Vol 3 Section 0424

the most competent of those experts in the art of swearing—the fisherman of the Maine lakes—directed too against the person whose fair hand had packed the bag. He was not the philosopher that James was or the absence of so homely though necessary an article would not have ruffled his spirits. But let no one ever say again that Mark Twain could not be serious! [62].

Sam spent the night, a guest of Baldwin’s [NB 43 TS 16].

Fatout mistakenly cites a dinner speech at the Savage Club on this day [MT Speaking 667], but since Sam spent the night in Oxford, it is clear that Fatout confused this with the year-earlier dinner, on June 9, 1899. Significantly, the only other dinner in 1900 that Mark Twain is mentioned in Watson’s history of the Savage Club is July 7, 1900. However, there is the drawing by Phil May giving “June 1900” as a date, which seems to have been a “prophecy” actually drawn in 1899 (see in June 9, 1899 entry).

June 11 Monday – Sam’s notebook: “Andrew Lang, 1 Marloes Road, Kensington / Admiral Bridge 22 Wilton st Kensington / Plasmon 12? / Mailed letters to Wm. M. Clemens, P.O. Box 1716 New York & the Bowen-Merril Co., Indianapolis warning them not to issue those books” [NB 43 TS 15-16]. Note: see June 13 to H.H. Rogers on Will M. Clemens matter; the letter to Will’s publisher IS not extant.

Harper & Brothers deposited two copies of The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg and Other Stories and Essays with the Copyright Office on [Hirst, “A Note on the Text” Afterword materials p.23, Oxford ed. 1996].

Sam returned from Oxford to 30 Wellington Court in London, where he wrote to John Y. MacAlister. He thanked him for a box received and asked advice about what Livy should avoid eating and drinking for gout.

“She has been instructed in this matter by the best physicians of Paris, Florence, Berlin, etc., & disobeys them all. You tell me, now, & I will start a violent reform” [MTP].

Hugh Gilzean-Reid wrote from Dollis Hill, London to Sam.

I have written to the German cook I spoke to you about & have also written to another one who has been in our service & might be willing to come temporarily, she is a good cook housekeeper.

The carriage will be free tomorrow & at your service if you & your daughter still think of coming out to see Dollis again. …P.S. If the house you saw would suit we would be quite open to arrange easy terms with you” [MTP].

June 12 Tuesday – Sam’s notebook: “MacMillan, dinner—8.15 52 Cadogan Place. / Hon. Mem. for 1 month from date. Beefsteak Club, 9 Green st., Leicester W.C. Maj. Stuart Wortley” [NB 43 TS 16]. Note: Beefsteak Club, founded in 1876, was the descendant of several other clubs from the 1700s. It was an after-theatre club bohemian in nature with about 200 members, including Henry Irving, John Lawrence Toole, Henry Labouchere, and others. Major General Edward James Montagu-Stuart-Wortley (1857-1934); dismissed and disgraced in WWI.

At 30 Wellington Court in London, Sam wrote to Eleanor Bridge (Mrs. Cyprian Bridge), that he had “a great desire to see you & Sir Cyprian again.” Cyprian Arthur Bridge (1839-1924), British Royal Navy Officer, had been Commander-in-chief of the Australian Station during Sam’s world tour, and had hosted the family on the HMS Orlando on Sept. 18, 1895. See other Vol. II entries [MTP].

June 13 Wednesday – Sam’s notebook: “Clemens, 7.30. Address, June 5” [NB 43 TS 16].Note: James Ross Clemens; see June 5.

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