butithadbeenspokentooexquisitely，toofastidiously。Ineverheardhimdevotetheinventortotheinfernalgods，ashewasapttodowiththegeniuseshelostmoneyby，andsoIthinkhedidnotregardhimasatraitor。
Inthesethings，andinhisotherschemesforthe’subitiguadagni’ofthespeculatorandthe"suddenmakingofsplendidnames"forthebenefactorsofourspecies，ClemenssatisfiedtheColonelSellersnatureinhimself（fromwhichhedrewthepictureofthatwildandlovablefigure），andperhapsmadeasgooduseofhismoneyashecould。Hedidnotcaremuchformoneyinitself，butheluxuriatedinthelavishuseofit，andhewasasgenerouswithitaseveramanwas。Helikedgivingit，buthecommonlyweariedofgivingithimself，andwhereverhelivedheestablishedanalmoner，whomhefullytrustedtokeephislefthandignorantofwhathisrighthandwasdoing。Ibelievehefeltnofinalityincharity，butdiditbecauseinitsprovisionalwayitwastheonlythingamancoulddo。Ineverheardhimgoreallyintoanysociologicalinquiry，andIhaveafeelingthatthatsortofthingbaffledanddispiritedhim。NoonecanreadTheConnecticutYankeeandnotbeawareofthelengthandbreadthofhissympathieswithpoverty，butapparentlyhehadnotthoughtoutanyschemeforrightingtheeconomicwrongsweaboundin。Icannotrememberourevergettingquitedowntoadiscussionofthematter；wecameverynearitonceinthedayofthevastwaveofemotionsentovertheworldby’LookingBackward，’andagainwhenwewereallsotroubledbythegreatcoalstrikeinPennsylvania；inconsideringthatheseemedtobeforthetimedoubtfulofthejusticeoftheworkingman’scause。Atallothertimesheseemedtoknowthatwhateverwrongstheworkingmancommittedworkwasalwaysintheright。
WhenClemensreturnedtoAmericawithhisfamily，afterlecturingroundtheworld，IagainsawhiminNewYork，whereIsooftensawhimwhilehewasshapinghimselfforthatheroicenterprise。Hewouldcometome，andtalksorrowfullyoverhisfinancialruin，andpictureittohimselfasthestuffofsomeunhappydream，which，afterlongprosperity，hadculminatedthewrongway。Itwasverymelancholy，verytouching，butthesorrowtowhichhehadcomehomefromhislongjourneyhadnotthatforlornbewildermentinit。Hewaslookingwonderfullywell，andwhenI
wantedthenameofhiselixir，hesaiditwasplasmon。Hewasapt，foramanwhohadputfaithsodecidedlyawayfromhim，totakeitbackandpinittosomesuperstition，usuallyofahygienicsort。Once，whenhewaswelloninyears，hecametoNewYorkwithoutglasses，andannouncedthatheandallhisfamily，soastigmaticandmyopicandold—sighted，had，sotospeak，burnedtheirspectaclesbehindthemupontheinstructionofsomesagewhohadfoundoutthattheywereadelusion。Thenexttimehecameheworespectaclesfreely，almostostentatiously，andIheardfromothersthatthewholeClemensfamilyhadbeennearlosingtheireyesightbythemiracleworkedintheirbehalf。Now，Iwasnotsurprisedtolearnthat"thedamnedhumanrace"wastobesavedbyplasmon，ifanything，andthatmyfirstdutywastovisittheplasmonagencywithhim，andprocureenoughplasmontosecuremyfamilyagainsttheillsitwasheirtoforevermore。Ididnotimmediatelyunderstandthatplasmonwasoneoftheinvestmentswhichhehadmadefrom"thesubstanceofthingshopedfor，"
andinthedestinyofadisastrousdisappointment。Butafterpayingoffthecreditorsofhislatepublishingfirm，hehadtodosomethingwithhismoney，anditwasnothisfaultifhedidnotmakeafortuneoutofplasmon。
XXI。
