The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-10-09
MARKTWAINS-NEW BOOK
A SATIRE ONTHE MODERN CRAZE
FOR AN CIENT ANCESTORS.

Yankee IN the Court OF King Arthur.
Nineteenth Century Civilization and
the Knights Of the Round Table
The Yankee Astonishes Merlin, the
Wizard--Awkward Armor- Science
Against Superstition The Great
American Satire
(Copyrfghted.)
NEW York, Oct. 5.-They say that Mark
Twain's forthcoming satire will be to the
English speaking people Of two continents
what ''Dou Quixote" was to the Spanish
This is undoubtedly rather extravaga1t
nraise although in the Adventures of a
Con7ecticut Yankee in the Court of King
Arthur the author, who has already taken
rank as the greatest American humorist,
rsveals himself in a new literary character
that will be a surprise to all who know him.
The greatest secresy has been observed
regarding the book, which will shortly ap-
near from the presses Of a New York pub
Usher. Mr.. Clemens lips have been sealed
even to his friends concerning the contents
If his volume, and the fugitive paragraphs
that have appeared have only served to
ninne curiosity as to the real character of
his latest progeny. One assertion, that the
title OF the book was 20 be "Mr. Smith of
kstolat.n excited considerable amusement,
as the hero OF the adventures has no name.
An authorized outline of the forthcoming
Anne. lean satire is now given below for tue
first time.
In q thriving Connecticut town lived a
shreud business man, typical modern
IL, 6
He is a man who, by keeping his eyes open
TO every opportunity, has become rich aud
prosperous. He is, moreover, a master
mechanic and a practical workman, havia e
risen from the bench. During dispute
with one of his men, the latter strikes him
blow with hammer Telling him to the
grOund, UNCONSCIOUS.
The Y kee master-mechanic awakes to
lind himself In a new and strange country,
whittier he concludes he has been trans
ported during sleep. He is near wood,
and he observes that the foliage and vege-
tation are wholly different from those to
which he is accustomed III New England
There are no landmarks by which he can
fix the locality and, while ne is specializing
on this strange adventure. he is accosted by
an armed man on horseback, who rides up
20 him and, in language which the Yankee
recognizes as medieval English, gruffly
demands his name and busihe S. After a
btje parleying aud some diplomacy the
newcomer IS satisfied, apparently, that the
Yankee is lunatic, for he takes him in
tlw as a prisoner, and conducts him to the
court of bis master. King Arthur. The
c1lsterDation of the New England me-
caauic Is complete when he ascertains that,
by some transmigratory process, he has
leaped back 300 years and Weakened up in
''merrie England" aud among the knights
Of the round table.
Tlen fol- TVS a series of adventures that
confirm the suspicious Of the Connecticut
boss" mechanic that he has fallen in peril
Gus straits. He is interrogated, and as he
becomes familiar with the situation and his
surroundings, his new Yankee wit comes
10 the rescue and relieves him from many
enbarTassments. He fortunately retains
all hs knowledge of modern chemistry and
mechanics. HIS conversation, which is OF
The nineteenth century order, is naturally
unintelligible in large degree to his new &C
quaintances. lie speaks of things they
never heard Of. and when he mentions even
the most familiar accompaniment of every
LAY life they are amazed. They conclude
ne must be magician and, accordingly
Merlin. the court wizard. is sent for to test
tie value of his occult knowledge; but the
Yankee quickly puts Merhn's nose out oil
joint by few simple experiments which
are hailed as miracles of magic, and tn;
grayheaId is relegated to obscurity and, dis
favor.
Our Yankee soon begins TO see advan
tage5 in his new position and astonishes the
king and his court by the novelty of hi,
propositions. Pretty soon he is installed il
confidential AID honorable relation to tht
monarch, who. although far from being
rA ga5.T i
romance, is not quite so much of a medic
val brute as the knights who surround him
Arthur perceives the advantage of the plan,
Tor Improvement suggested by the stranger
HaiiT ads, te egraphs telephones and Other
modern improvements are adopted at tht
lAStlgatlon OF the Connecticut mechanic
and soon he practically runs the kingdom
which before his advent had been a sorr,
mixture Of savagery and discomfort, as fal
as the feelings of q nineteenth century indl
Fldual are concerned.
But although he has stanch friend anC
ally III the king, tho Yankee is far from
oeiDg exempt from the embarrassment
mat beSet a man in his odd condition One
tning that troubles him not little is hi
armor; Ter, being attached to the court and
q Knight also, he must wear the accoutre
ments OF knighthood. He finds The heavy
clanklng metal suit a poor exchange for hi
easy-httlng, wel-made Boston garments
ana LIE chafes under its weight till all lii
Ambs are sore again. But he may not es
cape, although he takes every opportunity
OF lieving himself of the casaue and cui.
rass
The keen satire of the book is most effect
I'VE IN tie chapters describing the socia
CONDITION of the court, the nobility general
y, and The subjects of Arthur's realm-at
Iatge. Arthur is pompous. sci conscious
monarch, WI generous intervals, but neve
a sI to forget his kingdom for an instant
tue people are oppressed and practically
saves OF the barons and mobiles, who REGARD
lueiF own rank aud title as God-glven anC
G.aim the divine right of tyrannizlng and
ogutalizing to their hearts content. Tn
agricultural class is little better than rae,
~ ~ saVages, cowherds and solutions; the ar
tIoahs are mere serfs and retainers of TIN
aopl!'ty, and the vaunted valor and chival
u 1he latter, under the keen scrutiny O
vne 1ankee's eyes. simmer down 10 mkt
; Hie OF boraggadocio and brutality that il
lG'oiei able. The home life of the "peopl,
~, Hlerrle England" at that age is largely
r n5tn' The country is given over to una
,r %olerS and privil- ged robbers. The womel
ono are secluded among the mobiles, in tn
S U"gr ranks are treated like beasts O
~. or Galahad and his 'tgoodlie companie
We Io sha ply pictured, the knights, ever
s sae est and bravest among them, being
81. VI DULLES and roysterers. The YauEe,
~ NO al one OF the feasts, and leaves the hal
neu Tue entertainment assumes the dimep
b 'Uas Oh a riot or free fight. There is I
VS aHi Gus turn to the adventures of tn