Clemens complained of forgetfulness; lost much by not writing things down at once; thought of learning short hand, but found the only way to learn would be to hire a teacher to live with him till he mastered it. . . . Also he wished he could have with him the coming summer in England a suitable person to help take notes. An Englishman would not notice things that would strike Americans as peculiar. And in some cases a substitute could go when he wanted to go somewhere else. Having been a sailor I had thought of taking a healthful summer holiday by shipping before the mast for a voyage or two, and doing a little sight seeing about the ports. But it occurred to me that I might get up short hand and go for the summer with Clemens if he wanted me. He seemed pleased at the idea. I had occasion to run down to New York. Monson’s was the leading system in shorthand. He was in Park Row. I had a talk with him and got a copy of his work. . . . I put in all my spare time for six weeks, teaching and timing myself. . . . Then I went again to see Clemens. Dudley Warner was with him in his study, manuscript all around, hurrying to finish “The [G]ilded Age.[”] . . . He wanted me to go over in the same steamer, and all the state rooms had been engaged weeks before, his on the Cunarder “Batavia.” Warner suggested that Clemens write to the Captain, Mouland. The latter [[and]] Clemens were chummy. The Captain had visited him and he preferred to cross by the Batavia when possible. (Thompson, 76–78)