a letter has no place in this collection.  It was published in the “Drawer” of Harper’s Magazine, December, 1887, and is now included in the uniform edition of his works under the title of, “A Petition to the Queen of England.”

From the following letter, written at the end of the year, we gather
that the type-setter costs were beginning to make a difference in
the Clemens economies.

To Mrs. Moffett, in Fredonia: 

Hartford, Dec. 18, ’87.  Dear Pamela,—­will you take this $15 and buy some candy or some other trifle for yourself and Sam and his wife to remember that we remember you, by?

If we weren’t a little crowded this year by the typesetter, I’d send a check large enough to buy a family Bible or some other useful thing like that.  However we go on and on, but the type-setter goes on forever—­at $3,000 a month; which is much more satisfactory than was the case the first seventeen months, when the bill only averaged $2,000, and promised to take a thousand years.  We’ll be through, now, in 3 or 4 months, I reckon, and then the strain will let up and we can breathe freely once more, whether success ensues or failure.

Even with a type-setter on hand we ought not to be in the least scrimped —­but it would take a long letter to explain why and who is to blame.

All the family send love to all of you and best Christmas wishes for your
prosperity. 
                    Affectionately,
                                        Sam.

XXVIII

Letters,1888.  A Yale degree.  Work on “The Yankee.”  On interviewing, etc.

Mark Twain received his first college degree when he was made Master of Arts by Yale, in June, 1888.  Editor of the Courant, Charles H. Clarke, was selected to notify him of his new title.  Clarke was an old friend to whom Clemens could write familiarly.

To Charles H. Clarke, in Hartford: 

Elmira, July 2, ’88. 
My dear Charles,—­Thanks for your thanks, and for your initiation intentions.  I shall be ready for you.  I feel mighty proud of that degree; in fact, I could squeeze the truth a little closer and say vain of it.  And why shouldn’t I be?—­I am the only literary animal of my particular subspecies who has ever been given a degree by any College in any age of the world, as far as I know. 
Sincerely Yours
S. L. Clemens M. A.

Reply:  Charles H. Clarke to S. L Clemens: 

My dear friend, You are “the only literary animal of your particular
subspecies” in existence and you’ve no cause for humility in the fact. 
Yale has done herself at least as much credit as she has done you, and
“Don’t you forget it.” 
                              C. H. C.