第15章

notasacasualonlookerinintervalsbetweenholdinghorsesinfrontofatheater，butasapracticinglawyeragreatandsuccessfulone，arenownedone，aLauncelotofthebar，themostformidablelanceinthehighbrotherhoodofthelegalTableRound;helivedinthelaw’satmospherethenceforth，allhisyears，andbysheerabilityforcedhiswayupitsdifficultsteepstoitssupremestsummit，theLordChancellorship，leavingbehindhimnofellowcraftsmanqualifiedtochallengehisdivinerighttothatmajesticplace。

WhenwereadthepraisesbestowedbyLordPenzanceandtheotherillustriousexpertsuponthelegalconditionandlegalaptnesses，brilliances，profundities，andfelicitiessoprodigallydisplayedinthePlays，andtrytofitthemtothehistorylessStratfordstagemanager，theysoundwild，strange，incredible，ludicrous;butwhenweputtheminthemouthofBacontheydonotsoundstrange，theyseemintheirnaturalandrightfulplace，theyseemathomethere。Pleaseturnbackandreadthemagain。AttributedtoShakespeareofStratfordtheyaremeaningless，theyareinebriateextravaganciesintemperateadmirationsofthedarksideofthemoon，sotospeak;attributedtoBacon，theyareadmirationsofthegoldengloriesofthemoon’sfrontside，themoonatthefullandnotintemperate，notoverwrought，butsaneandright，andjustified。"Ateverturnandpointatwhichtheauthorrequiredametaphor，simile，orillustration，hismindeverturnedFIRSTtothelaw;heseemsalmosttohaveTHOUGHTinlegalphrases;thecommonestlegalphrases，thecommonestoflegalexpressions，wereeverattheendofhispen。"ThatcouldhappentonoonebutapersonwhoseTRADEwasthelaw;itcouldnothappentoadabblerinit。

Veteranmarinersfilltheirconversationwithsailorphrasesanddrawalltheirsimilesfromtheshipandtheseaandthestorm，butnomerePASSENGEReverdoesit，beheofStratfordorelsewhere;orcoulddoitwithanythingresemblingaccuracy，ifhewerehardyenoughtotry。PleasereadagainwhatLordCampbellandtheothergreatauthoritieshavesaidaboutBaconwhentheythoughttheyweresayingitaboutShakespeareofStratford。

X

TheRestoftheEquipmentTheauthorofthePlayswasequipped，beyondeveryothermanofhistime，withwisdom，erudition，imagination，capaciousnessofmind，grace，andmajestyofexpression。Everyoneonehadsaidit，noonedoubtsit。Also，hehadhumor，humorinrichabundance，andalwayswantingtobreakout。WehavenoevidenceofanykindthatShakespeareofStratfordpossessedanyofthesegiftsoranyoftheseacquirements。Theonlylinesheeverwrote，sofarasweknow，aresubstantiallybarrenofthem

barrenofallofthem。

GoodfriendforIesussakeforbeareTodiggthedustencloasedheare:

BlestbeyemanytsparesthesstonesAndcurstbeheytmovesmybones。

BenJonsonsaysofBacon，asorator:

Hislanguage，WHEREHECOULDSPAREANDPASSBYAJEST，wasnoblycensorious。Nomaneverspokemoreneatly，morepressly，moreweightily，orsufferedlessemptiness，lessidleness，inwhatheuttered。Nomemberofhisspeechbutconsistedofhis（its）owngraces……Thefearofeverymanthatheardhimwaslestheshouldmakeanend。

FromMacaulay:

HecontinuedtodistinguishhimselfinParliament，particularlybyhisexertionsinfavorofoneexcellentmeasureonwhichtheKing’sheartwassettheunionofEnglandandScotland。Itwasnotdifficultforsuchanintellecttodiscovermanyirresistibleargumentsinfavorofsuchascheme。HeconductedthegreatcaseofthePOSTNATIintheExchequerChamber;andthedecisionofthejudgesadecisionthelegalityofwhichmaybequestioned，butthebeneficialeffectofwhichmustbeacknowledgedwasinagreatmeasureattributedtohisdexterousmanagement。

