Christian Science Published, Flying Trips to Bermuda – Katonah Visits – Clara Tours

Damned Human Race Club – Suppression of Noises – Lease Tuxedo Park House

Aldrich Dies – Redding Plans – Last Trip to Elmira – 1^st Angelfish – Jamestown

Saturday A.M. Club Reunion – Lost at Sea! – “Oxford Would Confer…”– Annapolis

Actors Fund Fair – Meets “Charlie”– Stevedores Shout – G.B. Shaw

 Hectic Schedules – Postpones Funeral – Ascot Cup Stolen! – Windsor Bash

Amuses King & Queen – Punch Honors – Doctor Clemens – Oxford Pageant

Luncheons, Teas, Dinners – Corelli, Offensive Sham – Liverpool – Homeward Bound

Dorothy Quick, MT Mgr. – Bronchitis – Dorothy letters & visits – HHR Stroke

Fulton Day, Jamestown – “Goddam Govment” – Knickerbocker Bank Run

Children’s Educational Theatre– American Plasmon Bankrupt – Howells Send Off

 

1907 – Sam wrote a sketch unpublished until 2009: “Telegraph Dog” [Who Is Mark Twain? xxvi, 183-98].

Sam also wrote “Little Nellie Tells a Story Out of Her Own Head” sometime during 1907. It was published in Fables of Man, Tuckey, ed. (1972). Tuckey offers that this piece is Twain’s recollection of a performance of P&P by children in Hartford, though Sam mistakenly recalled it as in Cleveland in Dec. 1884. Tuckey further fingers Nellie as possibly Helen Morton Cox, the young daughter of George Washington Cable’s sister [Fables of Man 45-9].

In N.Y.C. Sam inscribed a copy of Charles A. Young’s A Text-book of General Astronomy to Mr. Cole.

 

Friend Cole: I feel sure that if you will carefully peruse this “work” you will admit “most cheerfully etc.,” that I am correct in my statement regarding the subject of Geometry as a whole [MTP]. Note: Sam added a PS that if Cole was still in doubt he should read HF again and then call upon him if “still in the dark.” Written on the 30^th day of some month in 1907.

Probably during 1907 Sam wrote daughter Jean  :

Jean dear, do you remember this picture with the accidental child in it? This is made in Germany, and is good work. I am so glad, so very glad, to hear that you are cheerful and happy, and are going to fight it out on Dr. [Frederick] Peterson’s lines and help him in every way you can to push your improvement along to a cure. Lovingly / Father [Heritage Auction Lot 35131 ended Oct. 15, 2009]. Note: the “accidental girl in the pillow” ran in the Dec. 8, 1906 Harper’s Weekly. See entry for the picture.

 

In Tuxedo Park, N.Y. Sam inscribed   a portrait lithograph of an unidentified man to Charles Dana Gibson, the illustrator, after a weekend visit to his home: “To Mr. Gibson / Truly Yours / Mark Twain” Also inscribed by Horace Porter, diplomat, one time chief of staff for General Grant: “In memory of a pleasant visit to Tuxedo Park…” [MTP].

Sam also wrote to Harper & Brothers requesting his Christian Science book be sent to the following:

Dr. Quintard, 145 W. 58^th

H.H. Rogers, 3 E. 78^th st.

H.H. Rogers, jr., 26 E. 57^th

Miss Jean Clemens, Katonah, N.Y.

10 or 12 to S.L. Clemens, 21-5^th ave.

Wm. R. Coe, 6 East 78^th st.

Mrs. Benjamin,

Miss K.I. Harrison, 26 Broadway

R.W. Ashcroft, 11 Broadway

Mrs. Robert Collier, 20 Grammercy [sic Gramercy] Park

Miss Paddy Madden, 3 W 104^th st [MTP].

Sam also wrote his aphorism about saving tomorrows for work to William E. Schultz [MTP: Missouri Historical Review Apr. 1933: 279]. Note: William Eben Schultz (b. 1887), Canton, Mo. Native, English teacher and musical composer, who taught for a time at Yale University, and wrote several books in the 1920s and 30s, including Cantonia: a historical pageant in commemoration of the one-hundredth anniversary of the founding of the town of Canton, Missouri (1930). See also Missouri Historical Review (Apr. 1933): 278-279 for Shultz’s article, “How I Got Mark Twain’s Autograph.”