ForatimeitwasaquestionwhetherheshouldnotgobackwithhisfamilytotheiroldhomeinHartford。Perhapsthefather’sandmother’sheartsdrewthemthereallthemorestronglybecauseofthegriefwrittenineffaceablyoverit，butfortheyoungeronesitwasnolongerthemeasureoftheworld。ItwaseasierforalltostayonindefinitelyinNewYork，whichisasojournwithoutcircumstance，andequallythehomeofexileandofindecision。TheClemensestookapleasant，spacioushouseatRiverdale，ontheHudson，andthereIbegantoseethemagainonsomethinglikethesweetoldterms。Theylivedfarmoreunpretentiouslythantheyused，andIthinkwithanotionofeconomy，whichtheyhadneververysuccessfullypractised。IrecallthatattheendofacertainyearinHartford，whentheyhadbeensavingandpayingcashforeverything，Clemenswrote，remindingmeoftheiravowedexperiment，andaskingmetoguesshowmanybillstheyhadatNewYear’s；hehastenedtosaythatahorse—carwouldnothaveheldthem。AtRiverdaletheykeptnocarriage，andtherewasasnowynightwhenIdroveuptotheirhandsomeoldmansioninthestationcarryall，whichwascrustedwithmudasfromthegoingdownoftheDelugeaftertransportingNoahandhisfamilyfromtheArktowhateverpointtheydecidedtosettleatprovisionally。Butthegoodtalk，therichtalk，thetalkthatcouldneversufferpovertyofmindorsoul，wasthere，andwejubilantlyfoundourselvesagaininourmiddleyouth。ItwasthemightymomentwhenClemenswasbuildinghisenginesofwarforthedestructionofChristianScience，whichsuperstitionnobody，andheleastofall，expectedtodestroy。ItwouldnotbeeasytosaywhetherinhistalkofithisdisgustfortheilliteratetwaddleofMrs。Eddy’sbook，orhisadmirationofhergeniusfororganizationwasthegreater。HebelievedthatasareligiousmachinetheChristianScienceChurchwasasperfectastheRomanChurchanddestinedtobe，moreformidableinitscontrolofthemindsofmen。
HelookedforitsspreadoverthewholeofChristendom，andthroughoutthewinterhespentatRiverdalehewasreadytomeetalllistenersmorethanhalf—waywithhisconvictionsofitspowerfulgraspoftheaveragehumandesiretogetsomethingfornothing。Thevacuousvulgarityofitstextswasaperpetualjoytohim，whilehebowedwithseriousrespecttothesagacitywhichbuiltsosecurelyupontheeverlastingrockofhumancredulityandfolly。
Aninterestingphaseofhispsychologyinthisbusinesswasnotonlyhisadmirationforthemasterly，policyoftheChristianSciencehierarchy，buthiswillingnesstoallowthemiraclesofitshealerstobetriedonhisfriendsandfamily，iftheywishedit。Hehadatenderheartforthewholegenerationofempirics，aswellasthenewersortsofscientitians，butheseemedtobasehisfaithinthemlargelyuponthefailureoftheregularsratherthanupontheirownsuccesses，whichalsohebelievedin。
Hewasrecurrently，butnotinsistently，desirousthatyoushouldtrytheirstrangemagicswhenyouweregoingtotrythefamiliarmedicines。
XXII。
Theorderofmyacquaintance，orcallitintimacy，withClemenswasthis：
ourfirstmeetinginBoston，myvisitstohiminHartford，hisvisitstomeinCambridge，inBelmont，andinBoston，ourbrieferandlessfrequentmeetingsinParisandNewYork，allwithrepeatedinterruptionsthroughmyabsencesinEurope，andhissojournsinLondon，Berlin，Vienna，andFlorence，andhisflightstothemanyends，andoddsandends，oftheearth。Iwillnottrytofollowtheevents，iftheywerenotratherthesubjectiveexperiences，ofthosedifferentperiodsandpointsoftimewhichImustnotfailtomakeincludehissummeratYorkHarbor，andhisdiversresidencesinNewYork，onTenthStreetandonFifthAvenue，atRiverdale，andatStormfield，whichhisdaughterhastoldmehelovedbestofallhishousesandhopedtomakehishomeforlongyears。