Again:

WhileactivelyengagedintheHouseofCommonsandinthecourtsoflaw，hestillfoundleisureforlettersandphilosophy。

ThenobletreatiseontheADVANCEMENTOFLEARNING，whichatalaterperiodwasexpandedintotheDEAUGMENTIS，appearedin1605。

TheWISDOMOFTHEANCIENTS，aworkwhich，ifithadproceededfromanyotherwriter，wouldhavebeenconsideredasamasterpieceofwitandlearning，wasprintedin1609。

InthemeantimetheNOVUMORGANUMwasslowlyproceeding。

Severaldistinguishedmenoflearninghadbeenpermittedtoseeportionsofthatextraordinarybook，andtheyspokewiththegreatestadmirationofhisgenius。

EvenSirThomasBodley，afterperusingtheCOGITATAETVISA，oneofthemostpreciousofthosescatteredleavesoutofwhichthegreatoracularvolumewasafterwardmadeup，acknowledgedthat"inallproposalsandplotsinthatbook，Baconshowedhimselfamasterworkman";andthat"itcouldnotbegainsaidbutallthetreatiseoverdidaboundwithchoiceconceitsofthepresentstateoflearning，andwithworthycontemplationsofthemeanstoprocureit。"

In1612aneweditionoftheESSAYSappeared，withadditionssurpassingtheoriginalcollectionbothinbulkandquality。

NordidthesepursuitsdistractBacon’sattentionfromaworkthemostarduous，themostglorious，andthemostusefulthatevenhismightypowerscouldhaveachieved，"thereducingandrecompiling，"tousehisownphrase，"ofthelawsofEngland。"

ToservetheexactingandlaboriousofficesofAttorneyGeneralandSolicitorGeneralwouldhavesatisfiedtheappetiteofanyothermanforhardwork，butBaconhadtoaddthevastliteraryindustriesjustdescribed，tosatisfyhis。Hewasabornworker。

Theservicewhichherenderedtolettersduringthelastfiveyearsofhislife，amidtenthousanddistractionsandvexations，increasetheregretwithwhichwethinkonthemanyyearswhichhehadwasted，tousethewordsofSirThomasBodley，"onsuchstudyaswasnotworthysuchastudent。"

HecommencedadigestofthelawsofEngland，aHistoryofEnglandunderthePrincesoftheHouseofTudor，abodyofNationalHistory，aPhilosophicalRomance。HemadeextensiveandvaluableadditionstohisEssays。HepublishedtheinestimableTREATISEDEAUGMENTISSCIENTIARUM。

DidtheselaborsofHerculesfilluphistimetohiscontentment，andquiethisappetiteforwork？Notentirely:

Thetrifleswithwhichheamusedhimselfinhoursofpainandlanguorborethemarkofhismind。THEBESTJESTBOOKINTHEWORLDisthatwhichhedictatedfrommemory，withoutreferringtoanybook，onadayonwhichillnesshadrenderedhimincapableofseriousstudy。

Herearesomescatteredremarks（fromMacaulay）whichthrowlightuponBacon，andseemtoindicateandmaybedemonstrate

thathewascompetenttowritethePlaysandPoems:

Withgreatminutenessofobservationhehadanamplitudeofcomprehensionsuchashasneveryetbeenvouchsafedtoanyotherhumanbeing。

TheESSAYScontainabundantproofsthatnonicefeatureofcharacter，nopeculiarityintheorderingofahouse，agarden，oracourtmasque，couldescapethenoticeofonewhosemindwascapableoftakinginthewholeworldofknowledge。

HisunderstandingresembledthetentwhichthefairyParibanougavetoPrinceAhmed:foldit，anditseemedatoyforthehandofalady;spreadit，andthearmiesofthepowerfulSultansmightreposebeneathitsshade。

TheknowledgeinwhichBaconexcelledallmenwasaknowledgeofthemutualrelationsofalldepartmentsofknowledge。

