Vol 3 Section 0342
“His friendliest critics believed that Twain was innocently ignorant of the facts. Simon Wolf, a founder of the American Jewish Historical Society, sent Twain a copy of his book, The American Jew as Patriot, Soldier and Citizen, to correct some of his misconceptions” [by permission of Jewish virtual library. Org: Baird: “Mark Twain and the Jews”; emphasis added].
Sam also wrote an unnamed poem on this day [Scott, MT Poetry 123-5].
Sam’s essay, “My Boyhood Dreams” signed “Sanna, Sweden, Sept. 15th” 1899, and would run in McClure’s for Jan. 1900.
Frank Bliss wrote to Sam, enclosing financial statements for books sold to July 1, giving 2946.34 due, of which $700 was paid to Whitmore. The Uniform set was “progressing,” although subscriptions were poor during summer.
Regarding the English edition, there seems to be a delay in getting the matter of the copyright with Harper settled. I do not know yet how it is coming out, although Rogers told me the last time I saw him that he thought it would be fixed satisfactorily. It is in his hands and has been for some considerable time, and I suppose that he will get it fixed just as soon as he can. I don’t like to annoy him by crowding too hard. I have just written Chatto & Windus that we would proceed to get the books out, and do our utmost to get them over there at the earliest possible moment….There is one change which they have asked, however, which is
quite serious. They want all our copyright marks taken off, and our lawyer here tells us it will not do; that we shall imperil our copyrights here if we issue the books that way. He says notwithstanding the books are made for the English market, that we are really the publishers of the books, and they are virtually issued from us in this country, and we shall lose our copyrights if we take the marks off [MTHHR 413-4n1; MTP].
Sam dated a poem, “To the Above Old People” Sept. 15, 1899. It was published in the Jan. 1900 issue of McClure’s [Camfield’s Bibliog.].
September 16 Saturday – Sam inscribed a card later sold in a copy of HF to an unidentified person:
“Truly Yours, Mark Twain, Sanna, Sweden, Sept. 16, 99” [MTP: Swann Galleries catalogs, 30 Sept. 1948, Item 313].
September 17 Sunday – In Sanna, Sweden, Livy wrote to Chatto & Windus, asking they send her at their “earliest convenience” a copy of JA [MTP].
September 18 Monday – In Sanna, Sweden Sam wrote to Mai Rogers Coe, now in London at the Carlton Hotel.
It was a great pleasure to get your note [not extant] this morning & know that you were again within reaching distance of us. Also that you have found Harry & have got him under control. I hope you are not intending to sail before we reach London—which will be the afternoon or evening of Sept. 30. …
I have not heard from your father for some little time, & it makes me uneasy about him. It is too likely that he is off yachting somewhere with Rice, & picking up Rice’s loose principles & indolent ways [MTP]. Note: Dr. Clarence C. Rice’s “morals” were a standing joke between Clemens and Rogers.
Sam also wrote to Laurence Hutton after seeing the news article of Sept. 5 which reported Twain would be living in Princeton, N.J.. upon his return.
The enclosed comes to-day from America. I wish it could be made true. Months ago I did write Mr. Bare
inquire about quarters, but we couldn’t make a definite arrangement because we couldn’t tell for sure when we should be able to sail for home. Since we came here early in July to get Jean doctored up we have found out that she will have to continue the treatment in London, & possibly keep it up all winter before her cure is perfect. She has made astonishing progress in these 2½ months.
SLC used mourning border for most letters from Susy’s death on, then from Livy’s death on.