New-York tribune., 1910-04-22

children Of practically every nation have
revelled ir the adventures Of Tom Sawyer
ana Huck Finn. and their elders, too. have
found keen enjoyment In reading the many
! productions cf the humorists pen. Those
who met him personally were attracted by
his kindly manner and the spirit OF good
/ fellowship he was wont 20 throw about him.
The honors that were bestowed on him
everywhere were received by him with
such eouanimity that they never disturbed
! his equilibrium. Whatever his surround
ings he was always the same. The spirit
Of play seemed TO pervade both his life
and writings 1t was this fact that drew
the public 10 him. While talking to those
who came 20 congratulate him on the at
tsinment OF his seventeen birthday, he
smilingiy asserted that everything he had
/ accomplished had been merely play for
him. He seemed TO forget the struggle he
had gene through some years before 20 re-
move the burden OF debt which the failure
OF his publishing firm had brought.
Not Taken Seriously Enough.
On another occasion he sounded note
OF regret because he was not taken seri-
ouEly enough. IT'S a dif1cult thing said
he, FOR a man who has acquired q reputs-
ton os q funny man TO have q serious
thought ard put It into words and be lis
tened TO respectfully. But thoroughly be-
lieve that any man who has got anything
10 say worth while VIII be heard II he
only says Il often enough. OF course, what
I have 90 say may not be worth anything
I can't tell about that, but ~ I honestly
believe have an IDEA worth the attention
Of thinking people it's my business 10 say
IL with all the sincerity can muster II
IL isn't worth while 81 doesn't matter
whether I'm heard or not"
The humorist here seems TO imply that
his humor was at times intended only for
covering for serious thoughts. Suppose
man makes a name as humorist." said
Mr.. Clemens: that may not be the express
sion OF the real genius Of the man at all.
lie may have a genuine message for the
world. Let him say SC ana say Il again
and then repeat it and let him soak IL in
sincerity. People VIII listen if he's really
got lesson
OF all the trips he made abroad the one
which his admirers will best remember is
that Of 1907, when he visited England. The
welconIe then accorded him both by the
masses and the nobility was such IS no
other private citizen had ever received be-
fore. The King gave garden party in his
honor and for days and days he was the
guest at public and private receptions.
Melancholy Outlook at Seventy-two.
| j was at this time that oxford bestowed
upon him the honorary degree OF Lit. d.
In speech he made 20 the Pilgrims of
London during this visit he delivered a
little talk on his own books which was In
terspersed with many anecdotes. One OF
them had to do with Darwin. The humor-
ist said that when Professor Merton, OF
Harvard, returned 10 America after visit
70 the great scientist he told the humorist
the following:
II have been spending some time with
Mr.. Darwin. One night he took me 10 his
room and pointed out certain things, in
Guiding some pitcher plants that he was
measuring and watching from dav to day
He said that the chambermaid was per-
mitted to DO what she would IN the room
except 20 touch the plants. Neither must
she touch any OF those books on the table.
for they put me to sleep every night -
said Darwin. Tie professor. according to
the story. then turned TO Mr.. Clemens with
the words: Those were your books" His
closing remarks 10 the Pilgrims were in an
unusually melancholy vein.
when a man stand. on the verge OF sew
enty-tvo you know perfectly well that he
never reached that place without knowing
that this life Is heartbreaking bereave-
mont. And so our reverence Is for the
dead We DO not forget them; but our
! dgtv IS toward the living. and II we can be
cheerful in spirit, speech and hope-that is
OF benefit 20 sIl around US He then re-
/ Serred TO the deaths of his wife and daugli-
/ ter. saying: Il rnust some time lay the cap
and bells aside and recognize that I am of
the human race Ike tho rest, and must
have my cares and griefs.''
His Opinion Of Americans.
In an interview with Paul BourEet in
/ France Mr.. Clemens gave his opinion oc
/ Americans. There isn't a single human
Characteristic that can be safely labelled
1 American he said: there isn't a single
human ambition or religious trend or drift
OF thought or popularity OF education or
code Of principles or breed OF folly or style
OF conversation or preference for n par
ticular subject for discussion or form Of
legs or trunk or head or face or expression
or complexion or gait or dress or manners
or disposition or any other human detail
inside or outside that can nationally be
generalized as American
| In speaking Of the follower. % Mrs.
| EDDY, Mr. Clemens showed his broad mind
edness. "The ordinary followers OF any
/ religion he said. may be accused of the
! Incapacity TO reason clearly about 81. The
opinion Of the Man in the Street IS worth
less on a subject Of which he has not made
a special study
OF all the friendships Mr.. Clemens pos
sessed one Of those nearest 20 his heart
was that Of the late Henry II. Rogers.
when his publishing house failed Mr. Rog-
el's came TO his rescue. not alone Offering
him money but also taking fun charge OF
/ the business, end by so doing gave the
humorist opportunity TO forget his worries
and left him free 20 continue 20 pour out
| his witticisuns in lectures and writings
/ Had it not been FOR Mt Rogers's aid in this
/ time or need IL Is very doubtful If Mr.
! Clemens would have over made that re-
markable speech on tne occasion OF his
sevcntieth birthday. The aged writer wa
on his way 70 see his old friend when news
was carried 10 him that the fnsncier had
passed swa:. His GRIEF al his loss was
( almost uncomfortable. ano Il was some
time before nc recovered from the shock.
Remarkable Birthday Speech.
TIE birthday speech to which reference
has been made was a most remarkable ef.
fort for q men OF AIr. Clcmens's age. II
WAS brimfai Ok Wit and fun up to the close
when the speaker IN beautiful language
told his hearers what 81 meant TO be sew
enty years old. hIr. Clemens rose to reply
! 10 The toast given BIZ William Dean Howells