NotmuchremainstomeoftheweekorsothatwehadtogetherinParisearlyinthesummerof1904。ThefirstthingIgotatmybankerswasacablemessageannouncingthatmyfatherwasstrickenwithparalysis，buturgingmystayforfurtherintelligence，andIwentabout，tillthefinalsummonscame，withmyheadinamistofcareanddread。Clemenswasverykindandbrotherlythroughitall。HewaslivinggreatlytohismindinoneofthosearcadedlittlehotelsintheRuedeRivoli，andhewasfreefromallhouseholddutiestorangewithme。Wedrovetogethertomakecallsofdigestionatmanyhouseswherehehadgotindigestionthroughhisreluctancefromtheirhospitality，forhehateddiningout。But，asheexplained，hiswifewantedhimtomakethesevisits，andhedidit，ashedideverythingshewanted。’Atoneplace，somesuburbanvilla，hecouldgetnoanswertohisring，andhe"hove"hiscardsoverthegatejustasitopened，andhehadtheshameofexplaininginhisunexplanatoryFrenchtothemanpickingthemup。Hewasexcruciatinglyhelplesswithhiscabmen，butbyverycordiallysmilingandcastinghimselfonthedrivers’mercyhealwaysmanagedtogetwherehewanted。
Thefamilywasonthevergeoftheirmanymoves，andhewasdoingsomesmallerrands；hesaidthattheothersdidthemainthings，andlefthimtodowhatthecatmight。
Itwaswiththatreturnuponthebuoyantbillowofplasmon，renewedinlookandlimb，thatClemens’suniversallypervasivepopularitybeganinhisowncountry。HehadhithertobeenmoreintelligentlyacceptedormorelargelyimaginedinEurope，andIsupposeitwasmysenseofthisthatinspiredthestupidityofmysayingtohimwhenwecametoconsider"thestateofpolitelearning"amongus，"Youmustn’texpectpeopletokeepituphereastheydoinEngland。"Butitappearedthathiscountrymenwereonlywantingthechance，andtheykeptitupinhonorofhimpastallprecedent。Onedoesnotgointoacatalogueofdinners，receptions，meetings，speeches，andthelike，whentherearemorevitalthingstospeakof。Helovedtheseobviousjoys，andheeagerlystrovewiththeoccasionstheygavehimforthebrilliancywhichseemedsoexhaustlessandwassoexhausting。Hisfriendssawthathewaswearinghimselfout，anditwasnotbecauseofMrs。Clemens’shealthalonethattheyweregladtohavehimtakerefugeatRiverdale。Thefamilylivedtheretwohappy，hopelessyears，andthenitwasorderedthattheyshouldchangeforhiswife’ssaketosomelessexactingclimate。ClemenswasnoteagertogotoFlorence，buthisimaginationwastakenasitwouldhavebeenintheold—youngdaysbythenotionofpackinghisfurnitureintoflexiblesteelcagesfromhishouseinHartfordandunpackingitfromthemuntouchedathisvillainFiesole。Hegotwhatpleasureanymancouldoutofthattriumphofmindovermatter，buttheshadowwascreepinguphislife。Onesunnyafternoonwesatonthegrassbeforethemansion，afterhiswifehadbeguntogetwellenoughforremoval，andwelookeduptowardabalconywhereby—and—bythatlovelypresencemadeitselfvisible，asifithadstoopedtherefromacloud。Ahandfraillywavedahandkerchief；Clemensranoverthelawntowardit，callingtenderly："What？What？"asifitmightbeanaskingforhiminsteadofthegreetingitreallywasforme。ItwasthelasttimeIsawher，ifindeedIcanbesaidtohaveseenherthen，andlongafterwardwhenI
saidhowbeautifulweallthoughther，howgood，howwise，howwonderfullyperfectineveryrelationoflife，hecriedoutinabreakingvoice："Oh，whydidn’tyouevertellher？Shethoughtyoudidn’tlikeher。"Whatapangitwasthennottohavetoldher，buthowcouldwehavetoldher？Hisunreasonendearedhimtomemorethanallhiswisdom。
TothatRiverdalesojournbelongmyimpressionsofhismostviolentanti—
ChristianSciencerages，whichbeganwiththepostponementofhisbook，andsoftenedintoacceptanceofthedelaytillhehadwell—nighforgottenhiswrathwhenitcomeout。Therewasalsooneofthosejointepisodesofours，which，strangelyenough，didnoteventuateinentirefailure，asmostofourjointepisodesdid。Hewrotefuriouslytomeofawrongwhichhadbeendonetooneofthemosthelplessandoneofthemosthelpedofourliterarybrethren，askingmetojoinwithhiminrecoveringthemoneypaidoverbythatbrother’spublishertoafalsefriendwhohadwithhelditandwouldnotgiveanyaccountofit。