Sam also inscribed a copy of CS to Augusta Emma Stetson (1842-1928): “This book is dedicated to a noble human success & proved she is another General for God—Augusta E. Stetson. Sincerely Yours. Mark Twain. 1907” [MTP]. Note: Stetson  (nee Simmons) rec’d the degree of Doctor of Christian Science (C.S.D.) in 1884 from the Mass. Metaphysical College. In the early 1900s she raised over one million dollars to build a structure for the First Church on W. 96^th Street. It was dedicated free from any debt, a feat Twain would likely have admired. In 1909 she was excommunicated by the Boston church.  

 

Sam also wrote to Vitagraph Co. of America. “Gentlemen: I authorize the Vitagraph Company of America to make a moving picture from my ‘Curious Dream.’ I have their picture of John Barter, examining his gravestone, and find it frightfully and deliciously humorous” [MTP: Lewis Jacobs, The Rise of the American Film, etc. 1968, p.76]. Note: Vitagraph made one reel silent films at this time, and increasingly needed to borrow and adapt stories from literature. 

Sam also wrote his aphorism about saving tomorrows for work in The $30,000 Bequest to Katy Leary [MTP].

Sam also wrote his aphorism about taking the pledge improving liquor in HF to Ashton Stevens (1872-1951) American drama critic, whose column ran in the S.F. Examiner and later in the Chicago Herald-American [MTP].  

 

Paine writes of a letter (not extant) from Steve Gillis sometime during this winter:

Once that winter, when a letter came from Steve Gillis saying that he was an invalid now, and would have plenty of time to read Sam’s books if he owned them, Clemens ordered an expensive set from his publishers, and did what meant to him even more than the cost in money—he autographed each of those twenty-five volumes. Then he sent them, charges paid, to that far Californian retreat [MTB 1373]. Note: see also the June 7 inscription to Gillis on an unspecified book.

Letters of Dr. John Brown, With Letters from Ruskin, Thackeray, and Others (1907). Tenney: “On pp. 351, 353-354, 357-358, and 360-361 are letters to the Browns from MT and Olivia Clemens, mostly on predictable topics as they express the wish that the Browns could visit them in America and MT expresses sorrow on Brown’s death (1 Jun 1882), and praises his book RAB AND HIS FRIENDS (11 Feb 1890),” etc. [Tenney: “A Reference Guide First Annual Supplement,” American Literary Realism, Autumn 1977 p. 334].

 

Underhill & Underhill published a little book entitled How to Tell a Story, a republishing of Sam’s 1895 story [eBay 4000797684 Oct. 24, 2009].

Stephen M. Griswold’s Sixty Years with Plymouth Church (1907) included a chapter, “Quaker City Excursion,” p. 153-66. Tenney: “Describes the tour on which IA was based; briefly mentions MT. Quotes at length the account of the visit to the Czar at Yalta in Mrs. Griswold’s A Woman’s Pilgrimmage to the Holy Land (1871)” [44].

Brander Matthews’ Inquiries and Opinions (1907) included a section, “Mark Twain,” p.137-66. Tenney: “A biographical and critical account by one of MT’s early advocates in the academic world. This was written as the introduction to a complete edition of MT’s works, and appears in Innocents Abroad in the Author’s National Edition [44].

Aaron Watson’s The Savage Club (London 1907) included “Artemus Ward and Mark Twain,” and “Mark Twain’s Own Account,” p. 119-35 [Tenney 45].

Capital Stories about Famous Americans: A Budget of Tales of Love, Heroism and Adventure, Rev. Louis Albert Banks, ed., contained “How Mark Twain Plagiarized Holmes,” p. 207. Tenney: “…from a birthday-dinner speech quotes MT’s account of accidentally borrowing the dedication for IA. ‘Mark Twain: His Good Deed to General Grant’ (486-91) retells ‘Hamilton’ (sic) Garland’s account ‘in the Success magazine  some years ago’ of MT’s becoming publisher of Grant’s Memoirs and paying royalties that assured the financial security of Grant’s family. Picture of MT, 478” [MTJ Bibliographic Issue Number Four 42:1 (Spring 2004), p.9].