Inaletterwrittenwhenhewasonlythirtyone，tohisuncle，LordBurleigh，hesaid，"Ihavetakenallknowledgetobemyprovince。"

ThoughBacondidnotarmhisphilosophywiththeweaponsoflogic，headornedherprofuselywithalltherichestdecorationsofrhetoric。

ThepracticalfacultywaspowerfulinBacon;butnot，likehiswit，sopowerfulasoccasionallytousurptheplaceofhisreasonandtotyrannizeoverthewholeman。

TherearetoomanyplacesinthePlayswherethishappens。

PoorolddyingJohnofGauntvolleyingsecondratepunsathisownname，isapatheticinstanceofit。"Wemayassume"thatitisBacon’sfault，buttheStratfordShakespearehastobeartheblame。

Noimaginationwaseveratoncesostrongandsothoroughlysubjugated。Itstoppedatthefirstcheckfromgoodsense。

Intruth，muchofBacon’slifewaspassedinavisionaryworld

amidthingsasstrangeasanythataredescribedintheARABIANTALES……amidbuildingsmoresumptuousthanthepalaceofAladdin，fountainsmorewonderfulthanthegoldenwaterofParizade，conveyancesmorerapidthanthehippogryphofRuggiero，armsmoreformidablethanthelanceofAstolfo，remediesmoreeffaciousthanthebalsamofFierabras。Yetinhismagnificentdaydreamstherewasnothingwildnothingbutwhatsoberreasonsanctioned。

Bacon’sgreatestperformanceisthefirstbookoftheNOVUM

ORGANUM……Everypartofitblazeswithwit，butwithwitwhichisemployedonlytoillustrateanddecoratetruth。Nobookevermadesogreatarevolutioninthemodeofthinking，overthrewsomayprejudices，introducedsomanynewopinions。

Butwhatwemostadmireisthevastcapacityofthatintellectwhich，withouteffort，takesinatonceallthedomainsofscienceallthepast，thepresentandthefuture，alltheerrorsoftwothousandyears，alltheencouragingsignsofthepassingtimes，allthebrighthopesofthecomingage。

Hehadawonderfultalentforpackingthoughtcloseandrenderingitportable。

Hiseloquencewouldalonehaveentitledhimtoahighrankinliterature。

ItisevidentthathehadeachandeveryoneofthementalgiftsandeachandeveryoneoftheacquirementsthataresoprodigallydisplayedinthePlaysandPoems，andinmuchhigherandricherdegreethananyothermanofhistimeorofanyprevioustime。

Hewasageniuswithoutamate，aprodigynotmatable。Therewasonlyoneofhim;theplanetcouldnotproducetwoofhimatonebirth，norinoneage。HecouldhavewrittenanythingthatisinthePlaysandPoems。Hecouldhavewrittenthis:

Thecloudcap’dtowers，thegorgeouspalaces，Thesolemntemples，thegreatglobeitself，Yea，allwhichitinherit，shalldissolve，And，likeaninsubstantialpageantfaded，Leavenotarackbehind。WearesuchstuffAsdreamsaremadeof，andourlittlelifeIsroundedwithasleep。

Also，hecouldhavewrittenthis，butherefrained:

GoodfriendforIesussakeforbeareTodiggthedustencloasedheare:

BlestbeyemanytsparesthesstonesAndcurstbeheytmovesmybones。

Whenapersonreadsthenobleversesaboutthecloudcap’dtowers，heoughtnottofollowitimmediatelywithGoodfriendforIesussakeforbeare，becausehewillfindthetransitionfromgreatpoetrytopoorprosetooviolentforcomfort。Itwillgivehimashock。Younevernoticehowcommonplaceandunpoeticgravelisuntilyoubiteintoalayerofitinapie。

XI

AmItryingtoconvinceanybodythatShakespearedidnotwriteShakespeare’sWorks？Ah，now，whatdoyoutakemefor？

