登陆注册
5380500000228

第228章

It is under way, now, and it is a luxury! an intellectual drunk: Twice Ididn't start it right; and got pretty far in, both times, before I found it out.But I am sure it is started right this time.It is in tale-form.I believe I can make it tell what I think of Man, and how he is constructed, and what a shabby poor ridiculous thing he is, and how mistaken he is in his estimate of his character and powers and qualities and his place among the animals.

So far, I think I am succeeding.I let the madam into the secret day before yesterday, and locked the doors and read to her the opening chapters.She said--"It is perfectly horrible--and perfectly beautiful!""Within the due limits of modesty, that is what I think."I hope it will take me a year or two to write it, and that it will turn out to be the right vessel to contain all the abuse I am planning to dump into it.

Yours ever MARK.

The story mentioned in the foregoing, in which Mark Twain was to give his opinion of man, was The Mysterious Stranger.It was not finished at the time, and its closing chapter was not found until after his death.Six years later (1916) it was published serially in Harper's Magazine, and in book form.

The end of May found the Clemens party in London, where they were received and entertained with all the hospitality they had known in earlier years.Clemens was too busy for letter-writing, but in the midst of things he took time to report to Howells an amusing incident of one of their entertainments.

To W.D.Howells, in America:

LONDON, July 3, '99

DEAR HOWELLS,--.....I've a lot of things to write you, but it's no use--I can't get time for anything these days.I must break off and write a postscript to Canon Wilberforce before I go to bed.This afternoon he left a luncheon-party half an hour ahead of the rest, and carried off my hat (which has Mark Twain in a big hand written in it.) When the rest of us came out there was but one hat that would go on my head--it fitted exactly, too.So wore it away.It had no name in it, but the Canon was the only man who was absent.I wrote him a note at 8 p.m.; saying that for four hours I had not been able to take anything that did not belong to me, nor stretch a fact beyond the frontiers of truth, and my family were getting alarmed.Could he explain my trouble? And now at 8.30 p.m.

comes a note from him to say that all the afternoon he has been exhibiting a wonder-compelling mental vivacity and grace of expression, etc., etc., and have I missed a hat? Our letters have crossed.

Yours ever MARK.

News came of the death of Robert Ingersoll.Clemens had been always one of his most ardent admirers, and a warm personal friend.To Ingersoll's niece he sent a word of heartfelt sympathy.

To Miss Eva Farrell, in New York:

30 WELLINGTON COURT, ALBERT GATE.

DEAR MISS FARRELL,--Except my daughter's, I have not grieved for any death as I have grieved for his.His was a great and beautiful spirit, he was a man--all man from his crown to his foot soles.My reverence for him was deep and genuine; I prized his affection for me and returned it with usury.

Sincerely Yours, S.L.CLEMENS.

Clemens and family decided to spend the summer in Sweden, at Sauna, in order to avail themselves of osteopathic treatment as practised by Heinrick Kellgren.Kellgren's method, known as the "Swedish movements," seemed to Mark Twain a wonderful cure for all ailments, and he heralded the discovery far and wide.He wrote to friends far and near advising them to try Kellgren for anything they might happen to have.Whatever its beginning, any letter was likely to close with some mention of the new panacea.

To Rev.J.H.Twichell, traveling in Europe:

SANNA, Sept.6, '99.

DEAR JOE,--I've no business in here--I ought to be outside.I shall never see another sunset to begin with it this side of heaven.Venice?

land, what a poor interest that is! This is the place to be.I have seen about 60 sunsets here; and a good 40 of them were clear and away beyond anything I had ever imagined before for dainty and exquisite and marvellous beauty and infinite change and variety.America? Italy? The tropics? They have no notion of what a sunset ought to be.And this one--this unspeakable wonder! It discounts all the rest.It brings the tears, it is so unutterably beautiful.

If I had time, I would say a word about this curative system here.The people actually do several of the great things the Christian Scientists pretend to do.You wish to advise with a physician about it? Certainly.

There is no objection.He knows next to something about his own trade, but that will not embarrass him in framing a verdict about this one.

I respect your superstitions--we all have them.It would be quite natural for the cautious Chinaman to ask his native priest to instruct him as to the value of the new religious specialty which the Western missionary is trying to put on the market, before investing in it.(He would get a verdict.)Love to you all!

Always Yours MARK.

Howells wrote that he was going on a reading-tour-dreading it, of course-and asking for any advice that Clemens felt qualified to give.Naturally, Clemens gave him the latest he had in stock, without realizing, perhaps, that he was recommending an individual practice which few would be likely to imitate.Nevertheless, what he says is interesting.

To W.D.Howells, in America:

SANNA, SWEDEN, Sept.26, '99.