 

Mrs. C.E. Aaron sent Sam a British picture postcard of the Cunard Line’s S.S. Mauretainia. “Dear Mr. Clemens/ this is to let you know that Mr. Aaron & myself have crossed again this year unexpectedly. Ship is beautiful … [the last sentence has flaked off, but up the left side: “Dorothy, Grandma”] [MTP]. The year and day (“5”) are clearly visible on the postmark, but the month is not.

 

Gilbert Holland Montague sent Sam a 3”x5” Union League Club note card announcing his engagement to Amy Angell Collier of New York. “She is a niece of President Angell of University of Michigan & an old friend of Mr. A.B. Paine. She is a cousin of Chester Aldrich, whom I believe your daughters know. I beg to be remembered to all your family & household” [MTP].

 

Gladys B. Kyd wrote from Edinburgh, New Brunswick to ask for Twain’s autograph. She also sent her book for him to sign, plus a money order to cover return shipment [MTP].

Written on Isabel Lyon’s journal title page for 1907 (which is called a “Date Book”): “The King says of billiards that ‘It exercises all your body & half of your soul’” [MTP].

January – James Logan (1852-1929) mayor of Worcester, Mass (1908-1911) wrote to Sam, sending him a translation of Omar Kayyam by Eben Francis Thompson [MTP] Inscriptions: the portrait of E. F. Thompson is signed “Faithfully yours” by Thompson. Volume is inscribed: “To ‘Mark Twain’/Please accept this book as a partial payment on account for the many happy hours and hearty laughs which you have given me. With kind regards/faithfully yours/James Logan./Worcester, Mass.,/Jany. 1907.” Volume also signed: “SL. Clemens/1907.” Note: See Feb. 2 to Logan for more on this book; also Gribben 517. Logan was born in Glasgow, Scotland and is said to have influenced Andrew Carnegie in donating libraries.

Robert Reid wrote from NYC to Sam. “Dear St Mark. / ‘It is terrible death to be talked to death’—and you had a close call the other day!—Please forgive me.—Our friend lends me word that he is going to ‘advance  some[?] more’ so the work can go on—if not merrily…” [MTP].

January 1 Tuesday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to daughter Jean, about how he rang in the New Year:  

Jean dear, we had grand times last night: “Sham,” played by Clara—burlesquing grand opera—assisted by [Witter] Bynner & George Gilder & Miss Burbank—most delightfully played. “Pain” played by me as a baby, with Miss Burbank for the mother & Miss Lyon as nurse. “Champagne” played by Bynner & me as the Siamese Twins” ( I getting drunk on wine drunk by him.)

At 11.55 there was a prepared surprise: lovely music—played on a silent piano of 300 keys at the corner of Broadway a mile & a half away, & sent over the telephone wire to our parlor—the first time this marvelous invention ever uttered its voice in a private house. Two weeks from now it will go by wire 1,000 miles to Chicago & furnish the music for the Electrical Convention, & within a year or two the artist will play on those dumb keys & deliver his music into 20,000 homes—& cheap as water; only 20 cents an hour, & shut it off when you please, like the gas.

The company left at 1, & Mr. Paine & I played billiards till 3 o’clock. I am tired.

Mr. Twichell will arrive this afternoon, & he & Miss Lyon & I will sail for Bermuda tomorrow morning, to be gone a week. D^r. Quintard has engaged us to find us a furnished house in your neighborhood for next summer. Last night I wore for the first time the little gold studs which you gave me for Xmas, & found them to be just exactly what I wanted. I thank you for them, dear.

Happy New Year, & a heap of hugs & kisses.

 

 [enclosure, written on a card with a picture of a woman wearing a hat:]

A happy New Year to you, dear dear Jean, & many of the like to follow!