WouldIbesosoftasthat，afterhavingknownthehumanracefamiliarlyfornearlyseventyfouryears？Itwouldgrievemetoknowthatanyonecouldthinksoinjuriouslyofme，souncomplimentarily，sounadmiringlyofme。No，no，Iamawarethatwheneventhebrightestmindinourworldhasbeentrainedupfromchildhoodinasuperstitionofanykind，itwillneverbepossibleforthatmind，initsmaturity，toexaminesincerely，dispassionately，andconscientiouslyanyevidenceoranycircumstancewhichshallseemtocastadoubtuponthevalidityofthatsuperstition。IdoubtifIcoulddoitmyself。Wealwaysgetatsecondhandournotionsaboutsystemsofgovernment;andhightariffandlowtariff;andprohibitionandantiprohibition;andtheholinessofpeaceandthegloriesofwar;andcodesofhonorandcodesofmorals;andapprovaloftheduelanddisapprovalofit;andourbeliefsconcerningthenatureofcats;andourideasastowhetherthemurderofhelplesswildanimalsisbaseorisheroic;andourpreferencesinthematterofreligiousandpoliticalparties;andouracceptanceorrejectionoftheShakespearesandtheAuthorOrtonsandtheMrs。

Eddys。Wegetthemallatsecondhand，wereasonnoneofthemoutforourselves。Itisthewaywearemade。Itisthewayweareallmade，andwecan’thelpit，wecan’tchangeit。Andwheneverwehavebeenfurnishedafetish，andhavebeentaughttobelieveinit，andloveitandworshipit，andrefrainfromexaminingit，thereisnoevidence，howsoeverclearandstrong，thatcanpersuadeustowithdrawfromitourloyaltyandourdevotion。Inmorals，conduct，andbeliefswetakethecolorofourenvironmentandassociations，anditisacolorthatcansafelybewarrantedtowash。Wheneverwehavebeenfurnishedwithatarbabyostensiblystuffedwithjewels，andwarnedthatitwillbedishonorableandirreverenttodisembowelitandtestthejewels，wekeepoursacrilegioushandsoffit。Wesubmit，notreluctantly，butrathergladly，forweareprivatelyafraidweshouldfind，uponexaminationthatthejewelsareofthesortthataremanufacturedatNorthAdams，Mass。

Ihaven’tanyideathatShakespearewillhavetovacatehispedestalthissideoftheyear2209。Disbeliefinhimcannotcomeswiftly，disbeliefinahealthyanddeeplylovedtarbabyhasneverbeenknowntodisintegrateswiftly;itisaveryslowprocess。Ittookseveralthousandyearstoconvinceourfineraceincludingeverysplendidintellectinitthatthereisnosuchthingasawitch;ithastakenseveralthousandyearstoconvincethesamefineraceincludingeverysplendidintellectinitthatthereisnosuchpersonasSatan;ithastakenseveralcenturiestoremoveperditionfromtheProtestantChurch’sprogramofpostmortementertainments;ithastakenawearylongtimetopersuadeAmericanPresbyterianstogiveupinfantdamnationandtrytobearitthebesttheycan;anditlooksasiftheirScotchbrethrenwillstillbeburningbabiesintheeverlastingfireswhenShakespearecomesdownfromhisperch。

WeareTheReasoningRace。Wecan’tproveitbytheaboveexamples，andwecan’tproveitbythemiraculous"histories"

builtbythoseStratfordolatersoutofahatfulofragsandabarrelofsawdust，butthereisaplentyofotherthingswecanproveitby，ifIcouldthinkofthem。WeareTheReasoningRace，andwhenwefindavaguefileofchipmunktracksstringingthroughthedustofStratfordvillage，weknowbyourreasoningbowersthatHerculeshasbeenalongthere。Ifeelthatourfetishissafeforthreecenturiesyet。Thebust，toothereintheStratfordChurch。Thepreciousbust，thepricelessbust，thecalmbust，theserenebust，theemotionlessbust，withthedandymustache，andtheputtyface，unseamedofcarethatfacewhichhaslookedpassionlesslydownupontheawedpilgrimforahundredandfiftyyearsandwillstilllookdownupontheawedpilgrimthreehundredmore，withthedeep，deep，deep，subtle，subtle，subtleexpressionofabladder。

