King Edward and Mark Twain
To the Editor of The New York Times:
The death of King Edward VII so soon following that of him whom English-speaking peopled termed "America's uncrowned King," the late Mark Twain, reminds me of an incident illustrating the pure Americanism of Twain. He was invited to a garden party given by the King at Buckingham Palace. I asked him how he enjoyed the garden party and he answered in his well-known drawl:
"The - King - seemed - to - enjoy it."
He told me he was ushered to the front at the garden party, where the King and Queen were receiving, which was a raised part of the garden. The people applauded as he neared the sovereign, and this is how he described what occurred:
"I knew we were the centre of all eyes, and I felt my oats. When I approached King Edward, he extended his right hand, and as I took it he placed his other hand on my shoulder. I thought to myself if the King could put his hand on my shoulder I could put mine on his, and so I did. There we were two great men stood before all the people 'layin' on of hands.' "
WILLET F. COOK.
Canajoharie, N. Y., May 6, 1910.
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