By your letters, & by all reports, I know that you are happy, & may you continue so! From your loving / Father [MTP: Sotheby’s NY catalogs, Dec. 12, 1991, Item 25]. Note: See NYT article Dec. 31, 1906

Sam also wrote to H.H. Rogers after he stopped by, and gave an accounting of his income and expenses totals for 1906: He’d made $40,000 from his books and lived on $32,000; he had $40,000 in the bank to invest upon return from Bermuda with Joe Twichell [MTHHR 622-3]. Note: see source for a page of details on Sam’s finances and investments.

Isabel Lyon’s journal:

 

We wished each other good morning.

All this day was a grand hustle getting ready to sail away to Bermuda tomorrow—only a week we shall be gone—but we’ll be beyond communication, so there are heaps to do.

The King has been in a sweet & lazy mood. He played billiards until 3 o’clock; after the guests had gone he tackled AB  [Paine], who had come in from seeing Pamela Smith to her next party, & they played until after C.C. and I were in bed.

Mr. Rogers came in and Mr. Clemens is getting ready for another investment. AB went home to stay there while we were away. Mother has been here all day helping me—valeting me—who never have a minute to repair my staggering-to-death garments.

The King needs the trip away—& I need it. Mr. Twichell arrived today, & he needs it too, for he was tired out with his Xmas clerical duties [MTP].

Mrs. S.B. Elder wrote from New Orleans to express her “appreciation and enthusiasm although late” for “Joan of Arc” in the Harper’s of Dec. 1904 [MTP].

George Iles wrote from Park Avenue Hotel, NYC to Sam. “I have had a rare treat this afternoon in reading WHAT IS MAN? … The book with both logic and humor clears up the fog that has long confused Egotism and Altruism, the pleasure of eating strawberries and he greater, or less, joy of seeing said berries eaten by some hungrier man.”[MTP].

S.A. Keen wrote on YMCA, Columbus, Ohio letterhead to invite Sam to offer a letter of advice to young men there “who are without local home ties” [MTP].

January 1 ca. – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote a Happy New Year message on a picture card (a woman with a dog) to Miss Margery H. Clinton [MTP: James Lowe Autographs, 1977]. Note: Margery was a friend and neighbor of Mary Rogers in Tuxedo Park, N.Y.

Sam also wrote a Happy New Year message on a picture card (a woman wearing a hat) to to Miss Herrick [MTP: James Lowe Autographs catalogs No. 30, 1985, Item 32].

Sam also wrote on a printed card to William Dean Howells: “ ‘Appy New Year to Mr. ‘Owells & his’n. /Mark. / 1907.” [MTHL 2: 822].

 

Sam also wrote to Barbara Mullen (written on a card with a picture of a woman holding a bird): “A happy New Year to Miss Mullen! / SL. Clemens / 1907.” [MTP].

 

Sam also wrote instructions to Miss Lyon to answer S.A. Keen’s Jan 1 request: “Can’t do it. Furnish reasons” [MTP].

Henry Meade Bland’s article, “Mark Twain” ran in the Overland Monthly for Jan., p.22-7. Tenney: “Praises MT’s tenderness and his ‘sternly philosophical side,’ notes his friendship with Charles Warren Stoddard; a popular account providing no new information or unusual critical perception. Illustration (p.22): ‘Mark Twain, drawn by Alice Resor from latest copyrighted portrait by Rockwood, N.Y.’”

January 2 Wednesday – Sam, Joe Twichell, and Isabel Lyon sailed on the S.S. Bermudian for Bermuda for a “flying trip,” a three-day stay. The voyage now took two days; 30 years before it had taken three [D. Hoffman 69; MTHHR 577]. Note: The steamer Bermudian, a twin-screw vessel, was first launched in Jan. 1905 and continued in service until WWI. Sam would take this same ship to Bermuda in Jan. 1908. See insert S.S. Bermudian.