XII

IrreverenceOneofthemosttryingdefectswhichIfindinthesethesewhatshallIcallthem？forIwillnotapplyinjuriousepithetstothem，thewaytheydotous，suchviolationsofcourtesybeingrepugnanttomynatureandmydignity。ThefarthestIcangointhatdirectionistocallthembynamesoflimitedreverence

namesmerelydescriptive，neverunkind，neveroffensive，nevertaintedbyharshfeeling。IfTHEYwoulddolikethis，theywouldfeelbetterintheirhearts。Verywell，thentoproceed。OneofthemosttryingdefectswhichIfindintheseStratfordolaters，theseShakesperiods，thesethugs，thesebangalores，thesetroglodytes，theseherumfrodites，theseblatherskites，thesebuccaneers，thesebandoleers，istheirspiritofirreverence。Itisdetectableineveryutteranceoftheirswhentheyaretalkingaboutus。Iamthankfulthatinmethereisnothingofthatspirit。Whenathingissacredtomeitisimpossibleformetobeirreverenttowardit。IcannotcalltomindasingleinstancewhereIhaveeverbeenirreverent，excepttowardsthethingswhichweresacredtootherpeople。AmIintheright？Ithinkso。ButIasknoonetotakemyunsupportedword;no，lookatthedictionary;letthedictionarydecide。Hereisthedefinition:

IRREVERENCE。ThequalityorconditionofirreverencetowardGodandsacredthings。

WhatdoestheHindusay？Hesaysitiscorrect。HesaysirreverenceislackofrespectforVishnu，andBrahma，andChrishna，andhisothergods，andforhissacredcattle，andforhistemplesandthethingswithinthem。Heendorsesthedefinition，yousee;andthereare300，000，000Hindusortheirequivalentsbackofhim。

ThedictionaryhadtheacuteideathatbyusingthecapitalGitcouldrestrictirreverencetolackofreverenceforOUR

Deityandoursacredthings，butthatingeniousandratherslyideamiscarried:forbythesimpleprocessofspellingHIS

deitieswithcapitalstheHinduconfiscatesthedefinitionandrestrictsittohisownsects，thusmakingitclearlycompulsoryuponustorevereHISgodsandHISsacredthings，andnobody’selse。Wecan’tsayaword，forhehadourowndictionaryathisback，anditsdecisionisfinal。

Thislaw，reducedtoitssimplestterms，isthis:

1。WhateverissacredtotheChristianmustbeheldinreverencebyeverybodyelse;2。whateverissacredtotheHindumustbeheldinreverencebyeverybodyelse;3。therefore，byconsequence，logically，andindisputably，whateverissacredtoMEmustbeheldinreverencebyeverybodyelse。

Nowthen，whataggravatesmeisthatthesetroglodytesandmuscovitesandbandoleersandbuccaneersareALSOtryingtocrowdinandsharethebenefitofthelaw，andcompeleverybodytoreveretheirShakespeareandholdhimsacred。Wecan’thavethat:there’senoughofusalready。Ifyougoonwideningandspreadingandinflatingtheprivilege，itwillpresentlycometobeconcededthateachman’ssacredthingsaretheONLYones，andtherestofthehumanracewillhavetobehumblyreverenttowardthemorsufferforit。Thatcansurelyhappen，andwhenithappens，thewordIrreverencewillberegardedasthemostmeaningless，andfoolish，andselfconceited，andinsolent，andimpudent，anddictatorialwordinthelanguage。Andpeoplewillsay，"WhosebusinessisitwhatgodsIworshipandwhatthingsholdsacred？Whohastherighttodictatetomyconscience，andwheredidhegetthatright？"

Wecannotaffordtoletthatcalamitycomeuponus。Wemustsavethewordfromthisdestruction。Thereisbutonewaytodoit，andthatistostopthespreadoftheprivilegeandstrictlyconfineittoitspresentlimitsthatis，toalltheChristiansects，toalltheHindusects，andme。Wedonotneedanymore，thestockiswateredenough，justasitis。

