The Clemens family did not return to the Metropole for the winter, but
went to the new Krantz, already mentioned, where they had a handsome and
commodious suite looking down on the Neuer Markt and on the beautiful
facade of the Capuchin church, with the great cathedral only a step
away. There they passed another brilliant and busy winter. Never in
Europe had they been more comfortably situated; attention had been
never more lavishly paid to them. Their drawing-room was a salon which
acquired the name of the “Second Embassy.” Clemens in his note-book
wrote:
During 8 years now I have filled the position--with some credit, I
trust, of self-appointed ambassador-at-large of the United States of
America--without salary.
Which was a joke; but there was a large grain of truth in it, for Mark
Twain, more than any other American in Europe, was regarded as typically
representing his nation and received more lavish honors.
It had become the fashion to consult him on every question of public
interest, for he was certain to say something worth printing, whether
seriously or otherwise. When the Tsar of Russia proposed the disarmament
of the nations William T. Stead, editor of the Review of Reviews, wrote
for Mark Twain's opinion. He replied:
DEAR MR. STEADY,--The Tsar is ready to disarm. I am ready to disarm.
Collect the others; it should not be much of a task now.