We struck the home trail now, and in a few hours were in that astonishing Chicago—a city where they are always rubbing a lamp, and fetching up the genii, and contriving and achieving new impossibilities. It is hopeless for the occasional visitor to try to keep up with Chicago—she outgrows her prophecies faster than she can make them. She is always a novelty; for she is never the Chicago you saw when you passed through the last time.

Mark Twain – “Life on the Mississippi,” 1883

Silent film footage taken in 1909 by Thomas Edison at Stormfield (CT) at Mark Twain’s estate. Twain is shown walkng around his home and playing cards with his daughters Clara and Jean. The flickering is due to film deterioration, but this is the only known footage of the great author.

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)

pbsthisdayinhistory:

FEB. 3, 1863:

SAMUEL CLEMENS USES MARK TWAIN PSEUDONYM

On this day in 1863, writer and humorist Samuel Langhorne Clemens used the pen name “Mark Twain” for the first time.

In 2002, Ken Burns profiled Mark Twain in a two-part special. Head on over to the accompanying site to study the Mark Twain timeline, and explore Mark Twain’s interactive scrapbook.

Giving up smoking is the easiest thing to do…

I was seldom able to see an opportunity until it had ceased to be one.

Mark Twain

MARK TWAIN GOOGLE DOODLE: Panoramic ‘Tom Sawyer’ logo colorfully celebrates legendary Clemens – Comic Riffs – The Washington Post

Happy Birthday Mark Twain.

MARK TWAIN GOOGLE DOODLE: Panoramic  ‘Tom Sawyer’ logo colorfully celebrates legendary Clemens – Comic Riffs – The Washington Post

Humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our irritations and resentments slip away and a sunny spirit takes their place.

Mark Twain

Last week I stated that this woman was the ugliest woman I had ever seen. I have since been visited by her sister and now wish to withdraw that statement.

Mark Twain

All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure.

Mark Twain

I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him.

Mark Twain