Itwouldbebetteriftheprivilegewerelimitedtomealone。IthinksobecauseIamtheonlysectthatknowshowtoemployitgently，kindly，charitably，dispassionately。Theothersectslackthequalityofselfrestraint。TheCatholicChurchsaysthemostirreverentthingsaboutmatterswhicharesacredtotheProtestants，andtheProtestantChurchretortsinkindabouttheconfessionalandothermatterswhichCatholicsholdsacred;

thenbothoftheseirreverencersturnuponThomasPaineandchargeHIMwithirreverence。Thisisallunfortunate，becauseitmakesitdifficultforstudentsequippedwithonlyalowgradeofmentalitytofindoutwhatIrreverencereallyIS。

Itwillsurelybemuchbetterallaroundiftheprivilegeofregulatingtheirreverentandkeepingtheminordershalleventuallybewithdrawnfromallthesectsbutme。Thentherewillbenomorequarreling，nomorebandyingofdisrespectfulepithets，nomoreheartburnings。

TherewillthenbenothingsacredinvolvedinthisBacon

Shakespearecontroversyexceptwhatissacredtome。Thatwillsimplifythewholematter，andtroublewillcease。Therewillbeirreverencenolonger，becauseIwillnotallowit。ThefirsttimethosecriminalschargemewithirreverenceforcallingtheirStratfordmythanArthurOrtonMaryBakerThompsonEddyLouis

theSeventeenthVeiledProphetofKhorassanwillbethelast。

TaughtbythemethodsfoundeffectiveinextinguishingearlieroffendersbytheInquisition，ofholymemory，Ishallknowhowtoquietthem。

XIII

Isn’titodd，whenyouthinkofit，thatyoumaylistallthecelebratedEnglishmen，Irishmen，andScotchmenofmoderntimes，clearbacktothefirstTudorsalistcontainingfivehundrednames，shallwesay？andyoucangotothehistories，biographies，andcyclopediasandlearntheparticularsofthelivesofeveryoneofthem。Everyoneofthemexceptonethemostfamous，themostrenownedbyfarthemostillustriousofthemallShakespeare！Youcangetthedetailsofthelivesofallthecelebratedecclesiasticsinthelist;allthecelebratedtragedians，comedians，singers，dancers，orators，judges，lawyers，poets，dramatists，historians，biographers，editors，inventors，reformers，statesmen，generals，admirals，discoverers，prizefighters，murderers，pirates，conspirators，horsejockeys，buncosteerers，misers，swindlers，explorers，adventurersbylandandsea，bankers，financiers，astronomers，naturalists，claimants，impostors，chemists，biologists，geologists，philologists，collegepresidentsandprofessors，architects，engineers，painters，sculptors，politicians，agitators，rebels，revolutionists，patriots，demagogues，clowns，cooks，freaks，philosophers，burglars，highwaymen，journalists，physicians，surgeonsyoucangetthelifehistoriesofallofthembutONE。

JustONEthemostextraordinaryandthemostcelebratedofthemall

Shakespeare！

YoumayaddtothelistthethousandcelebratedpersonsfurnishedbytherestofChristendominthepastfourcenturies，andyoucanfindoutthelifehistoriesofallthosepeople，too。

Youwillthenhavelistedfifteenhundredcelebrities，andyoucantracetheauthenticlifehistoriesofthewholeofthem。

SaveonefarandawaythemostcolossalprodigyoftheentireaccumulationShakespeare！AbouthimyoucanfindoutNOTHING。

