The Innocents Abroad

PREFACE:

This book is a record of a pleasure trip. If it were a record of a solemn scientific expedition, it would have about it that gravity, that profundity, and that impressive incomprehensibility which are so proper to works of that kind, and withal so attractive. Yet notwithstanding it is only a record of a pic-nic, it has a purpose, which is to suggest to the reader how he would be likely to see Europe and the East if he looked at them with his own eyes instead of the eyes of those who traveled in those countries before him. I make small pretense of showing anyone how he ought to look at objects of interest beyond the sea***** books do that, and therefore, even if I were competent to do it, there is no need.

I offer no apologies for any departures from the usual style of travel-writing that may be charged against me*** I think I have seen with impartial eyes, and I am sure I have written at least honestly, whether wisely or not. In this volume I have used portions of letters which I wrote for the Daily Alta California, of San Francisco, the proprietors of that journal having waived their rights and given me the necessary permission. I have also inserted portions of several letters written for the New York Tribune and the New York Herald.--THE AUTHOR. SAN FRANCISCO.

A most delightful account of Mark Twain's trip abroad in the mid eighteenth century, that can actually be related to as if it were written today. He takes you through every experience in great detail and you feel like you are there experiencing it too. You will marvel over and over again at his unique and superb way of writing. You will learn of his impressions of the voyage on the ship itself, of the people he encounters, and of the countries he visits. His point of view is not what you would expect, and it continually surprises. Unless you have an extensive vocabulary, You will undoubtedly be referring to your dictionary for many uncommonly used, but clever, intriguing, and amazing words that he uses to describe whomever or whatever he encounters. "The Innocents Abroad" is a completely satisfying journey to the very end. And here is a promise: You will laugh out loud all the way through this celebrated, wonderful book.--Submitted by Marjorie McGee