Vol 3 Section 0872
Frederick W. Peabody wrote to Sam. “I presume of course you have seen Mrs. Eddy’s ‘Reply to your “Criticisms,” a copy of which I inclose. … I defy you to produce any thing so funny as this ‘reply’” [MTP].
Sam’s notebook: continued listing literary figures he had known: Prentice Mulford (1834-1891), humorist; Robert Henry Newell (1836 -1901) pseud. “Orpheus C. Kerr” [Gribben 490, 501]. Others in the list: “Longfellow, Whittier, Whipple, Sarah Orne Jewett, Holmes, Lowell, Emerson, James T. Fields, C.H. Webb, Bret Harte” [NB 46 TS 7]. Note: listed down the page, not separated by commas.
January 18 Sunday – The New York Times, p.21, “Autographs at Auction” reported various letters sold and prices. Two of Mark Twain’s letters sold:
Two letters by Mark Twain sold, respectively, for $2.25 and $ 2.50. One was dated 1869 and in it he says: “I never will lecture outside of New England again, and I never will lecture in Brooklyn at all.” The other is in regard to a lecture in Buffalo: “I mortally hate that G.A.R. there. I once gave them a packed house, free of charge, and they never even had the common politeness to thank me” [Note: both letters were to James Redpath, on Dec. 6, 1869 and Sept. 15, 1871 respectively].
Sam’s notebook entry contains another list of names, but these are not literary persons Sam had known, as he’d listed on Jan 16 & 17: “John Hay, Noah Brooks, Riley, Commodore Smith, Cap. Ned Wakeman, Col. (What was his name)—shot Josh McNab—he told me the Vigilantes were after him / Slade” [NB 46 TS 7].
January 19 Monday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to David A. Munro, editor of the North American Review to remind him that if McCrackan’s article wasn’t included in the March issue, then Sam wanted to be in it himself [MTP].
Isabel V. Lyon. wrote for Sam to George Iles. Sam was too busy to answer himself, but he passed on thanks for an unspecified book which contained poetry which Thomas B. Reed had recited during his yachting last spring. Sam had to decline an unspecified invitation, citing again Livy’s health [MTP].
Sam also wrote to Lucretia T. Osborn.
The grace & charm & fragrance of the rose are the proper poetic remembrance of that pleasant evening in your beautiful home. Mrs. Clemens thanks you heartily by my hand, she not being quite able, as yet, to do it with her own . . . she hopes that we may have the pleasure of seeing you & Professor Osborn out here, & of renewing & refreshing & revivifying an acquaintanceship so pleasantly & so prosperously begun . . . [MTP: Swann Galleries, 16 Oct. 1975, Item 240].
Sam’s notebook: “Joe & Dennis / John P. Jones made them rich by Big Bonanza. / John Mackay / Tales of Mrs. Mackay” [NB 46 TS 7].
Robert Reid for Players Club wrote to Sam on a 4×6 card. “Dear St. Mark—a thousand pardons for this delay in answering your wonderful letter!—I’ve been waiting to see what could be done, & this is the first moment anything has happened” [MTP]. Note: relates to his being dropped for lack of dues. Reid enclosed his card, address 142 East 33rd street, and “Saturdays afternoon” as his receiving time, a common practice of the day.
January 20 Tuesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to General McCook about Jean and Katy Leary arriving in Old Point Comfort, Va. on Jan 24.
Greeting & salutation to the ladies, & to you, upon whom be peace!
SLC used mourning border for most letters from Susy’s death on, then from Livy’s death on.