Vol 3 Section 0647

figures for Jan. 1901 and for Sept, Oct. and to Nov. 18, 1901 were given, with estimates for Nov. and Dec., making the total 1901 sales projected £27,000 with a profit of £16,000. “Considers prospects are enormous and estimates for 30 per cent dividend or over by March 1902” [MTP]. Note: Sam’s cable of Nov. 18 is not extant; the Syndicate’s cable may have been this day or just after Nov. 18.

November 19 Tuesday – Sam’s notebook: “Conscious humor. Intentional juxtaposi can be wit in unconscious but not in conscious—the word indicates an intellectual effort. Man put 2 expediting stamps on letter he wanted it to go in a great hurry. Irish? No (Bub) | Goldsmith says: For thy sake I admit that a Scot may have humor—I’d almost said wit. | Does the text mean 1. the ability to produce humorous effects—or the ability to perceive them after they have been produced. These are quite different things.

“Not every one is a Franklin who can produce lightning, but all the blind can see it after he has produced it. / That what she said” [NB 44 TS 18]. Note: this likely written after the Carnegie invitation below.

In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Mrs. Buckman, thanking her for a cat.

I am very glad to have him & I thank you sincerely. I do not recall him, but I remember Ramses II & Moses very well, for I knew them personally, when I was doing time on my fourth incarnation. Although I do not recall this one I must have known his brother, for the family resemblance is quite familiar to me [MTP: Swann Galleries catalog, 6 Feb. 1997, No. 1747].

Andrew Carnegie wrote a folksy invitation to Sam for the annual “Saint Andrews Society” dinner, “begging you to be one of us on dinner night and speak on what is supposed not to exist, ‘Scotch Humour’”. “You may sail down on the night of the 30th.” He limited speeches to 15 minutes “(except to the gods).” “My regards to that nice woman, your wife: may we see each other more frequently! My moral nature needs this. I feel it. / Ever your friend….” [MTP]. Note: see Sam’s NB entry this day.

November 20 Wednesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Miss Hart (not further identified): “I am very glad indeed to comply” [MTP].

Sam also wrote to C.E. Starr in Daytona, Fla.: “The Unabridged could not improve upon Mrs. Starr’s definition: ‘scrambled brains’ drives the centre” [MTP]. Note: Starr is not identified but a Mar. 21, 1899 letter from C.E. Starr, Daytona to the editor, NY Times criticized the Spanish Am. war effort; several notices in the 1903 Daytona Gazette announced Mr. & Mrs. Starr to be traveling in Europe. This was not the family doctor, M. Allen Starr.

November 21 Thursday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Andrew Carnegie about speaking at the Sons of Scotland banquet at Delmonico’s on Nov. 30.

I find I am to be there. Mrs. Clemens came in, a minute ago, and furnished the information. If I had had another 18 hours I could have made up my mind myself. At bottom I am afraid of religious banquets, but now that the matter is settled I am not feeling so worried as I was.

To me, the clatter & clash of two or three hundred men rattling dishes & talking is maddening; so you must let me feed at home & take my doze & my smoke and arrive at Delmonico’s at 9.20 or 30—my train pulls in at the Grand Central at 9.15.

“Scotch Humor.” That will do—let it stand. …

Put me in the speaker-list about No. 3—can’t you? Not earlier, and not more than one later. Won’t you send this page to Mr. Morrison, in lieu of a formal acceptance, etc. from me? I’m a

crowded and busy poor devil. / Ever your friend [MTP].

Sam also wrote to Frederick A. Duneka: “Ever so many thanks for the books. If I could get time I’d like to review the one on the raising of babies but doubtless I’ll never get the time. Mark” [MTP: Parke-Bernet Galleries catalogs, 19 Feb. 1945, Item 137].

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