The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Scrap Book, Volume 1, No. 3, by Various

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Title: The Scrap Book, Volume 1, No. 3
May 1906

Author: Various

Release Date: April 24, 2010 [EBook #32120]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SCRAP BOOK, VOLUME 1, NO. 3 ***

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THE SCRAP BOOK.

Vol. I. MAY, 1906. No. 3.

MARK TWAIN'S IDEAL GENTLEMAN.

On the arms of the Prince of Wales are the words _Ich dien_--"I serve."
Thus he who stands next to the English king expresses in terms of service
that gentle and knightly rank which is typified by his high position.

Speaking to a New York audience a few weeks ago, Mark Twain made passing
reference to the communications which he receives from strangers who ask
for his counsel or advice. "Here is such a request," he said. "It is a
telegram from Joplin, Missouri, and it reads: 'In what one of your books
can we find the definition of a gentleman?' I have not answered that
telegram," he continued. "I couldn't. It seems to me that if any man has
just, merciful, and kindly instincts, he will be a gentleman, for he will
need nothing else in this world."

Taking from his pocket a letter from William Dean Howells, the speaker
went on:

"I received the other day a letter from my old friend,
William Dean Howells--Howells, the head of American
literature. No one is able to stand with him. He is an old,
old friend of mine, and he writes me: 'To-morrow I shall be
sixty-nine years old.' Why, I am surprised at Howells
writing that. I have known him longer than that. I'm sorry
to see a man trying to appear so young. Let's see, Howells
says now, 'I see you have been burying Patrick. I suppose he
was old, too.'"

There was silence. For a short time the great humorist and humanitarian
stood there apparently oblivious to his audience, reminiscence working in
his heart. Then, with spontaneous eloquence, he delivered the following
noble tribute, which must rank among the loftier