OurhaplessbrotherhadappealedtoClemens，ashehadtome，withthefacts，butnotaskingourhelp，probablybecauseheknewheneednotask；andClemensenclosedtomeaverytaking—by—the—throatmessagewhichheproposedsendingtothefalsefriend。ForonceIhadsomesense，andansweredthatthiswouldneverdo，forwehadreallynopowerinthematter，andIcontrivedalettertotherecreantsosoftlydiplomaticthatIshallalwaysthinkofitwithpridewhenmyhonestiesnolongergivemesatisfaction，sayingthatthisincidenthadcometoourknowledge，andsuggestingthatwefeltsurehewouldnotfinallywishtowithholdthemoney。Nothingmore，practically，thanthat，butthatwasenough；therecamepromptlybackaletterofjustification，coveringaverysubstantialcheck，whichwehilariouslyforwardedtoourbeneficiary。ButthehelplessmanwhowassousedtobeinghelpeddidnotanswerwiththegladnessI，atleast，expectedofhim。Heacknowledgedthecheckashewouldanyordinarypayment，andthenhemadeusobservethattherewasstillalargesumduehimoutofthemoneyswithheld。AtthispointIproposedtoClemensthatweshouldletthenonchalantvictimcollecttheremnanthimself。Cloudsofsorrowhadgatheredaboutthebowedheadofthedelinquentsincewebeganonhim，andmyficklesympathieswereturninghiswayfromthevictimwhowasreallytoblameforleavinghisaffairssounguardedlytohiminthefirstplace。Clemensmadesomesortofgritassent，andwedroppedthematter。HewasmoreusedtoingratitudefromthosehehelpedthanIwas，whofoundbeinglaindownuponnotsoamusingashefoundmyrevolt。HereckonedIwasright，hesaid，andafterthatIthinkweneverrecurredtotheincident。Itwasnotingratitudethatheeverminded；itwastreachery，thatreallymaddenedhimpastforgiveness。
XXIII。
DuringthesummerhespentatYorkHarborIwasonlyfortyminutesawayatKitteryPoint，andwesaweachotheroften；butthiswasbeforethelasttimeatRiverdale。Hehadawide，lowcottageinapinegroveoverlookingYorkRiver，andweusedtositatacorneroftheverandafarthestawayfromMrs。Clemens’swindow，wherewecouldreadourmanuscriptstoeachother，andtellourstories，andlaughourheartsoutwithoutdisturbingher。Atfirstshehadbeenaboutthehouse，andtherewasonegentleafternoonwhenshemadeteaforusintheparlor，butthatwasthelasttimeIspokewithher。AfterthatitwasreallyaquestionofhowsoonestandeasiestshecouldbegotbacktoRiverdale；but，ofcourse，therewerespeciousdelaysinwhichsheseemednoworseandseemedalittlebetter，andClemenscouldworkatanovelhehadbegun。
Hehadtakenaroominthehouseofafriendandneighbor，afishermanandboatman；therewasatablewherehecouldwrite，andabedwherehecouldliedownandread；andthere，unlessmymemoryhasplayedmeoneofthoseconstructivetricksthatpeople’smemoriesindulgein，hereadmethefirstchaptersofanadmirablestory。ThescenewaslaidinaMissouritown，andthecharacterssuchashehadknowninboyhood；butasoftenasItriedtomakehimownit，hedeniedhavingwrittenanysuchstory；itispossiblethatIdreamedit，butIhopetheMS。willyetbefound。UponreflectionIcannotbelievethatIdreamedit，andIcannotbelievethatitwasaneffectofthatsortofpseudomnemonicswhichI
havementioned。Thecharactersinthenovelaretooclearlyoutlinedinmyrecollection，togetherwithsomecriticalreservationsofmyownconcerningthem。Notonlydoesheseemtohavereadmethosefirstchapters，buttohavetalkedthemoverwithmeandoutlinedthewholestory。
