ABSTRACT
Somethirty-fiveyearsagoMr.SamuelClemens-orMarkTwainas itispleasantertocallhim-wasdeputedbyhisfellow-passengersto askforrecognitionfromtheRoyalHumaneSocietyforthecaptain andthelifeboatcrewofthesteamerBataviaforsavinglifeatsea.Quite characteristically,heaskedfornorewardforhimself.Hewassatisfied ifhehadbeenofanyservice'standingaroundthedeckinafurious storm,withoutanyumbrelb,keepinganeyeonthingsandseeingthat theyweredoneright,andyellingwheneveracheerseemedtheimportantthing.'Thatwasenoughforhim;butwlutheaskedforwas recognitionforthecaptainandthecrewfromtheHumaneSociety, who,hewrote,would'insorememberingthemincreasethehigh honourandesteeminwhichtheSocietyisheldalloverthecivilised world.'Perhapswemayreapplythewordstothepositionofthe authoratthepresentmoment.Another'humanesociety'isproposing toconferadistinctionuponanhonouredpersonage.TheUniversity ofOxfordhasofferedanhonorarydegreetoMarkTwain,whichwill beconferreduponhimattheforthcomingCommemoration,anditis certainlytruethatinhonouringthegreatAmericanwriterOxford honoursherself.Tothemajorityofhersons,perhaps,itfallsto'stand aroundthedeck'andtocheerwheneveracheerseemsnecessary,while thedistinguishedfewoccupytheattentionofcountries:~ndcontinents. Butitistheprivilegeofall,asowningthesamemotherhood,tobestow fraternalhonoursandcompliments.Suchadistinctionasanhonorary
degree is offered in hearty recognition of the name, not only of a man of letters, but one who has set an example of upright, brave, and strenuous living.
