Vol 3 Section 0053

It has been call[ed] the Paradise of the Pauper. That is not quite right. It is the Paradise of the Poor— meaning the Straightened, the Reduced, the possessors of but small incomes, moderate means [NB 41 TS 6-7].

January 30 Saturday – At 23 Tedworth Square in London, Sam wrote to Ainsworth R. Spofford at the Library of Congress, Wash. D.C., making formal application for copyright renewal of IA, [MTP]. Note: He may have done this not certain that Bliss would perform in time.

Speaker included an anonymous review of TS,D p.135. “Brief and appreciative: not up to TS ,but good [Tenney: “A Reference Guide Third Annual Supplement,” American Literary Realism, Autumn 1979 p. 185].

Sam’s notebook:

Saturday, Jan 30/97. The pedestal of the bronze be-ruffled Charles I is well clothed in wreaths of white flowers, with mottoes,—this is a lament by irreconcilable English “legitimists,” to commemorate what they think was a calamity—the beheading of Charles Jan 21, 1649—they celebrate tomorrow, (that apparently standing for Jan 21 O.S.) Charles’ back is toward Nelson in the sky on his column-top, he looks down Whitehall, past the palace where he was executed & past the Horse-Guards & Downing street, political executive centre of the vast British Empire—& his bronze glance strikes the great tower of the Parliament; further down—the legislative centre of the B.E.

In Hartford there is a family of American donkeys who shut themselves up Jan. 21 & snivel over

Charles’s death. I suppose there are people who would regret Satan if they could attract any attention by it.

Those Americans are Episcopals [NB 41 TS 7-8].

January 31 Sunday – Fatout lists a dinner for Poultney Bigelow, where Sam told a story or gave a talk. Among guests were Lord Young, Chief of the Judiciary of Scotland; Sir William Vernon Harcourt, leader of the Opposition, House of Commons; and Herbert Gladstone, son of the former prime minister [MT Speaking 665]. Note: Fatout does not mention Armitage and gives no source, but it’s likely the following notebook entry. And, it’s doubtful it was anything formal, or if Sam did talk, it was not a prepared speech. Sam’s notebook entry shows this event, a rare outing for this period of mourning:

Jan. 31, Sunday. Went with Poultney Bigelow & dined with Mr. Armitage. Present, Lord Young, Chief of the Judiciary of Scotland, Sir Wm Vernon Harcourt, leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons, & Herbert Gladstone (son of his father. Mr. A. is a bachelor of about 70, & has a fine house which is up against St. James’s Palace. He has been a good part of his life in Parliament & a close friend of Mr. Gladstone. I remembered Harcourt very well; saw him several times with Lord Houghton & Robert Browning, 1873 [NB 41 TS 8].

February – The London Bookman p. 151-2 reviewed TS,D: “We have liked Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn better in

other circumstances,” but there are “much feebler things” in the book: “In ‘Adam’s Diary’ Mark Twain is at his feeblest and vulgarest; he fell no lower in ‘A Yankee at the Court of King Arthur’” [Tenney 26].

Gilbert Burgess wrote to Sam sometime during the month, hoping that sometime during Sam’s stay he might accept honorary membership (club not specified); he would “receive a very hearty welcome” [MTP]. Note in file to see 3 Mar 1897 to Burgess; this likely in response.

Baetzhold writes,

One day in February, 1897, another old friend and fellow-author, Poultney Bigelow, persuaded Clemens to take tea with the Bigelow’s neighbor, Lady Mary Monkswell. Lady Mary’s diary account, besides presenting a brief portrait of the humorist, suggests the sort of occasion he enjoyed during these dark days.

SLC used mourning border for most letters from Susy’s death on, then from Livy’s death on.