Icannotsaywhetherornothebelievedthathiswifewouldrecover；hefoughtthefearofherdeathtotheend；forherlifewasfarmorelargelyhisthanthelivesofmostmen’swivesaretheirs。ForhisownlifeIbelievehewouldneverhavemuchcared，ifImaytrustasayingofonewhowassoabsolutelywithoutposeashewas。Hesaidthatheneversawadeadmanwhomhedidnotenvyforhavinghaditoverandbeingdonewithit。Lifehadalwaysamusedhim，andintheresurgenceofitsinterestsafterhissorrowhadebbedawayhewasagaindeeplyinterestedintheworldandinthehumanrace，which，thoughdamned，aboundedinsubjectsofcuriousinquiry。Whenthetimecameforhiswife’sremovalfromYorkHarborIwentwithhimtoBoston，wherehewishedtolookupthebestmeansofherconveyancetoNewYork。Theinquiryabsorbedhim：
thesortofinvalidcarhecouldget；howshecouldbecarriedtothevillagestation；howthecarcouldbedetachedfromtheeasterntrainatBostonandcarriedroundtothesoutherntrainontheothersideofthecity，andthenhowitcouldbeattachedtotheHudsonRivertrainatNewYorkandleftatRiverdale。Therewasnoparticularofthebusinesswhichhedidnotscrutinizeandmaster，notonlywithhispoignantconcernforherwelfare，butwithhisstrongcuriosityastohowtheseunusualthingsweredonewiththeusualmeans。Withtheinertnessthatgrowsuponanagingmanhehadbeenusedtodelegatingmoreandmorethings，butofthatthingIperceivedthathewouldnotdelegatetheleastdetail。
Hehadmeantnevertogoabroadagain，butwhenitcametimetogohedidnotlookforwardtoreturning；heexpectedtoliveinFlorencealwaysafterthat；theywereusedtothelifeandtheyhadbeenhappytheresomeyearsearlierbeforehewentwithhiswifeforthecureofNauheim。Butwhenhecamehomeagainitwasforgoodandall。ItwasnaturalthatheshouldwishtoliveinNewYork，wheretheyhadalreadyhadapleasantyearinTenthStreet。Iusedtoseehimthereinanupperroom，lookingsouthoveraquietopenspaceofbackyardswherewefoughtourbattlesinbehalfoftheFilipinosandtheBoers，andhecarriedonhiscampaignagainstthemissionariesinChina。Hehadnotyetformedhishabitoflyingforwholedaysinbedandreadingandwritingthere，yethewasagooddealinbed，fromweakness，Isuppose，andforthemerecomfortofit。
Myperspectivesarenotveryclear，andintheforeshorteningofeventswhichalwaystakesplaceinourreviewofthepastImaynotalwaystimethingsaright。ButIbelieveitwasnotuntilhehadtakenhishouseat21FifthAvenuethathebegantotalktomeofwritinghisautobiography。
Hemeantthatitshouldbeaperfectlyveraciousrecordofhislifeandperiod；forthefirsttimeinliteraturethereshouldbeatruehistoryofamanandatruepresentationofthementhemanhadknown。Aswetalkeditovertheschemeenlargeditselfinourriotousfancy。Wesaiditshouldbenotonlyabook，itshouldbealibrary，notonlyalibrary，butaliterature。Itshouldmakegoodtheworld’slossthroughOmar’sbarbarityatAlexandria；therewasnoimagesogrotesque，soextravagantthatwedidnotplaywithit；andtheworksofarashecarrieditwasreallydoneonacolossalscale。Butonedayhesaidthatastoveracityitwasafailure；hehadbeguntolie，andthatifnomaneveryettoldthetruthabouthimselfitwasbecausenomanevercould。HowfarhehadcarriedhisautobiographyIcannotsay；hedictatedthematterseveralhourseachday；andthepublichasalreadyseenlongpassagesfromit，andcanjudge，probably，ofthemakeandmatterofthewholefromthese。
Itisimmenselyinclusive，anditobservesnoorderorsequence。Whethernow，afterhisdeath，itwillbepublishedsoonorlateIhavenomeansofknowing。Onceortwicehesaidinavaguewaythatitwasnottobepublishedfortwentyyears，sothatthediscomfortofpublicitymightbeminimizedforallthesurvivors。Suddenlyhetoldmehewasnotworkingatit；butIdidnotunderstandwhetherhehadfinisheditormerelydroppedit；Ineverasked。
