Vol 3 Section 0329
her hope that the Spaldings were well and “are having a good season” [MTP]. Note: Queen Anne Mansions wrote to Percy Spalding on July 15, and their letter was enclosed in Percy’s July 20 letter.
July 24 Monday – A letter by Clemens to Joseph Hatton was assigned this date by a June 25, 2003 auction sale of Bonhams & Butterfields. The text is not available; the catalog listing from the MTP shows the letter pasted to the front flyleaf of a First English Edition of PW, “an Autograph Letter Signed, July 24 [1899], to Mr. Hatton, regretting that they will be unable to meet prior to his trip to Sweden, signed (“S.L. Clemens” pasted to front flyleaf” [Sale 7443z, Lot 3171]. Note: the Clemens family left for Sanna earlier, on July 7, so either it is a letter (from Sweden) about not meeting in a past tense, or the letter is misdated.
July 25 Tuesday – Sam’s notebook:
July 25, ’99, Sanna: Jean had a convulsion in bed at noon—fortunately the Director had just entered the roon.
It was tolerably severe. He relieved her.
At 5 she had another while sitting on the porch, Livy & I present. We were not able to carry her in—so laid her on the floor & did what we could till we sent for & got Miss Moore. By & by it passed & we got her to bed [NB 42 TS 57].
July 26 Wednesday – Jean Clemens’ nineteenth birthday.
July 27 Thursday
July 28 Friday
July 29 Saturday – The New York Times, p.BR500:
Mark Twain’s Editions in London
It seems that the sojourn of Mark Twain in London is quite as likely to benefit the English people as it is himself. As was said in a cable dispatch to THE TIMES SATURDAY REVIEW not long ago, Mr. Clemens was in London in order to superintend the publication of an edition de lux of his works. This edition will be presented simultaneously in England and America. But this is not all. We understand that there will shortly appear on the other side an authorized uniform edition of the entire works of Samuel L. Clemens. This last is the outcome of the constant appeals that have been made to the author of “Innocents Abroad” ever since his arrival in the British metropolis. But if a popular uniform English edition, why not a popular uniform American edition?
Mark Twain first made his appearance in London in 1867, through a little volume of sketches headed by the celebrated “Story of the Jumping Frog.” Three years later appeared in London “Innocents Abroad; or, The New Pilgrim’s Progress.” In 1871 a number of works by this author were presented to the London public under various titles: “Screamers,” “Eye-openers,” “A Burlesque Autobiography,” and “A Pleasure Trip on the Continent.” All these books were published through Messrs. Hotten and were not authorized by the author. A collection of Mark Twain’s writings was publisher over there by J. C. Hotten in 1873 entitled “Choice Humorous Works,” and to the following year Messrs. Chatto presented a collection called “Choice Works,” and then, in 1876, came “Tom Sawyer” and in 1880 “Tramps Abroad,” and so on—the later works being copyrighted editions.
The edition de lux now in preparation will be an autograph one, in twenty-two octavo volumes. “Innocents Abroad” together with a critical estimate of the famous humorist by Prof. Brander Matthews, will occupy the first two. This critique includes 7,000 words, and is said to be very exhaustive. The arrangement of the edition, which will be limited to something over 1,000 sets for America and England, is as follows:
BOOKS OF TRAVEL.
“The Innocents Abroad,” illustrated by Peter Newell, two volumes. With biographical criticism by Brander Matthews.
“A Tramp Abroad,” illustrated by T. De Thulstrup, two volumes.
SLC used mourning border for most letters from Susy’s death on, then from Livy’s death on.