Nothingofeventheslightestimportance。Nothingworththetroubleofstowingawayinyourmemory。Nothingthatevenremotelyindicatesthathewaseveranythingmorethanadistinctlycommonplacepersonamanager，anactorofinferiorgrade，asmalltraderinasmallvillagethatdidnotregardhimasapersonofanyconsequence，andhadforgottenallabouthimbeforehewasfairlycoldinhisgrave。WecangototherecordsandfindoutthelifehistoryofeveryrenownedRACEHORSEofmoderntimesbutnotShakespeare’s！Therearemanyreasonswhy，andtheyhavebeenfurnishedincartloads（ofguessandconjecture）bythosetroglodytes;butthereisonethatisworthalltherestofthereasonsputtogether，andisabundantlysufficientallbyitselfHEHADN’TANYHISTORYTORECORD。Thereisnowayofgettingaroundthatdeadlyfact。Andnosanewayhasyetbeendiscoveredofgettingarounditsformidablesignificance。

Itsquiteplainsignificancetoanybutthosethugs（Idonotusethetermunkindly）is，thatShakespearehadnoprominencewhilehelived，andnoneuntilhehadbeendeadtwoorthreegenerations。ThePlaysenjoyedhighfamefromthebeginning;andifhewrotethemitseemsapitytheworlddidnotfinditout。

Heoughttohaveexplainedthathewastheauthor，andnotmerelyaNOMDEPLUMEforanothermantohidebehind。Ifhehadbeenlessintemperatelysolicitousabouthisbones，andmoresolicitousabouthisWorks，itwouldhavebeenbetterforhisgoodname，andakindnesstous。Theboneswerenotimportant。

Theywillmoulderaway，theywillturntodust，buttheWorkswillendureuntilthelastsungoesdown。

MarkTwain。

P。S。MARCH25。AbouttwomonthsagoIwasilluminatingthisAutobiographywithsomenotionsofmineconcerningtheBaconShakespearecontroversy，andIthentookoccasiontoairtheopinionthattheStratfordShakespearewasapersonofnopublicconsequenceorcelebrityduringhislifetime，butwasutterlyobscureandunimportant。AndnotonlyingreatLondon，butalsointhelittlevillagewherehewasborn，wherehelivedaquarterofacentury，andwherehediedandwasburied。I

arguedthatifhehadbeenapersonofanynoteatall，agedvillagerswouldhavehadmuchtotellabouthimmanyandmanyayearafterhisdeath，insteadofbeingunabletofurnishinquirersasinglefactconnectedwithhim。Ibelieved，andI

stillbelieve，thatifhehadbeenfamous，hisnotorietywouldhavelastedaslongasminehaslastedinmynativevillageoutinMissouri。Itisagoodargument，aprodigiouslystrongone，andmostformidableoneforeventhemostgiftedandingeniousandplausibleStratfordolatortogetaroundorexplainaway。

TodayaHannibalCOURIERPOSTofrecentdatehasreachedme，withanarticleinitwhichreinforcesmycontentionthatareallycelebratedpersoncannotbeforgotteninhisvillageintheshortspaceofsixtyyears。Iwillmakeanextractfromit:

Hannibal，asacity，mayhavemanysinstoanswerfor，butingratitudeisnotoneofthem，orreverenceforthegreatmenshehasproduced，andastheyearsgobyhergreatestson，MarkTwain，orS。L。Clemensasafewoftheunletteredcallhim，growsintheestimationandregardoftheresidentsofthetownhemadefamousandthetownthatmadehimfamous。Hisnameisassociatedwitheveryoldbuildingthatistorndowntomakewayforthemodernstructuresdemandedbyarapidlygrowingcity，andwitheveryhillorcaveoverorthroughwhichhemightbyanypossibilityhaveroamed，whilethemanypointsofinterestwhichhewoveintohisstories，suchasHolidayHill，Jackson’sIsland，orMarkTwainCave，arenowmonumentstohisgenius。Hannibalisgladofanyopportunitytodohimhonorashehadhonoredher。