 

Isabel Lyon’s journal: We sail. Bermudian

We are on our way now to Bermuda. The sea is so still & so restful that I have relaxed too entirely. Robert left at 8:30 with the trunks. I left a bit later in a cab to look after things—shifting of tickets, etc., for if there was not a full ship load we were to have a cabin each, & we have it—to my satisfaction—for as I look around I cannot see a soul that it would be possible to room with except a nice English boy. The gulls followed us until late, late in the day. It is beautiful voyaging. Just before the King arrived, a sorry young steer got loose & scared us all as he plunged  up & down the wharf. They closed the big doors & the King had to wait outside in his carriage until the creature was captured. We have all been sleeping a good deal. The decks are beautiful, & we have plenty of room everywhere.

This morning before sailing the King received a letter from T.B. Aldrich who lost his glasses which were finally found in the King’s dress coat. For a month the King hasn’t been satisfied with that coat because the sleeves are so long, & the tailor took the coat away to shorten it. This morning’s letter from T.B. is to say that he had carried away the King’s coat—& the King has been wearing T.B.’s—& having it altered, etc. Oh joy, how the King shouted [MTP]. Note: Aldrich’s letter not extant, but see Dec. 1 from Sam/Paine.

Witter Bynner wrote to Sam. “Dear Mark Twain! / Here’s thanks for letting me in on that ligament and for a good time generally. / I hear you’ve brought ‘em to the point of publishing the Christian Science book. Bully for you! You might dedicate it to the subject,—not to Mother Eddy but to Auntie-Christ! / Ever your /Other Twin” [MTP].

 

George H. Guy wrote on New York Electrical Society letterhead to Sam, pasting a clipping on his letter: “Can you spare a moment to pass your eye over the enclosed clipping? Is this a remarkable coincidence, or an indication of some subtle pervasiveness in unsuspected directions of human example?” [MTP]. The clipping told of cats “Tom and Jennie” becoming tipsy after eating mice tipsy from eating fruit cake seasoned with brandy.

 

Anatole Le Braz (was LeGray) wrote on Hotel Brevoort notepaper in French:

Hotel Brevoort                                     Anciennement Brevoort House Coin de la 5me Avenue et de la 8me Rue    cable address, lafbrevort                               New York, le 2 Janvier 1907   Cher Monsieur,   Je suis confus de ne vous avoir pas encore remercié de l’envoi de votre livre que j’ai été bien heureux de trouver chez Miss Mosher. Mais voici le premier moment de loisir don’t je dispose, depuis trois jours. J’aurais voulu, en même temps que ce mot vous offrir un de mes volumes; malheureusement, Brentano, quand je me suis présenté chez lui, n’en avait plus un seul exemplaire. Je viens d’écrire à mon éditeur en France pour lui demander de vous expédier le Pays des Pardons. J’espère qu’il vous parviendra sans trop de delai.      Veuillez, en attendant, trouver ici l’ex- pression de ma meilleure gratitude, comme aussi de la vive satisfaction que j’ai eue de   [next page]   connaître un écrivain qui n’honore pas seulement la littérature américaine, mais qui est encore une incarnation de l’Esprit dans le monde entier. J’espère qu’il me sera donné de voir revoir, lors de mon retour à New-York, dans le courant de mars, avant mon départ pour la France et je vous prie d’agréer la vive gratitude, ainsi que la profonde ad- miration de votre      A. Le Braz

Hotel Brevoort Formerly Brevoort House Corner of 5th Ave and 8th St cable address, lafbrevort                         New York, 2 January 1907   Dear Sir,   I am embarrassed that I have not thanked you for having sent your book that I was so happy to find at Miss Mosher’s. But this is the first free moment I have had in three days. I would have like to offer you, together with this note, one of my own books; unfortunately, Brentano, when I went there, did not have a single copy left. I have written to my publisher in France to ask him to send you Pays des Pardons. I hope that it will reach you without too much delay.     In the meantime, please accept the expression of my my highest gratitude and a strong pleasure I have had   [next page]   in getting to know a writer who does not only appreciate American literature but who is also an incarnation of Wit in the entire world. I hope that I will get a chance to see you again when I return to New York during May before my return to France, and I ask you to accept my deep gratitude as well as my deep admiration       A. Le Braz

 

[MTP: Translation and notes by Holger Kersten, 2012]

 

[1] Anatole le Braz (aka Anatole-Jean-François-Marie Lebras; 1859-1926) was a folklorist, novelist, and poet. He spent the winter of 1906/07 in the United States lecturing at the universities of Harvard, Yale, Columbia and in various other parts of the country [“French Diplomat Here,” New York Tribune, April 02, 1907, 5]. He later returned to the U.S. in 1910/11, 1911/12 and 1914-1919 [G. Dottin “Nécrologie: Anatole Le Braz.” Annales de Bretagne 37:3, 458-472, 460].

