Vol 3 Section 0407

Sam wanted Moffett to take a “good short-hand man” with him to see the doctor and ask a list of questions—unfortunately the page with the questions is missing [MTP].

John Brisben Walker for Cosmopolitan wrote a tongue in cheek note to Sam, enclosing a letter from a man who quoted from the Mar. 14, 1900 issue of Christian Observer that after Twain’s article newspapers and magazines had been paid to not publish more about Christian Science. Walker’s note:

“I have told these people that you are the fellow who received fifty thousand dollars for agreeing not to publish anything more about the Christian Scientists. My own impression is that it would be cheap at the price; but I had no idea what a deep-dyed scoundrel you were. / Yours in crime.…” [MTP].

April 24 Tuesday – At 30 Wellington Court in London, England Sam wrote to an unidentified man from an unidentified committee to decline an invitation to respond to a given toast, also unidentified. Sam could not do so, and would have to prepare a speech, but afterward “should never be able to remember it.”

I think it would be best to let Mr. Hawkins do the responding; then, if any of his statements shall seem to need refuting, or expanding, or clarifying, or backing up, that is proper work for an unclassified volunteer; & if, upon reflection, you should choose to call me up in that character, I would obey orders & do as well as I could [MTP].

Note: Sam did respond to a toast to literature at the annual dinner of the Royal Literary Fund on May 2; it is likely this note is in reference to that gathering, moreso since Anthony Hope Hawkins (better known as Anthony Hope 1863-1933) is listed in the NY Times May 3 article on the event—see entry. Hawkins was a prolific English author and playwright, who is most remembered for Prisoner of Zenda (1894). Gribben lists two of his books but not Zenda [301].

Sam’s notebook: “McClure coming” [NB 43 TS 8].

The Society of the Middle Temple sent an engraved invitation to Sam for a dinner on Wednesday, May 2 at 6:45 p.m. [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the invitation “Previous Engagement” which would be the Royal Literary Fund dinner.

April 25 Wednesday – At 30 Wellington Court in London, England Sam wrote to Frank Bliss.

Col. Harvey has been here, & I arranged with him that the Harpers are to issue no cheap editions of the old books….That is all stopped.

If you were going to issue a cheap “Library of Humor” it is just as well that the plates were melted, for we don’t want any cheap editions, I think. They don’t pay. / Sincerely… [MTP].

Sam also replied to Francis Dalzell Finlay, who was staying at the Hotel Metropole, in Brighton.

Yes, sir, there is a Devil; but you must not speak disrespectfully of him, for he is an uncle of mine.

Meantime, you will land in his summer resort before you are ready if you keep on trusting your carcase to doctors: Why not to shoemakers—since you must do insane things? [MTP]. Note: Finlay’s incoming is not extant. Sam met Finlay in 1873 in Belfast, Ireland. See entries on Finlay in Vol. 1 & 2.

Sam also wrote to his sister, Pamela Moffett, then in Phoebus, Va.

We have moved heaven & hell & the earth, trying to find out something definite about Osteopathy— something to justify us in venturing to cross the ocean with the prospect of finding it as good as Kellgren’s method; but all our friends & relatives are damned fools incredibly indifferent & incompetent. (I am not

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