MARK TWAIN

Mark Twain

Steamboat

Mark Twain was the pseudonym of American author Samuel Langhorne Clemens, 1815-1910.  The two words “mark twain” were a Mississippi River phrase for two fathoms deep!  Clemens had, at one time, been a steam boat river pilot.

Tom Sawyer

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is still to be found in libraries and some book stores. I recently encouraged a high school learner to read it. Then used passages from the story as comprehension exercises.  At first many frowns and sighs were heard but eventually Tom’s cheeky escapades won the day.  To make things more interesting references were made to a couple of the author’s other books: The Innocent Abroad and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. To increase interest in the reading process we discussed Twain’s visit to South Africa. 

The author, during a world tour, visited this country.  He reached Durban on 6 May 1896, accompanied by his wife and daughter.  His stay here was spent travelling around giving talks and taking an interest in political issues of the time.  When questioned as to his local knowledge he referred to his acquaintance with the Jameson Raid member ( Decembr 1895), John Hays Hammond and his intention of visiting the individual then being held in the Pretoria jail. Dr Leander Starr Jameson had been the leader of a group of men trying to overthrow the Transvaal government. Cecil John Rhodes having been the instigator.  Unfortunately for Jameson and the other men, the attempt backfired and they found themselves in the Pretoria prison.  Twain also made a point of stating that he read newspapers to keep abreast of topical affairs.  He was keen to meet Rhodes whom he had been told was an “extraordinary man.”

Olive Schreiner

When questioned about local authors particularly Olive Schreiner his reply indicated a dash of chauvinism.  He had read her book  Story of an African Farm and examined the book for its workmanship and thought the greater part was “written crudely” and then stated….”it was a plenty good-enough book for a girl of her age…”  One wonders whether this statement was due to the author’s views on feminism ?  Perhaps feeling he had made a social blunder he said she had “a gift beyond the ordinary…gave large promise…which was not fulfilled in her first effort.”

When he arrived in Cape Town he gave talks at the old Opera House in the city – this building, no longer exists but at the time was approximately in the vicinity of Adderley, Parliament and Darling Streets.  When this venue was not available for further bookings the Claremont Town Hall was used.

It is obvious from newspaper clippings of the time that the American author and humorist  was very well received.  His audiences were appreciative of his style and the content of the talks.  They drew, apart from the general population, well placed government members, a number of military officers and “intelligent members of the community.”

His presentation was simple and held the attention of the people present.  He would walk slowly onto the stage, take up a position before the footlights, fold his arms and begin talking.  It was if he was speaking to a few friends and not the many people filling the halls. During his time here Twain was able to attend a debate in the Cape House of Assembly and is reported to have stated that “they quarrelled in two languages while I was there and agreed in none.”  As a visitor he admired the Cape’s scenery and the architecture of the Cape Dutch houses.  He left Cape Town on 15 July 1896.