 

[2] Brentano: Brentano’s Bookstore on New York City’s Fifth Avenue, the largest bookstore in the city and the third largest in the country, with 250,000 books for sale in its 31,000 sq. ft. The bookstore chain had some 20 branches from Chicago to San Francisco. One of the oldest and most respected booksellers, Brentano’s owed its success to its vast assortment of books, the elegance of its premises, the dedication of each successive family member to the business, its erudite, hand-picked staff, and its remarkably cordial service. [“Brentano,” The Jewish Virtual Library. <http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/

ejud_0002_0004_0_03504.html>] Brentano’s had a specialization in French literature.

[3] Au Pays des Pardons: book by Anatole Le Braz in which he recounts legends and popular beliefs of his native province, Brittany. First published in 1894, 2^nd ed. 1898. 3^rd expanded ed. 1901.

 

Claire Oddie wrote to Sam. “You wrote my cousin Mr Conner a letter – consequently I feel that I may reach you in the same manner. / Sometime before Xmas, Bretanos sent you a copy of “Eves Diary” with a note from me—asking you to make it famous! But silence still prevails. / If you have been able to decipher this—let me know & thank you in advance. “—In the name of ——? “Cousin Joe” !!/ sincerely” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “It was put aside away / things to be attended / it had known she had any association with Uncle Joe—would have got up at midnight & interrupted his prayers to attend to it right away. Never interrupt prayers for any one but Uncle Joe”

 

James A. Renwick wrote to Sam acknowledging his check of $291.67 for January rent [MTP].

 

January 3 Thursday – Isabel Lyon’s journal:

 

It has been such a sweet, long, drowsing day, with a beautiful smooth sea; the King has slept, & so has Mr. Twichell …(there goes the dinner trumpet.) the picking up of loose ragged ends; getting ready for Hobby who will look after the mail while I’m away; & getting ready for & over the party. Of course I have relaxed.

The King brought along 2 batches of Auto Ms. to correct & this morning he sat on deck & smoked for a long time. He didn’t like his chair over in the long line, so when I found him sitting on a bench aft of everybody, & where he could watch the sea, he bade me sit down & we talked for a long time about the way the auto. Should be used to perpetuate the copyright of the books, & he was glad when I told him that C.C. appreciated his plan. I didn’t tell him though that I was sorry he had let newspaper men get hold of the scheme. Some how I think it would have been nice to keep it quiet; though of course it originated with Sir Walter Scott. People are not disturbing the King. The one woman who tried to, I told [her] that the King wished to be let alone, must be let alone, because he had come away exhausted. Mr. Twichell tries him beyond words—so that the King almost loses patience [MTP]. Note: Twichell had grown deaf and Sam had to yell at him to be understood.

 

E.B. Overshiner for the Adjustarest Co. wrote to advertise their adjustable bed to Sam [MTP]. On or after this date Sam replied: “Should like to have it & if it comforts me I shall speak of it to friends but not to you or to the public” [MTP].

J.H. Brookes wrote for Abner Martin (age 88) from East Liverpool, Ohio to Sam.

…Mr. Abner Martin, formerly mate on the steamboat Pennsylvania, which blew up below Memphis in 1858…Mr. Martin (who sits at my elbow) tells me that in your book…[LM]…you mention the fact that you saw him carried into the death room on three separate occasions. …Some time ago Mr. Martin received a letter from a colored man named Jerry Brown. This man is the son of Brown, the porter on the Pennsylvania, who Mr. Martin assures me you will remember. At the time of the explosion he was a boy seventeen years old and was on the Pennsylvania, and Mr. Martin believes that Brown and himself are the only survivors now living. / Mr. Martin has from time to time recited to me a number of anecdotes concerning “Mark Twain” which I have been unable to find in my careful reading of your works, but nevertheless have no doubt but that they actually occurred. / He remembers with much pleasure his last meeting with you at the Monongahela House, in Pittsburg, when you were considerate enough to have him come up to your room and spend an hour or more in enjoying a good smoke and in talking over old times [MTP].

