Mark Twain and the Happy Island

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1913 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XIII LETTERS FTER the happy visit at Stormfield we never saw Mr. Clemens again, but from time to time precious letters came from him, so characteristic that they vividly evoked his presence. He always wrote them in his own hand. The first one preserved is one that he wrote in answer to an incident of which I had written him an account. I had been lecturing to a class of students on Victor Hugo, and I had dwelt upon the enthusiastic appreciation of Frenchmen for their great men of letters. I had added, as I remember, that we had not yet attained that advanced stage of civilization where we could make heroes of our literary men, and, wanning up to my subject, I said that were I to ask the class sitting then before me who was the most beloved American writer, I much doubted if they could, spontaneously, name anyone. Seeing nods of dissent, I challenged them, and a dozen or more responded, "Mark Twain!" while the rest nodded approval. His answer is as follows: Stoemfield, Redding, Connecticut, April 22/09. Dear Betsy: It is not conveyable in words. I mean my vanity--rotten joy in the dear and pleasant things you say of me, and in my enviable standing in your class, as revealed by the class's answer to your challenge. So I shall not try to do the conveying, but only say I am grateful--a truth which you would easily divine, even if I said nothing at all. You must come here again--please don't forget it. We'll have another good time. Affectionately, S. L. Clemens. In May he wrote in reference to Mr. Rogers's sudden death: It is indeed, dear Betsy: a heavy stroke. It bruised many a heart: how many we shall never know, for his helpful kindnesses went far and wide and made no outward sign. Here we shall not look upon his like again;...