Vol 3 Section 0654
December 8 Sunday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to William Winter at the Staten Island Academey, N.Y., for the Arthur Winter Memorial Library. Sam declined to give a reading there, explaining it was his new rule to never do so outside the City, and only to do so in private homes, with no advertising, and for a good cause. If Winter wanted to transfer the reading to a home in N.Y.C., he would reconsider
[MTP]. Note: The library was established by William and Elizabeth Campbell Winter in memory of their son Arthur, “a child of rare genius, beauty, and charm, who was once a student at the Staten Island Academy” [Library Journal, Vol. 15. Oct. 1890 p.313].
The New York Times, p.24, ran “Kossuth Celebration by Hungarians,” noting the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian patriot, Lajos Kossuth, in America. The article quoted ex mayor Abram S. Hewitt (1822-1903) ex-president Grover Cleveland, Mark Twain, Governor Benjamin B. Odell, Jr., mayor-elect Seth Low, and Senator George Frisbie Hoar of Mass. Twain wrote:
You are not wrong in divining that I hold the great name of Lajos Kossuth in honor and reverence. It is a feeling common to Americans and one which will abide and not perish.
December 9 Monday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam responded to Theodore Weld Stanton’s Nov. 11 and Nov. 17 letters: “Many thanks for your two letters. / Good, we’ll wait till May, & then—well, I hope with all my heart we’ll find him!” [MTP]. Note: Stanton was in France looking for Sam’s “Lost Napoleon” mountain.
Joe Twichell wrote a letter of thanks to Livy for the “altogether delightful time” for their weekend visit.
“To me Mark’s eulogy of the Human Race was like the strain of an Aeolian harp; such was my affection for the speaker. Of course, I didn’t believe a word of it—any more than he did—but I was a charmed listener, and would like to hear it again” [MTP].
William Winter wrote from Staten Island, N.Y. to Sam. He’d rec’d Sam’s “more than kind letter and I thoroughly appreciate your reasons for not undertaking the task suggested by me. It is, of course, a sad disappointment—but I know what it is to be over-worked and hard-driven. I wish it were possible for you to come here, just to see the Memorial Library & sit by the fireside and let me make you welcome…” Winter PS’d a request for Sam’s signed photo he might hang in the Memorial [MTP].
December 10 Tuesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Harper & Brothers. The note is not extant but is referred to in Harper’s Dec. 12 response:
John D. Rockefeller, Jr. wrote he had rec’d Sam’s of Dec.8 and explained his prior invitation to read before the young men’s Bible class of the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church in New York at its meeting on Dec. 27 was simply older men talking informally to younger men and giving them the advice and experience of their age. In view of this he hoped Sam would reconsider [MTP]. Note: Sam spoke to the group on
Jan. 28, 1902.
December 11 Wednesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote two sentences to Daniel Carter Beard:
“Good—send Mr. Crosby along. I’ll see him any morning between 10.30 & 12, with pleasure” [MTP].
Note: Beard was associated with Ernest Howard Crosby (1856-1907), in the New York Anti-Imperialist League. Crosby was the president of the NY chapter. Ernest and John S. Crosby (probably brothers) were also active in the People’s Club and the Civic Council. Zwick writes of “a little-known episode of mutual inspiration” between Ernest Crosby, Dan Beard and Mark Twain:
On January 16, 1901, three days after Twain joined the Anti-Imperialist League of New York, Ernest Crosby gave a speech on “The Absurdities of Militarism” at a peace conference held at Tremont Temple
SLC used mourning border for most letters from Susy’s death on, then from Livy’s death on.