Vol 3 Section 0475
wrote on the back and forwarded Gillette’s letter to H.H. Rogers, who had handled the negotiations for the play, the next day, Nov. 16. The play was not produced in Sam’s lifetime [MTHHR 455-6n1]
In the evening Sam spoke at a reception in his honor by the Society of American Authors. The New York Times, Nov. 16 p. 7 reported:
AUTHORS HONOR MARK TWAIN.
At Reception Given to Him He Protests He Is Not a “Monument of All the Virtues.”
Samuel L. Clemens (Mark Twain) was the guest of the Society of American Authors at a reception given at Delmonico’s last night. A number of prominent literary people met Mr. Clemens, his wife, and daughter.
The guest of the evening was introduced to the members of the society by Rastus S. Ransom, and in replying to the address of welcome, Mr. Clemens said:
“It seems a most difficult thing for any man, no matter how well prepared, to say anything about me that is not complimentary. Sometimes I am almost persuaded that I am what the Chairman says I am.
“As a rule the Chairman begins by saying something to my discredit, and he feels that he is clear off the track and that he is really not telling the truth, an then he begins to compliment me. Nothing bites so deep down as the facts of a man’s life. The real life that you and I live is a life of interior sin.
“Every one believes I am just a monument of all the virtues. Some day there will be a Chairman who will be able to give the true side of my character. I thought I had met such a Chairman the other night at the Press Club, but when he said that he had never read any of my books I knew he was a liar.”
Following Mr. Clemens’s speech a number of letters of regret were read. Secretary of State John Hay, in expressing his regrets that he would be unable to be present, wrote: “Mr. Clemens has long done his country honor throughout the world and nothing we can do for him will settle the debt we owe him.”
Among those present were W. O. Stoddard, Elliot Danforth, Isaac K. Funk, Mrs. Theodore Sutro, the Rev. Thomas R. Slicer, Col. Richard Henry Savage, Edward W. Bok, John G. Carlisle, Kenyon Cox, Gen. Clous, Count de Lafayette, Gen. Stewart L. Woodford, the Rev. E. Walpole Warren, John Kendrick Bangs, and Edgar Saltus.
November 16 Friday – At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to Frank Bliss.
Frank Doubleday (whom you know well) of 111 East 16th street, got this furnished house for me, & I am immensely obliged to him. Therefore I want to present him with a set of the Ordinary Uniform edition of my books….
Mr. Rogers says you didn’t give him that London photo of me—I mean the large one made by Walter
Barnett. See if you can’t find it. He wants it, & I have no other [MTP]. Note: this note confirms at least part of Dias’ claim that Frank N. Doubleday was instrumental in finding 1410 W. 10th for the Clemenses. See Oct. 27 entry.
Sam also wrote to H.H. Rogers, forwarding William Gillette’s Nov. 15 about royalties (see entry), and the contract. Would he please look them over? Sam would sign them “Next Monday when I return from Princeton.” He noted a doubtful point in the contract: “it seems to put no time-limit upon Huck, but only on Sawyer” [MTHHR 455].
Sam also wrote to an unidentified man, declining an invitation:
It is not in my power to accept, my list being now as full for some months as I can venture to make it, & so I have not added anything to it during the past fortnight. I beg that you will convey my best thanks for this honor which this invitation does me, & also my regret that I am obliged to deny myself the pleasure of accepting it [historyforsale document 85103 accessed Sept. 13, 2009].
SLC used mourning border for most letters from Susy’s death on, then from Livy’s death on.