 

Will Caeleton wrote from Brooklyn to invite Sam to an Author’s Matinee benefit for The Mary Fisher Home. Caeleton mentions going with Sam to Albany that time to lobby for osteopathy [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on back: “Decline by telegraph.”

 

Mrs. Margaret Christensen wrote from Brooklyn to Sam. She had put a clipping from the NY Journal, “Mark Twain’s Loving Tribute to His Wife” on her bureau and saw it daily, seeking to “possess such a character” as Livy’s. She caught a glimpse of him on Broadway one day and wished she could hear him speak. “Surely at heart you are still a boy.” [MTP]. Note: Sam answered on Jan. 18.

Emily McLean for the National Society of the D.A.R. wrote a 4”x5” card to Sam. “If you but knew my dear ‘Mr. Mark Twain!’, the ardent admiration for yourself, which pulses in my mind & heart, which fills the soul of my young daughter & — in a more general sense—the souls of fifty thousand ‘Daughters’ (over whom I preside), you would come & be welcomed by us!” [MTP]. Note: In other words, they liked him.

January 4 Friday – The S.S. Bermudian reached Hamilton Harbor, Bermuda at 6 a.m. and docked about 9:30 a.m. The Clemens party registered at the Princess Hotel, next to the water just west of town. D. Hoffman writes:

 

It was the largest wood building on the islands, and its structure had been advertised as “a sure guarantee against the dampness usually found in houses.” The dining hall opened through glass doors to a long and deep veranda overlooking the harbor. Another amenity, the billiard room on the ground floor, also came close to Clemens’s heart. He had been spending an immoderate amount of time at billiards. As he grew lonelier, the games got longer. They sometimes lasted for as much as ten hours, Miss Lyon wrote [71].

 

The three took a long carriage ride to Harrington Sound; Miss Lyon detailed, below:

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Bermuda, Princess Hotel. Such happiness.

Distant land was sighted at 6 o’clock and when the breakfast bugle sounded we were abreast of Ireland Island & the water began to take on its wonderful colors. We docked about 9:30, I think. The King is not feeling very well because he ate too heartily of baked beans & bacon & cabbage & milk yesterday at luncheon, so he has had indigestion ever since. I had forgotten how beautiful Bermuda & its waters are. The white houses grew here a thousand years ago—somehow you do not feel the hand of man in their construction, because there isn’t anything inappropriate about them. This afternoon we drove over to Harrington Sound, a 2 hours drive, & enchanting. I sat with the King, & Mr. Twichell on the front seat asked the darkey driver hundreds of questions. There are many flowers blooming, hibiscus, lantana, roses & strange flowers of various kinds. We went into the Devil’s Cave where the King was interested in the big groupers & beautiful angel fish, & butterfly fish & parrot fish. An old Englishman described the wonders of the place to us & how the groupers change color after they’ve eaten. But most of all, I was in heaven as I sat beside the King & drove along those beautiful roads—the great cut near Govt. House, all lined with beautiful trees. The King wears grey clothes now & they are very becoming. Later Mr. Twichell & I took a walk along quiet roads which led to nowhere but a hill top & I remember now that I made the same walk 18 years ago with little Juliet Claghorn, who now is dead [MTP].

T. Fisher Unwin wrote from London to send Sam “the last edition of my general catalogue” of books. He solicited Sam’s visit when in London [MTP].

