Vol 3 Section 0506

Possibly this year Sam also wrote and declined an invitation by form letter to A.W. Holmes of Salem, Mass. [MTP].

Andrew Chatto wrote to Sam; only the envelope survives; it was not posted, but Sam wrote on it:

“Chatto’s idea of the Uniform Edition for England” [MTP].

G.W. Griffith of Malden, Mass. Sent three quatrains to Sam headed by “They That Sit In Darkness / (No.

Am. Review)” [MTP].

J.T. Griswold sent an honorary membership in Phi Beta Kappa Society for Samuel Langhorne Clemens, and included a flyer on the history of the Society [MTP].

Signed only “Old Soldier,” this sent to Sam sometime in 1901:

Just see how you’ve gotten the cowardly thieves to squealing. For decency’s sake DON’T let up on ‘em. Keep everlastingly at it. Give ‘em another broadside next month. They will then try to buy you off—if they haven’t already tried. And it was a pitiful sight during the “Sitten Craze” to see so many grey-haired went bribed to recant their logical argument for bi-metalism…But don’t you be alarmed nor bullied by the more than sneak thieves [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the back of the letter: “Good. (Old Soldier)”.

Sam also received an anonymous note from this critic sometime in 1901: “I have heard said many times of late ‘Mark Twain is losing his power’; and you clearly evidence the fact when for material you turn the Holy Scripture into ridicule. / A Once / Great admirer” [MTP].

Annie R. Whitmore, a pupil in Durham High School, N.C. wrote asking for Sam’s autographed photo and where she might find a sketch of his life [MTP].

Budd writes that Sam’s article “As Regards Patriotism” first published in Europe and Elsewhere (1923) was “probably written in 1901” [Collected 2: 1006].

Sam also wrote “Corn-Pone Opinions,” sometime during 1901, and first published in Europe and Elsewhere (1923), edited by Paine. See Jan. 31 notebook entry.

Paine puts 1901 to Sam’s essay, “Skeleton Plan of a Proposed Casting Vote Party,” which offered a scheme “To compel the two Great Parties to nominate their best man always.” The piece was collected in Europe and Elsewhere (1923), edited by Paine, and also in The Complete Essays of Mark Twain (1963), edited by Neider.

After Dinner Speeches at the Lotos Club, John Elderkin, Chester Sanders Lord, and Horatio N. Fraser, eds: Tenney: “Contains the text of MT’s speech at the dinner in his honor, November 10, 1900 (pp. 374-79); without editorial comment, but with group photograph facing p. 374” [34].

Famous Authors (Men) by E.F. Harkins: Tenney: “pp. 43-57 / An admiring but superficial biography for the general reader” [34].

American Literature by Alphonso G. Newcomer. Tenney: “Praises MT as a storyteller, satirist, moralist, and for his portrayal of character. (A textbook)” [35].

A Literary History of America, by Barrett Wendell, NY, and T. Fisher Unwin, London. Tenney: “Comparatively little on MT, but only because the book emphasizes authors no longer living. Compares MT to Franklin and Irving, despite lesser grace, for his sober confusion of fact and nonsense (pp. 101, 173, 508), and says that his power ‘would

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