Atthe dedication of the college
of the city of new York,
may
16, 1908
Mr.
Clemens wore his gown as Doctor of Laws, Oxford University.
Ambassador
Bryce and Mr. Choate had made the formal addresses.
How difficult, indeed, is the higher education.
Mr. Choate needs a little of it. He is not
only short as a statistician of New York, but he is
off, far off, in his mathematics. The four thousand
citizens of Greater New York, indeed!
But I don’t think it was wise or judicious on
the part of Mr. Choate to show this higher education
he has obtained. He sat in the lap of that great
education (I was there at the time), and see the result—the
lamentable result. Maybe if he had had a sandwich
here to sustain him the result would not have been
so serious.
For seventy-two years I have been striving to acquire
that higher education which stands for modesty and
diffidence, and it doesn’t work.
And then look at Ambassador Bryce, who referred to
his alma mater, Oxford. He might just as well
have included me. Well, I am a later production.
If I am the latest graduate, I really and sincerely
hope I am not the final flower of its seven centuries;
I hope it may go on for seven ages longer.
Addressto the Vienna press club,
November 21, 1897,
delivered
in German [Here in literal translation]
It has me deeply touched, my gentlemen, here so hospitably
received to be. From colleagues out of my own
profession, in this from my own home so far distant
land. My heart is full of gratitude, but my poverty
of German words forces me to greater economy of expression.
Excuse you, my gentlemen, that I read off, what I
you say will. [But he didn’t read].
The German language speak I not good, but have numerous
connoisseurs me assured that I her write like an angel.
Maybe—maybe—I know not.
Have till now no acquaintance with the angels had.
That comes later—when it the dear God
please—it has no hurry.
Since long, my gentlemen, have I the passionate longing
nursed a speech on German to hold, but one has me
not permitted. Men, who no feeling for the art
had, laid me ever hindrance in the way and made naught
my desire —sometimes by excuses, often
by force. Always said these men to me:
“Keep you still, your Highness! Silence!
For God’s sake seek another way and means yourself
obnoxious to make.”