同类推荐
  • 佛说称扬诸佛功德经

    佛说称扬诸佛功德经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 伤寒兼证析义

    伤寒兼证析义

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 赠元和十三年登第进

    赠元和十三年登第进

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Other Things Being Equal

    Other Things Being Equal

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 孙真人摄养论

    孙真人摄养论

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 心情好病就少

    心情好病就少

    《心情好病就少》从医学和心理学的角度出发,用通俗易懂的文字,全面而科学地阐述了情绪与健康的重要关系。心理学家研究发现,那些性格开朗、为人随和、豁达乐观、充满爱心的人,很少得流感、咽炎、伤风等疾病,即使得病后也很快痊愈,且不易复发。相反,那些自以为是、自怨自艾、刚愎自用、悲观多疑、心胸狭窄、缺乏自信、神经过敏的人,其身体免疫力相对低下,发生疾病的概率也远远高于心情好的人。健康与美丽,如若没有一份好心情,犹如沙上建塔、水中捞月,一切都无从谈起。
  • 上善若水:朴槿惠送给女人的人生经营课

    上善若水:朴槿惠送给女人的人生经营课

    从备受宠爱的总统千金到失去双亲的平民孤儿;从青瓦台时期的鼎力支持到隐居期间的众叛亲离;从总统的女儿到“独裁者”的女儿,她的政治资本成了政治包袱;从竞选演说时突遭袭击险些身亡到当选韩国首位女总统,这就是朴槿惠。她以水一样的柔韧对抗苦难,以水一样的包容化解喧闹,以水一样的刚毅赢得人心……上善若水,以柔克刚,这是她成功的力量之源。《上善若水:朴槿惠送给女人的人生经营课》融合了朴槿惠值得女性学习和借鉴的优点,再同现代职场、生活相结合,有效地帮助女性建立自信、正视问题、跨越困难、重塑魅力、收获成功。
  • 国史冷吟:“蚕在茧中找到自己”

    国史冷吟:“蚕在茧中找到自己”

    “蚕在茧中找到了自己”,原典出王辛笛(1912—2004)写的《香港小品》(1982)。此诗感慨其1981年出访香港时获悉的一则史实:一位香港女士在20世纪60年代觅得辛笛1948年版《手掌集》(手抄本)而爱不释手,居然也耗数昼夜抄录全本,却浑然不知诗人当年尚未作古。这当不免让辛笛在庆幸旧作“墙内开花墙外香”之余,又顿生“世上已千年”之感:原来海内外已将其沉寂甚久的诗性复出,视作活的“文物出土”了。
  • 女人一生的美丽计划(大全集)

    女人一生的美丽计划(大全集)

    本书从心灵、言行、仪态、肌肤、秀发、装扮等几方面,结合最新女性时尚个人形象设计潮流,由内至外地诠释女人锻造优雅所涉及的各个层面。引领自我完善的女性朋友一步一步开启美丽的人生。
  • 河源志

    河源志

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 二十几岁要懂的人生经验

    二十几岁要懂的人生经验

    针对二十几岁年轻人的生存现状和容易犯的错误,以有趣的故事和生动的说理阐明年轻人需要懂得和掌握的人生道理。这上百条行之有效的人生经验,内容涉及生活的各个方面,包括人生目标的设定、说话办事的学问、朋友圈子的经营、工作生活的平衡等,为处世不深的年轻人提供有效的参考,从而掌握好生存的法则,在成功的道路上健步如飞。
  • 洇染繁华

    洇染繁华

    纵使繁华茫茫,亦或是天灾人祸,愿有一日,芦山日下,与你共携白首,析赏九天银河落下,为你藏尽繁华。
  • 我的末世不一样

    我的末世不一样

    末世,给人的印象就是,血腥,恐怖,残忍。但我的末世不一样。别人还在,拼命找食物的时候。我已经,开了瓶82年拉菲,点了两份牛排,和小萝莉一起,坐在美丽的星空下,吃着烛光晚餐。PS:本文整体,轻松欢乐,不会出现剧毒之文,大可放心食用。PS2:练笔之作,还请见谅
  • 我的连队

    我的连队

    本书是一本中篇小说集,收入“父亲和他的儿女们”、“一人当兵 全家光荣”、“男左女右”等五篇小说。
  • 无敌杀神

    无敌杀神

    血瞳惊现,血溅九天!魔身现世,血杀八方!斩妖降兽,屠神弑魔!血瞳杀神,血杀六道!绝世无双的武道资质,让人震颤的修炼速度,匪夷所思的炼丹手法,无人企及的武学境界,强大神秘的九天神龙,血瞳神脉的嫡系传人,血染苍穹的狂战杀神,造就了一个逆天而行的血瞳杀神!