New-York tribune., 1907-06-09
MARK TWAIN SAILS.
Goes to Get Degree of Doctor of
Letters from Oxford.

Samuel L. Clemens stood on the promenade deck
of the Atlantic Transport liner Minneapolis yester-
day afternoon and waved a solemn farewell to a
large number of friends who had congregated
the pier to see him depart for England TO receive
on June 26 the degree Of doctor Of literature from
oxford University
The afternoon was fine. but Mr.. Clemens wore
overcoat as he explained it. ITO keep out the
heat which isn't here" His overcoat matched his
suit IN color and the two pictures of sartoraI
symmetry. He had discarded his white outfit for
the moment, but he assured his friends that he
had II in his grip. His suit light gray In color.
:or it suited his particular style of beauty
For some minutes he stood talking earnestly 10
his secretary Miss Lyon, VINO had come to see him
off. Suddenly he dIved into his waistcoat pocket
and brought out big. black cigar He bit the end
off and then found It had been crushed in his
pocket. Dsgustcdy he threw il away. A second
later he leaDed 10 the rails and with regretfu.
look saw his only cigar floating out into the
stream
II won't smoke the trip he said but
soon regretted this resolution for he ran to a
friend and pleaded for smoke" One being
forthcoming, Mr., Clemens gave himself over 10 the
newspaper men, having. he said made my peace
with the Lord and all things earthly"
i am going to London where 7 spent seven
years, to all the boys. and also receive the
degree Of doctor Of literature at oxford University
on June 26. may 90 to London again." he
said, with a faint suspicion Of moisture in his eyes,
until 1 come back to this sphere after am dead.
and then I should Ike TO live in London"
When viii you be back" lie was asked.
Il have booked my passage to return on this
boat on June 90 and this my mind IS firmly
made up-at present But I don't know what the
boys VIII do with me-perhaps 1 may stay boat
or two longer If my energy holds out. New York
Is n very energetic place. but all the vitality one
has in his body is required I'm London"
DO you expect to have good time in London"
Il don't know what the boys will do with me-
but I'm ready for them, am always ready to do
my share Of proper dissipation example-an
awful example-to others. how 10 be better than
1 myself"
He said he retired from work his seventieth
birthday and didn't intend to do any more.
do you enjoy your idIeness?" he asked.
'Splend5ly. I put in two hours each day for
five days q week debating my autobiography. but
it is not TO be published until I well and thor
oughy dead. l have made it caustic. hendish
and deyiIsh I possibly can. I have spared no
one"
when will It be hnished?"
1T will occupy many volumes and shall 20
on writing 1t until the time for to join
the angels. I tell you, that autobiography IS ter
rible. 1t viii make peoples hair curl, but it
children are dead. tell you rs something awful ."
Have You included Mrs. Eddy's friends"
Iheyre there all right"
Who Is here you off?"
but my shyness takes a peculiar form. I never
look a person in the face. The reason is l am
afraid that they know me and l don't know them,
which is very embarrassing for both OF US;
always wait for people TO speak.
they are II is ali matter Of Your ablity for o6,
servat!on never observe anything. I gave that
around me 1ntu it happens. and then get out Of
the " ~ as quickly as can.
what happened to me Xii my observation has
shriyelled-dried up. II We're"