Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1899-07-17
MARK TWAIN'S LATEST
Speech of Amcrica'S HumOrisf at
The English Authors GLIB

Not since the memorable tour OF the
world by General Grant has any Amer
lean citizen had such Il triumphant wei
come abroad as Mark Twain SAMUEL
L. Clemens), Americas greates,. living
humorist He has been greeted -
France, Switzerland. Germany and
England almost Ike a crowned head.
Public and private receptions and ban
quats have been given him wherever
! he has gone.
While in Vienna a few weeks ago
the emperor, Francis Joseph. sent for
him and honOred him with a private
+ interview Mr. Clemens Iaboriously
wrote out i solemn speech in German
and carefully committed it to memory.
BIZ he became SO embarrassed upon
entering the study Of the emperor that
he entirely forgot it. His majesty
varied few moments for mis- visitor
to speak, and then was highly amused
when Mr. Clemens broke into good
Connecticut English AID told the en-
peror the story Of his forgotten speech.
Two weeks ago the Authors club in
London welcomed Mark Twainis ar
rival in England by a banquet. Sir
Walter Besant, il proposing the health
of Marx Twain, made witty speech.
and in reply 10 the toast Mr. Clemens
sid:
1t does not embarrass me to hear my
books praised so much. 1t only
pleases and delights me. UaUghter.)
[ have not gone beyond the age
when embarrassment is possible. but I
have reached the age where know
how to conceal II. (Chesrs)
1t is such a satisfaction 80 me to hear
Sir Walter Besant, who IS much more
capable than 1 to judge CT my wor1
deliver judgment which is such a
contentment 10 my spirit (Laughter)
Wall, I have thought well OF the
books myself, but 1 think more of them
now. daughter and chears.)
IL charms me also tC hear Sir Spen-
Ger Walpole deliver a similar judg-
me1t, and I shall treasure his remarks
also. l shall not discount these
praises in any possible way When
report them to my family they shall
hose nothing. loud laughter)
There are, however, certain hsredi-
ties which come down TO us which our
writings at the present day may be
traced to. I, for instance, read the
Walp0Is letters when I was a bDy.
absorbed them, gathered in thar grace
be used by and by. One does that SO
uncoEsciously with things one really
likes
l am reminded now of whct use
those letters have been 10 ms
They must not claim credit in Amer
lea for what was really written Ill an
other form long age. They must only
claim that l only trimmed this, that
and the other and 50 changed their ap-
pearance as TO make them sem
on giHal You now see what modasty
have in stock. But It has taken
long practice to get il there. laugh
ter.)
But 1 must not stand here talking. I
merely meant to get up and give my
thanks for The pleasant things that
preceding speakers have said of me.
l wish also to extend my thanks to
the Authors club for constituting me
a member. at a reasonable price per
year, and for giving ne t1ef benefit of
your legal adviser
/ believe you keep lawyer. l have
always kept 2 lawyer, too Qaughter),
though have never made anything
out CT b N
II is services to an autnor TO have a
lawyer. There IS something 50 dis
agreeable in having a personal contact
with publisher. loud Laughter)
So it is bette- to work through q
lawyer-and lose your case. I under
stand that the publishers hayz been
meeting together also. Ike US. l don't
know what fer, buc possibly they are
devising rev and mysterious ways for
remunerating authors. cob, OIL" and
laughter)
l only wish now to thank you for
electing me a member Of this club
believe I have paid my dues-and to
thank YOU again for the pleasant
, things you have said of me.
Last February, when Rudyard KIP
ling was. i'll n America, the sympathy
which was poured out to him was gen.
tine and sincere (c1sers), and l be
lieve that which cos,- Kipling 50 much
will bring England and America c,Oser
/ together. (Renewed cheers.)
l have been proud and pleased 10 Sse
this growing affection and respect be
tween the two countries. hope il
VIII continue 70 grow, and. please God,
It viii continue TO grow. CCheSrs)
! t-ust We authors VII leave % pos
teTity, f We have nothing els5 % leave,
a friendship between England and
3 America that will count for much.
CCheers)
+ I viii not confess that I have been
engaged fC- the past eight days in
compiling a pun. daughter.
have brought it here 10 lay = your
fest 1 do Eot ask your indulgence IN