Vol 3 Section 0433
…in no instance have I or would I copy a single line of your copyrighted work. But your public spoken utterances become public property once they are spoken and there is no law against writing truthful facts concerning a man’s life. The book is shelved for the moment much to my regret and loss—I can wait—I’ve waited now forty years for other things—and I can add you to the collection now in storage. It was not my doing in the first instance. I was asked to write a book and I wrote it. One thing remember—I possess more material concerning your life and work than any other man living, dead or still unborn—and the material is far too valuable to the world to throw away. I can then only wait for a change in the weather [MTHHR 447n2]. Note: Sam wrote on the env. “A Threat”
July 11 Wednesday –At Dollis Hill House in London, England Sam wrote to Brander Matthews.
My souls, I’m glad to see you!
But look here—I’m to come in to London & dine with my old friend J.Y.W. MacAlister (20 Hanover Square) & he is inviting Bronson Howard.
Can’t I come after dinner to the Savile Club, & fetch MacA. With me, & have a smoke? [MTP].
Note: the proposed dinner date is not clear. Bronson Howard (1842-1908), a popular American dramatist who had collaborated with Brander Matthews in 1899 in Peter Stuyvesant. Howard had homes in both American and London. See NB entry for July 13; Howard mentioned.
Sam’s notebook: “Joh. Baer, sen. in Wildstein bei Eger Bohemia / Strumpfwaaren Fabrik. / Stories of Animals. Let the cat talk to me. Took me a while to learn her language” [NB 43 TS 22].
July 12 Thursday – At Dollis Hill House in London, England Sam wrote to James R. Clemens.
Those were the best Indian cigars I have smoked outside of Calcutta. Won’t you please order 100 to be sent to me at above address, & the bill for the same.
We of the family send warm greetings to you & Mamma Caroline & Muriel. I suppose you are flown from London by this time, but I expect this to be forwarded… [MTP].
Sir William Crookes wrote to T. Douglas Murray and Sam. This letter is headed My dear Mr. Murray but the envelope is addressed to S.L. Clemens, Dollis Hill, NW: “I have heard that Protene and Plasmon are the same thing. One company to unite the two would be a good thing, but rivalry should not be encouraged. I shall be glad to hear what your friends have to say on the matter” [MTP].
July 13 Friday – Sam’s notebook: “House Commons tea with Provand, M.P., 4. / Dine at MacAlister’s. / After dinner, take Mac to Savile Club, 107 Piccadilly, W. & smoke with Brander Matthews & Bronson Howard & Austin Dobson” [NB 43 TS 22]. Note: See July 11 for Bronson Howard info. Henry Austin Dobson (1840-1921), English poet and essayist; two volumes cited by Gribben, p. 196
July 14 Saturday – Sam’s notebook: “In afternoon Mac & wife & Saml Bergheim will drive out to Dollis Hill” [NB 43 TS 22].
At Dollis Hill House in London, England Sam wrote to F.S. Higman, London, that he had “quitted the field” for lecturing, “permanently” [MTP].
July 15 Sunday – Sam’s notebook: “About this time make week-end at Cambridge with Livy” (Prof. A.C. Haddon,
F.R.S.) [NB 43 TS 22]. Note: Dr. Alfred Cort Haddon (1855-1940) an influential British anthropologist and ethnologist.
July 16 Monday – Sam’s notebook: “PLASMON 12 / Smythe, 16 Adams st Portmon Square” [NB 43 TS 22].
SLC used mourning border for most letters from Susy’s death on, then from Livy’s death on.