Soithashappenedthatthe"oldtimers"whowenttoschoolwithMarkorwerewithhimonsomeofhisusualescapadeshavebeenhonoredwithlargeaudienceswhenevertheywereinareminiscentmoodandcondescendedtotelloftheirintimacywiththeordinaryboywhocametobeaveryextraordinaryhumoristandwhoseeveryboyishactisnowseentohavebeenindicativeofwhatwastocome。LikeAuntBeckyandMrs。Clemens，theycannowseethatMarkwashardlyappreciatedwhenhelivedhereandthatthethingshedidasaboyandwaswhippedfordoingwerenotallbad，afterall。Sotheyhavebeeninnohesitancyaboutdrawingoutthebadthingshedidaswellasthegoodintheireffortstogeta"MarkTwain"story，allincidentsbeingviewedinthelightofhispresentfame，untilthevolumeof"Twainiana"isalreadyconsiderableandgrowinginproportionasthe"oldtimers"dropawayandthestoriesareretoldsecondandthirdhandbytheirdescendants。Withsomeseventythreeyearsandlivinginavillainsteadofahouse，heisafairtarget，andlethimincorporate，copyright，orpatenthimselfashewill，therearesomeofhis"works"thatwillgoswoopingupHannibalchimneysaslongasgraybeardsgatheraboutthefiresandbeginwith，"I’veheardfathertell，"orpossibly，"OncewhenI。"

TheMrs。ClemensreferredtoismymotherWASmymother。

AndhereisanotherextractfromaHannibalpaper，ofdatetwentydaysago:

MissBeccaBlankenshipdiedatthehomeofWilliamDickason，408RockStreet，at2。30o’clockyesterdayafternoon，aged72

years。Thedeceasedwasasisterof"HuckleberryFinn，"oneofthefamouscharactersinMarkTwain’sTOMSAWYER。ShehadbeenamemberoftheDickasonfamilythehousekeeperfornearlyforty

fiveyears，andwasahighlyrespectedlady。Forthepasteightyearsshehadbeenaninvalid，butwasaswellcaredforbyMr。Dickasonandhisfamilyasifshehadbeenanearrelative。

ShewasamemberoftheParkMethodistChurchandaChristianwoman。

Irememberherwell。Ihaveapictureofherinmymindwhichwasgraventhere，clearandsharpandvivid，sixtythreeyearsago。Shewasatthattimenineyearsold，andIwasabouteleven。Irememberwhereshestood，andhowshelooked;andI

canstillseeherbarefeet，herbarehead，herbrownface，andhershorttowlinenfrock。Shewascrying。WhatitwasaboutI

havelongagoforgotten。Butitwasthetearsthatpreservedthepictureforme，nodoubt。Shewasagoodchild，Icansaythatforher。Sheknewmenearlyseventyyearsago。Didsheforgetme，inthecourseoftime？Ithinknot。IfshehadlivedinStratfordinShakespeare’stime，wouldshehaveforgottenhim？

Yes。Forhewasneverfamousduringhislifetime，hewasutterlyobscureinStratford，andtherewouldn’tbeanyoccasiontorememberhimafterhehadbeendeadaweek。

"InjunJoe，""JimmyFinn，"and"GeneralGaines"wereprominentandveryintemperatene’erdoweelsinHannibaltwogenerationsago。Plentyofgrayheadsthererememberthemtothisday，andcantellyouaboutthem。Isn’titcuriousthattwo"towndrunkards"andonehalfbreedloafershouldleavebehindthem，inaremoteMissourianvillage，afameahundredtimesgreaterandseveralhundredtimesmoreparticularizedinthematterofdefinitefactsthanShakespeareleftbehindhiminthevillagewherehehadlivedthehalfofhislifetime？

MarkTwain。

EndASCRAPOFCURIOUSHISTORY

MarionCity，ontheMississippiRiver，intheStateofMissouriavillage;time，1845。LaBourboulelesBains，Franceavillage;time，theendofJune，1894。Iwasintheonevillageinthatearlytime;Iamintheothernow。Thesetimesandplacesaresufficientlywideapart，yettodayIhavethestrangesenseofbeingthrustbackintothatMissourianvillageandofrelivingcertainstirringdaysthatIlivedtheresolongago。

LastSaturdaynightthelifeofthePresidentoftheFrenchRepublicwastakenbyanItalianassassin。Lastnightamobsurroundedourhotel，shouting，howling，singingthe"Marseillaise，"andpeltingourwindowswithsticksandstones;