Mark Twain's humour has secured him a large audience not only in America and this country, but also in Germany and other Continental countries. It is the dry, incisive humour of a shrewd man of the world who, having gone through life with his eyes wide open, has cheered himself by laughing not merely at the faibles of his fellow-men, but, by implication, at his own as well. He was not very reverent in his attitude towards what he considers worn-out survivals of old beliefs and superstitions, and sometimes poked fun without much discrimination. This is volume one out of two of one of the best biographies ever written about this outstanding author and covers the years 1835 to 1885.