One day there arrived from Europe a caller with a letter of introduction from Elizabeth, Queen of Rumania, better known as Carmen Sylva.The visitor was Madam Hartwig, formerly an American girl, returning now, because of reduced fortunes, to find profitable employment in her own land.Her husband, a man of high principle, had declined to take part in an "affair of honor," as recognized by the Continental code; hence his ruin.Elizabeth of Rumania was one of the most loved and respected of European queens and an author of distinction.Mark Twain had known her in Vienna.Her letter to him and his own letter to the public (perhaps a second one, for its date is two years later) follow herewith.
From Carmen Sylva to Mark Twain:
BUCAREST, May 9, 1902.
HONORED MASTER,--If I venture to address you on behalf of a poor lady, who is stranded in Bucarest I hope not to be too disagreeable.
Mrs.Hartwig left America at the age of fourteen in order to learn to sing which she has done thoroughly.Her husband had quite a brilliant situation here till he refused to partake 'dans une afaire onereuse', so it seems.They haven't a penny and each of them must try to find a living.She is very nice and pleasant and her school is so good that she most certainly can give excellent singing lessons.
I beg your pardon for being a bore to one I so deeply love and admire, to whom I owe days and days of forgetfulness of self and troubles and the intensest of all joys: Hero-worship! People don't always realize what a happiness that is! God bless you for every beautiful thought you poured into my tired heart and for every smile on a weary way!
CARMEN SYLVA.
From Mark Twain to the Public:
Nov.16, '04.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN,--I desire to recommend Madame Hartwig to my friends and the public as a teacher of singing and as a concert-vocalist.
She has lived for fifteen years at the court of Roumania, and she brought with her to America an autograph letter in which her Majesty the Queen of Roumania cordially certified her to me as being an accomplished and gifted singer and teacher of singing, and expressed a warm hope that her professional venture among us would meet with success; through absence in Europe I have had no opportunity to test the validity of the Queen's judgment in the matter, but that judgment is the utterance of an entirely competent authority--the best that occupies a throne, and as good as any that sits elsewhere, as the musical world well knows--and therefore back it without hesitation, and endorse it with confidence.
I will explain that the reason her Majesty tried to do her friend a friendly office through me instead of through someone else was, not that I was particularly the right or best person for the office, but because Iwas not a stranger.It is true that I am a stranger to some of the monarchs--mainly through their neglect of their opportunities--but such is not the case in the present instance.The latter fact is a high compliment to me, and perhaps I ought to conceal it.Some people would.
MARK TWAIN.
Mrs.Clemens's improvement was scarcely perceptible.It was not until October that they were able to remove her to Riverdale, and then only in a specially arranged invalid-car.At the end of the long journey she was carried to her room and did not leave it again for many months.
To Rev.J.H.Twichell, in Hartford:
RIVERDALE, N.Y., Oct.31, '02.
DEAR JOE,--It is ten days since Susy [Twichell] wrote that you were laid up with a sprained shoulder, since which time we have had no news about it.I hope that no news is good news, according to the proverb; still, authoritative confirmation of it will be gladly received in this family, if some of you will furnish it.Moreover, I should like to know how and where it happened.In the pulpit, as like as not, otherwise you would not be taking so much pains to conceal it.This is not a malicious suggestion, and not a personally-invented one: you told me yourself, once, that you threw artificial power and impressiveness into places in your sermons where needed, by "banging the bible"--(your own words.)You have reached a time of life when it is not wise to take these risks.
You would better jump around.We all have to change our methods as the infirmities of age creep upon us.Jumping around will be impressive now, whereas before you were gray it would have excited remark.
Poor Livy drags along drearily.It must be hard times for that turbulent spirit.It will be a long time before she is on her feet again.It is a most pathetic case.I wish I could transfer it to myself.Between ripping and raging and smoking and reading, I could get a good deal of a holiday out of it.
Clara runs the house smoothly and capably.She is discharging a trial-cook today and hiring another.
A power of love to you all!
MARK.
Such was the state of Mrs.Clemens's health that visitors were excluded from the sick room, and even Clemens himself was allowed to see her no more than a few moments at a time.These brief, precious visits were the chief interests of his long days.Occasionally he was allowed to send her a few lines, reporting his occupations, and these she was sometimes permitted to answer.Only one of his notes has been preserved, written after a day, now rare, of literary effort.Its signature, the letter Y, stands for "Youth," always her name for him.
To Mrs.Clemens:
DEAR HEART,--I've done another full day's work, and finished before 4.
I have been reading and dozing since and would have had a real sleep a few minutes ago but for an incursion to bring me a couple of unimportant letters.I've stuck to the bed all day and am getting back my lost ground.Next time I will be strictly careful and make my visit very short--just a kiss and a rush.Thank you for your dear, dear note; you who are my own and only sweetheart.
Sleep well!
Y.