Welivedinthesamecity，butforoldmenratherfarapart，heatTenthStreetandIatSeventieth，andwithourcoldsandotherdisabilitieswedidnotseeeachotheroften。Heexpectedmetocometohim，andIwouldnotwithoutsomereturnofmyvisits，butweneverceasedtobefriends，andgoodfriends，sofarasIknow。IjokedhimonceastohowIwasgoingtocomeoutinhisautobiography，andhegavemesomesortofjokingreassurance。Therewasoneincident，however，thatbroughtusveryfrequentlyandactivelytogether。HecameoneSundayafternoontohavemecallwithhimonMaximGorky，whowasstayingatahotelafewstreetsabovemine。WewerebothinterestedinGorky，ClemensrathermoreasarevolutionistandIasarealist，thoughItoowishedtheRussianTsarill，andthenovelistwellinhismissiontotheRussiansympathizersinthisrepublic。ButIhadlivedthroughtheepisodeofKossuth’svisittousandhisvainendeavortoraisefundsfortheHungariancausein1851，whenwewereayoungerandnoblernationthannow，withheartsifnothands，openertothe"oppressedofEurope"；theoppressedofAmerica，thefourorfivemillionsofslaves，wedidnotcount。IdidnotbelievethatGorkycouldgetthemoneyforthecauseoffreedominRussiawhichhehadcometoget；asItoldavaluedfriendofhisandmine，Ididnotbelievehecouldgettwenty—fivehundreddollars，andIthinknowIsetthefiguretoohigh。IhadalreadyrefusedtosignthesortofgeneralappealhisfriendsweremakingtoourprinciplesandpocketsbecauseIfeltitsowhollyidle，andwhenthepaperwasproducedinGorky’spresenceandClemensputhisnametoitIstillrefused。ThenextdayGorkywasexpelledfromhishotelwiththewomanwhowasnothiswife，butwho，Iamboundtosay，didnotlookasifshewerenot，atleasttome，whoam，however，notversedinthoseaspectsofhumannature。
Imighthaveescapedunnoted，butClemens’sfamiliarheadgaveusawaytothereporterswaitingattheelevator’smouthforallwhowenttoseeGorky。Asitwas，ahuntofinterviewersensuedforusseverallyandjointly。Icouldremainaloofinmyhotelapartment，returninganswertosuchguardiansofthepublicrighttoknoweverythingthatIhadnothingtosayofGorky’sdomesticaffairs；forthepublicinteresthadnowstrayedfarfromtherevolution，andcentredentirelyuponthese。ButwithClemensitwasdifferent；helivedinahousewithastreetdoorkeptbyasinglebutler，andhewasconstantlyrungfor。Iforgethowlongthesiegelasted，butlongenoughforustohavefunwithit。ThatwasthemomentofthegreatVesuvianeruption，andwefiguredourselvesineasyreachofavolcanowhichwaseverynowandthen"blowingaconeoff，"asthetelegraphicphrasewas。TheroofofthegreatmarketinNapleshadjustbrokeninunderitsloadofashesandcinders，andcrashedhundredsofpeople；andweaskedeachotherifwewerenotsorrywehadnotbeenthere，wherethepressurewouldhavebeenfarlessterrificthanitwaswithusinFifthAvenue。TheforbiddenbutlercameupwithamessagethatthereweresomegentlemenbelowwhowantedtoseeClemens。
"Howmany？"hedemanded。
"Five，"thebutlerfaltered。
"Reporters？"
Thebutlerfeigneduncertainty。
"Whatwouldyoudo？"heaskedme。
"Iwouldn’tseethem，"Isaid，andthenClemenswentdirectlydowntothem。HoworbywhatmeansheappeasedtheirvoracityIcannotsay，butIfancyitwasbytheconfessionoftheexacttruth，whichwasharmlessenough。Theywentawayjoyfully，andhecamebackinradiantsatisfactionwithhavingseenthem。OfcoursehewasrightandIwrong，andhewasrightastothepointatissuebetweenGorkyandthosewhohadhelplesslytreatedhimwithsuchcruelignominy。InAmericaitisnottheconventionformentoliveopenlyinhotelswithwomenwhoarenottheirwives。Gorkyhadviolatedthisconventionandhehadtopaythepenalty；andconcerningthedestructionofhisefficiencyasanemissaryoftherevolution，hisblunderwasworsethanacrime。
XXIV。
TotheperiodofClemens’sresidenceinFifthAvenuebelongshisefflorescenceinwhiteserge。Hewasalwaysratheraggressivelyindifferentaboutdress，andataveryearlydateinouracquaintanceAldrichandIattemptedhisreformbyclubbingtobuyhimacravat。
