- Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain (Project Gutenberg)
“Life on the Mississippi” by Mark Twain is a memoir and historical account written during the late 19th century. The narrative focuses on the author’s experiences as a young riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River, providing insights into the river’s history, geography, and the profession of piloting, intertwined with Twain’s characteristic wit and humor. The opening of the memoir begins with Twain discussing the remarkable features of the Mississippi River, highlighting its unusual shape, immense drainage basin, and significant historical importance. He reflects on the river’s physical properties, such as its ability to shift locations and the vast amount of sediment it carries to the Gulf of Mexico. Twain introduces historical figures like De Soto and La Salle, tracing the exploration and subsequent navigation of this great waterway. Through vivid descriptions and engaging anecdotes, the beginning sets the stage for a deeper exploration of life on the river, the challenges faced by pilots, and the culture surrounding steamboat travel in Twain’s time. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
- The Mysterious Stranger, and Other Stories by Mark Twain (Project Gutenberg)
It was in 1590—winter. Austria was far away from the world, and asleep; it was still the Middle Ages in Austria, and promised to remain so forever. Some even set it away back centuries upon centuries and said that by the mental and spiritual clock it was still the Age of Belief in Austria. But they meant it as a compliment, not a slur, and it was so taken, and we were all proud of it. I remember it well, although I was only a boy; and I remember, too, the pleasure it gave me.