Vol 3 Section 0568

⁵¹²                                                                        1901

 

little more quietly and don’t make such a hell of a racket for I am busy in here and have things to attend to myself.” That is like my wife, who is nothing if not unliterary.

 

Sam suggested that they might visit on Thursday, May 9 and read that evening [MTP].

 

Sam also wrote to Dr. William Allen Pusey.

 

“It is true, as you say, that doctor is multiplying from year to year. I have six of him on my list already. I do not remember the one which you inclose. The real one was Dr. A. Reeves Jackson of Chicago, whose too early death I still lament” [MTP: Chicago Daily Tribune, 2 June 1901, p. 45]. Note: Dr. Pusey (d. 1937), a dermatologist, would serve as President of the American Medical Assoc. 1923-4.

 

April 16 Tuesday – Sam’s notebook: “Mr. Enos—evening Social Club All Clemenses” [NB 44 TS 8].

 

In N.Y.C., Sam wrote a “NOTICE!” to Frank Bliss, explaining he could allow “copying-privileges” only when Bliss wanted, regardless of what Sam said, since he was obliged to say yes as a rule “as a trade-courtesy” [MTP].

 

Sam also wrote to Emilie R. Rogers (Mrs. H.H. Rogers), agreeing to “come & feed & play,” though Livy could not, as she had “a freshet of country cousins due to break on her Wednesday evening” [MTP]. Note: it is assumed that Sam went to visit and dine with the Rogerses on the following day.

 

April 17 Wednesday – Sir Hiram Stevens Maxim (1840-1916) inventor born in Maine who lived in

 

London, wrote to Sam about his “Sitting in Darkness” article:

 

“I give you my candid opinion that what you have done is of very great value to the civilization of the world. There is no man living whose words carry greater weight than your own, as no one’s writings are so eagerly sought after by all classes” [MTB 1134]. Note: Maxim introduced carbon filimants for light bulbs, a fully automatic machine gun, a hair curling iron, a pneumatic gun, and developed a smokeless gunpowder, cordite.

 

         Rogers purchased the two-year-old steam yacht, Kanawha, “the fastest cruising steam yacht in American waters” [MTHHR 464n1].

 

In the evening Sam visited the Rogers’ home for dinner and billiards [Apr. 16 to E. Rogers]. Note: do you think there was discussion about the Kanawha? Perhaps plans for cruises were already being made.

 

April 18 Thursday – Sam inscribed the first volume of his autographed 24-volume set of Mark Twain’s Works by American Publishing Co. to William S. Hofstra (1861-1932), Dutch immigrant lumber magnate and founder of Hofstra University: “With compliments to / William S. Hofstra / S.L. Clemens / (Mark Twain) / April 18, 1901” [eBay #370393968899, June 10, 2010]. Note: this set was numer 97 of 512 published. He likely signed other sets on this day that have yet to surface.

 

April 19 Friday – The Clemens family left N.Y.C. and traveled to Saranac Lake, N.Y. [Apr. 21 to Alexander]. Note: Their purpose was to secure a cabin to return for summer for Livy’s health. See Apr. 21 to Alexander.

 

Sam’s notebook: “Heptagon – see below [for Apr.20] / Mr. Stokes 50 W. 39th / Mrs. Mott 17 East 47th”

 

[NB 44 TS 9]. Note: Mrs. Jordan Lawrence Mott, Jr.

 

Sam’s notebook: “Dr. Emmett. No—19th (above) Heptagon Dining Club, 7.30 at Metropolitan

 

Club. Informal— only 20. James W. Alexander 4 E. 64th” [NB 44 TS 9]. Note: see Apr. 21.

 

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