Buthewouldnotputawayhisstifflittleblackbow，anduntilheimaginedthesuitofwhiteserge，heworealwaysasuitofblackserge，trulydeplorableinthecutofthesaggingfrock。Afterhismeasurehadoncebeentakenherefusedtomakehisclothestheoccasionofpersonalinterviewswithhistailor；hesentthestuffbythekindelderlywomanwhohadbeenintheserviceofthefamilyfromtheearliestdaysofhismarriage，andacceptedtheresultwithoutcriticism。Butthewhitesergewasaninspirationwhichfewmenwouldhavehadthecouragetoactupon。
ThefirsttimeIsawhimwearitwasattheauthors’hearingbeforetheCongressionalCommitteeonCopyrightinWashington。Nothingcouldhavebeenmoredramaticthanthegesturewithwhichheflungoffhislonglooseovercoat，andstoodforthinwhitefromhisfeettothecrownofhissilveryhead。Itwasamagnificentcoup，andhedearlylovedacoup；
butthemagnificentspeechwhichhemade，tearingtoshredsthevenerablefarragoofnonsenseaboutnonpropertyinideaswhichhadformedthebasisofallcopyrightlegislation，madeyouforgetevenhisspectacularity。
ItiswellknownhowproudhewasofhisOxfordgown，notmerelybecauseitsymbolizedthehonorinwhichhewasheldbythehighestliterarybodyintheworld，butbecauseitwassorichandsobeautiful。TheredandthelavenderoftheclothflatteredhiseyesasthesilkenblackofthesamedegreeofDoctorofLetters，givenhimyearsbeforeatYale，couldnotdo。Hisfrank，defianthappinessinit，mixedwithaduesenseofburlesque，wassomethingthatthoselackinghispoet—soulcouldneverimagine；theyaccounteditvain，weak；butthatwouldnothavematteredtohimifhehadknownit。InhisLondonsojournhehadformedthetop—
hathabit，andforawhileheloungedsplendidlyupanddownFifthAvenueinthatsocietyemblem；butheseemedtotireofit，andtoreturnkindlytothesofthatofhisSouthwesterntradition。
Hedislikedclubs；Idon’tknowwhetherhebelongedtoanyinNewYork，butInevermethiminone。AsIhavetold，hehimselfhadformedtheHumanRaceClub，butashenevercouldgetittogetherithardlycounted。
TherewastohavebeenameetingofitthetimeofmyonlyvisittoStormfieldinApriloflastyear；butofthreewhoweretohavecomeI
alonecame。Wegotonverywellwithouttheabsentees，afterfindingtheminthewrong，asusual，andthevisitwaslikethoseIusedtohavewithhimsomanyyearsbeforeinHartford，buttherewasnottheoldfermentofsubjects。Manythingshadbeendiscussedandputawayforgood，butwehadouroldfondnessfornatureandforeachother，whoweresodifferentlypartsofit。Heshowedhisabsolutecontentwithhishouse，andthatwasthegreaterpleasureformebecauseitwasmysonwhodesignedit。Thearchitecthadbeensofortunateastobeabletoplanitwhereanaturalavenueofsavins，thecloseknit，slender，cypress—likecedarsofNewEngland，ledawayfromtherearofthevillatothelittlelevelofapergola，meantsomedaytobewreathedandroofedwithvines。
Butintheearlyspringdaysallthelandscapewasinthebeautifulnakednessofthenorthernwinter。Itopenedinthesurpassinglovelinessofwoodedandmeadoweduplands，underskiesthatwerethefirstdaysblue，andthelastgrayoverarainyandthenasnowyfloor。Wewalkedupanddown，upanddown，betweenthevillaterraceandthepergola，andtalkedwiththemelancholyamusement，thesadtoleranceofageforthesortofmenandthingsthatusedtoexciteusorenrageus；nowwewerefarpastturbulenceoranger。Oncewetookawalktogetheracrosstheyellowpasturestoachasmalcreekonhisgrounds，wheretheicestillknittheclayeybankstogetherlikecrystalmosses；andthestreamfardownclashedthroughandoverthestonesandtheshardsofice。Clemenspointedoutthesceneryhehadboughttogivehimselfelbow—room，andshowedmethelothewasgoingtohavemebuildon。ThenextdaywecameagainwiththegeologisthehadaskeduptoStormfieldtoanalyzeitsrocks。Trulyhelovedtheplace，thoughhehadbeensowearyofchangeandsoindifferenttoitthatheneversawittillhecametoliveinit。
