Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-19
TWAIN AMI SHAW
THEY MEET IN LONDON AND
HAVE PoWWoW.

| LONDON, June 19.-Mark Twain and
George Bernard Shaw, the English author
and dramatist made things lively at the
railway station yesterday on the arrival
of tourists from the United States. The
two men so widely known for their writings
met for the first time, but had several
pleasantries to exchange. Many of the
travellers crowded around to watch the
meeting.
Twain is on his way to oxford. where
he will receive an honorary degree from
the university, and Shaw was at the sta
ton to meet Prof. Archibald Henderson
! who is to write his biography.
Before the train arrived Shaw was asked
his opinion of Twain not as humorist
but as a sociologist and an American. The
dramatist replied:
America has two great literary assets
| In Poe and Twain. understand Americans
do not say much about Poe, but Twain
does not give them much of an opportunity
to ignore him."
When Twain alighted from the train re-
porters tried to coax him to retaliate on
Shaw, but he only said:
dont know him, and l never give an
opinion unless 1 have studied the matter.
l only give opinions based on my own de-
ductions."
At that moment Shaw reappeared, and
he was quickly introduced to Twain. The
Englishman said
These newspaper men asked me II 1
tnought you were serious in writing the
story OF the jumping frog. 1 answered for
you, and gave the correct answer-.Yes' !"
Both men laughed like boys. After a
brief conversation they parted Twain
was then questioned about his present
work, and replied:
lam only writing my biography. giving
couple of hours daily to debating it."
When will it be finished?"
When they send for the undertaken not
before"
That ought to be long time" re-
marked the reporter.
We'll, l can't say. All the palmists and
clairvoyants tell me 1 am going to die,
but they Go not state any date l don't
care, anyway, for l am insured"
Twain declared he has special purpose
In going to Oxford for the comforting of de-
grees He said he wanted to witness the
OF old-time life will be displayed to get
ideas for his own obsequies He declined
to be drawn into voicing his impressions
of England, saying:
If l had any impressions of England
SO intense that I could not contain them
then l would write them. l do not write
anything until l am inspired by very
fire. Everybody has impressions, but I
other peoples before 1 write them L
would not have my impressions on this sub
]ect going about damaging my reputation !"
The humorist spent the afternoon in
and Mrs. Reid and in receiving a host of
callers himself. He has postponed his re-
turn to the United States until July, owing
10 nus numerous engagements, including in
addition to the reception at the Pilgrims
Club and the lord mayors dinner also
dinner Of the American Society to be held
on the Fourth Of July, a third dinner by the
lord mayor of Liverpool.
Mr. Clements said to the correspond
emit, with all these affairs, how 1
am to get my usual quota of Sleep
which Is about twenty-five hours daily; is
something that's puzzling me. l usually
spend most of the time in bed, rise about
IL o'clock and very seldom have lunch. SO
that l can go back to bed again at 2
o'clock If have no engagement on, why
next day.