The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-10-12
LAST BOOK is BEST
WHAT A GOOD JUDGE SAYS OF
MARK TWAIN'S LATEST.

Frank Bliss. Son OF Marks First Publisher
Pronounces "FoiIowisE the Equator" g
Work "Entirsiy Fresh But Ltstle
Stronger in Manner, More Refiued Ia
Bumor and Keener In Descriptive
Power-samplss Of the God Things In
It-CIrcumstauces Under Which the
New Work Was Written
New York, Oct. Ill am now read
ing the proof sheets OF Mark Twain s
forthcoming book, Following the Equa-
tor and 1 must say that his writing is
as vigorous and his wit as sprightly as
ever" are the Words Of Frank Bliss,
VINO twenty-eight years ago assisted MS
father, the late Elisha Bliss, in bringing
the first book Of the literary comedian
before the American public. The state
ment OF Mr.. Bliss will be highly signifi-
can't 10 those who are acquainted with
the inner details OF Mark Twain's life
during recent years. Adversely seems
not 10 have stayed MS hand nor 10 have
dimmed his wit.
"Mr. Clemens went on the Quaker
tinued Mr.. Bliss. and his impressions Of
his experiences were detailed in his let
ters, published in the New York Tribune
from time to time during the trip. My
father was attracted 10y them, and when
the young man returned to America in
vited him to visi; us in Hartford, Conn.,,
with view of putting the matter in
book form. Mr. Clemens came to our
house and 1 well remember him, al
ready in his looks foreshadowing the
leonlne appearance Of after years. His
talk and his manners were fully as
quaint as his letters. The negotiations
were carried through very quickly and
he went away we'll satisfied with his
contract Tnnocents Abroad was finally
a great success, but it required hard
pushing at first TO make il sell. The new
style OF humor shocked many people,
who were not used to having their pop
ular European idols laughed at, and be-
sides the public was not ready-made TO
the authors hand and had TO be edu-
Gated UP to the standard and style he
he had placed before IL But finally il
sold; sold we'll. and it still paying a
handsome royalty"
WHY HE is FORCED TO WRITE.
His humor, when il eventually caught
the breeze Of public approval, was
paying situation and has been ever
since. Book after book appeared, each
one proving as Temunerative is its
till Mr.. Clemens was in
duced to enter the book publishing bust
ness on his own account.
Everyone knows Of the collapse that
followed. the disappointed hopes the
fortune but left heavy load Of debts in
addition. and all through no fault Of his
own. Then came the manly resolve to
bear up under it all and meet every obli-
CATION before he would take to himself
the fruits Of any subsequent toll. There
are not many men who, staggering UNI
der i'll health, family bereavement and
financial reverses, all coming within the
period of few months, would be able
to rise above them, shoulder the Load
with cheerfulness, and while suppress
ing the griefs set about with Spartan
to pay the claims standing
against them. The new book on which
Mark Twain has lsoored so faithfully
for many months II Is hoped will lift the
debts and square him with that world
which he has filed with laughter and
m ID n vaarS popo nv
This new book" continued Mr.. Bliss.
"is the result OF Mr.. Clemens travel
around the world. When he was about
to start on mis- lecture tour I suggested
that ne jot down the events OF his trip.
Going into the new countries and see
ing new people with their strange man
ners and customs would furnish him
with new material and fresh ideas
which / felt sure would reawaken the
great powers that lay within him. He
needed new scenes to feed upon. His
fine abilities never have shown TO great
err advantage than IN this book, which.
although mentioned under variety OF
tiles, in reality has only the simple one
Of Following the Equator" indicating
4 g.lng around the world.
80, with absolutely new material he
IS entirely fresh but a little stronger in
manner, more refined in humor and
keener in descriptive power. Things are
pictured plainly before you in the old
'Innocents Abroad style. His conversa-
tional way adds much ID the humor Of
the narrative. His book in This respect
Is a reflection Of his natural self His
peculiar drawl is we'll known. and you
,an almost hear It running through the
pages as ne tells US his stories. Some OF
them are sure TO run the gamut OF the
,Iuos and become the text OF after-din-
ner speeches. Instance the one concern
ing his nineteen haoits:
II can quit any OF my nineteen fniur-
Gus habits al any time. and without dis
comfort or inconvenience. / think that
the DR.. Tanners and those others VINO
% forty days without eating do il reso-
utely keeping ous OF the desire 10 eat.
n the beginning. and that after few
,ours the desire IS discouraged and
comes no more.
Once I tried my scheme in a large
medical way had been confined 20 my
ED everai days with lumoago. My
,ase persistently refused 10 improve.
Finally the doctor said 10 ne: My rem
a:ies have no fair chance. Consider
what they have % fight besides the lum-
oago. You smoke extravagantly. don't
your"
Yes
You take coffee immediately?
Yes.
And some ;ea?'
Yes
You eat all kinds % things that are
dissatisfied with each others Company
Yes