Heleftitalltothearchitectwhomhehadknownfromachildintheintimacywhichboundourfamiliestogether，thoughwebodilylivedfarenoughapart。Ilovedhislittleonesandhewassweettomineandwastheirdelighted—inandwondered—atfriend。Onceandonceagain，andyetagainandagain，theblackshadowthatshallneverbeliftedwhereitfalls，fellinhishouseandinmine，duringthefortyyearsandmorethatwewerefriends，andendearedusthemoretoeachother。
XXV。
MyvisitatStormfieldcametoanendwithtenderreluctingonhispartandonmine。EverymorningbeforeIdressedIheardhimsoundingmynamethroughthehouseforthefunofitandIknowforthefondness；andifI
lookedoutofmydoor，therehewasinhislongnightgownswayingupanddownthecorridor，andwagginghisgreatwhiteheadlikeaboythatleaveshisbedandcomesoutinthehopeoffrolicwithsomeone。Thelastmorningasoftsugarsnowhadfallenandwasfalling，andIdrovethroughitdowntothestationinthecarriagewhichhadbeengivenhimbyhiswife’sfatherwhentheywerefirstmarried，andbeenkeptallthoseinterveningyearsinhonorableretirementforthisfinaluse。Itsspringshadnotgrownyieldingwithtime；ithadratherthestiffnessandseverityofage；butforhimitmusthaveswunglowlikethesweetchariotofthenegro"spiritual"whichIheardhimsingwithsuchfervor，whenthosewonderfulhymnsoftheslavesbegantomaketheirwaynorthward。’GoDown，Daniel’，wasoneinwhichIcanhearhisquaveringtenornow。Hewasaloverofthethingsheliked，andfullofapassionforthemwhichsatisfieditselfinreadingthemmatchlesslyaloud。Noonecouldread’UncleRemus’likehim；hisvoiceechoedthevoicesofthenegronurseswhotoldhischildhoodthewonderfultales。IrememberespeciallyhisrapturewithMr。Cable’s’OldCreoleDays，’andthethrillingforcewithwhichhegavetheforbiddingoftheleper’sbrotherwhenthecity’ssurveyranthecourseofanavenuethroughthecottagewheretheleperlivedinhiding："Stritmustnotpass!"
OutofanaturerichandfertilebeyondanyIhaveknown，thematerialgivenhimbytheMysterythatmakesamanandthenleaveshimtomakehimselfover，hewroughtacharacterofhighnobilityuponafoundationofclearandsolidtruth。Atthelastdayhewillnothavetoconfessanything，forallhislifewasthefreeknowledgeofanyonewhowouldaskhimofit。TheSearcherofheartswillnotbringhimtoshameatthatday，forhedidnottrytohideanyofthethingsforwhichhewasoftensobitterlysorry。HeknewwheretheResponsibilitylay，andhetookaman’sshareofitbravely；butnotthelessfearlesslyhelefttherestoftheanswertotheGodwhohadimaginedmen。
ItisinvainthatItrytogiveanotionoftheintensitywithwhichhepiercedtotheheartoflife，andthebreadthofvisionwithwhichhecompassedthewholeworld，andtriedforthereasonofthings，andthenlefttrying。Wehadothermeetings，insignificantlysadandbrief；butthelasttimeIsawhimalivewasmadememorabletomebythekind，clearjudicialsensewithwhichheexplainedandjustifiedthelabor—unionsasthesolepresenthelpoftheweakagainstthestrong。
NextIsawhimdead，lyinginhiscoffinamidthoseflowerswithwhichwegarlandourdespairinthatpitilesshour。AfterthevoiceofhisoldfriendTwichellhadbeenliftedintheprayerwhichitwailedthroughinbroken—heartedsupplication，IlookedamomentatthefaceIknewsowell；anditwaspatientwiththepatienceIhadsooftenseeninit：
somethingofpuzzle，agreatsilentdignity，anassenttowhatmustbefromthedepthsofanaturewhosetragicalseriousnessbrokeinthelaughterwhichtheunwisetookforthewholeofhim。Emerson，Longfellow，Lowell，Holmes——Iknewthemallandalltherestofoursages，poets，seers，critics，humorists；theywerelikeoneanotherandlikeotherliterarymen；butClemenswassole，incomparable，theLincolnofourliterature。