 

January 5 Saturday – Bermuda: the Clemens party of Sam, Joe Twichell and Isabel Lyon chartered a boat, the Nautilus, and spend two and a half hours sailing in and out of the bays and inlets. Lyon details:

Isabel Lyon’s journal: It has been a wonderful day, for this morning the King decided to go a-sailing. He sent me down to charter a boat & I found a cedar boat called The Nautilus with a young black man at her helm. We started at 10 o’clock, sailed for 2½ hours through the bays & inlets of this most wonderful water, enraptured by the beauty & the peace & the softness of the atmosphere. The King smoked & smoked & talked about Marconi & Tesla & Joe Jefferson & of how 40 years ago out in Nevada when he had prospected for gold & didn’t get it after all their hard work, it was because they had turned in the wrong direction—for years later gold enough was found close to their place—gold enough to throw away. It was a pity to come home, but we had to. After luncheon the King had an interviewer come in from the Bermuda Colonist & I went down to the town with Mr. Twichell. When I came back I found Mr. Clemens on the porch & we jumped into the same cab. We drove to the Bermuda Yacht Club where Mr. Clemens left his card. I went shopping for souvenirs for C.C. & Jean & then the King & I had a charming drive up past the Government House road & so on home. He is so gentle & gay when Mr. Twichell doesn’t make him too nervous. The roads are so hard & white & clean, the houses are so neat & nestling & now we’re sorry it isn’t going to be possible to spend the summer down here.

The King fell over his ship trunk in the dark as we were going down to dinner & skinned his shin. I had some surgeons’ plaster with me & later I fixed it up for him [MTP TS 4-5]. Note: the interview with the Bermuda Colonist is not in Scharnhorst’s Complete Interviews.

 

Fred Hughes wrote from London, England to Sam. “Having met with frequent allusions to the authorship of ‘Mark Twain’ in translations of your works into French, by my late cousin William Little Hughes of Paris, I am interested to know whether you were personally acquainted with him, or possess any little momentoes” [MTP]. Note: On or after this date Sam replied on Hughes’ letter: “Had no acquaintance with him[.] the business has always been attended to by my London publisher”

January 6 Sunday – Bermuda, the last day. The group spent the day riding through Paget and Warwick, then to Hamilton Parish and to Joyce’s Dock Caves, which were “brilliantly lit with acetylene gas, showing stalactites of enormous size.” Later in the day Sam and Joe tried to find places they’d been back in 1877, when they stayed in a boardinghouse run by Emily Kirkham. They asked about and found the woman, now 48. This search became a subject for his Autobiography, and evidently Sam dictated segments to Miss Lyon during the trip and the voyage home [D. Hoffman 72].

 

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Paget—Warwick—Joyce’s Cave—out all day. Kirkham.

Mr. Clemens pointed it out to a passenger who has spent much time in Bermuda in its varying seasons. The passenger said, “Oh, you couldn’t stay in Bermuda in the summer, your shoes would mould over night.”That didn’t disturb the King; he replied, “That’s all right, I’d wipe them off & put them in the sun every morning” [MTP TS 6].

Daughters of the American Revolution sent Sam an engraved invitation to the Anniversary of General Washington’s Wedding Day, a dinner at 6 p.m. on Jan. 6 [MTP]. Note: Sam drew vertical wavy lines down the 6×6” invitation and wrote in a box at the top, “Too late” after first writing “maybe” then scratching it out.

 

Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP.  

 

January 7 Monday – The Clemens party left Bermuda, again on the Bermudian. D. Hoffman writes:

As the ship sailed from the pier, the flag was dipped three times, and the King “lifted his head high and saluted with grave beauty,” Miss Lyon wrote. She said the little person at his side was Paddy, a pretty girl from the Upper West Side who had been on the same voyage to the Islands. “We spent most of the day on deck—even into the night….The King and Mr. Twichell walked up and down, but it wasn’t comforting companionship for the King as Mr. T. is so deaf and can only hear when he is shouted at.” Paddy Madden evidently amused Clemens, and gave him relief from the reverend.

At  sea, he also took refuge in continuing to dictate his autobiography [75-6].

 

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Off for home. Today we sailed away from Bermuda. The Consul had the flag dipped 3 times in the King’s honor as we left the pier & the King standing with Paddy lifted his head high & saluted with grave beauty. We were forever getting away, & Mr. Twichell thought the big boat was stuck in the mud but we were waiting for the mail, the mail supposed to be ready at 9 o’clock and we were waiting for it at 11:20. Such a cosy & gemütlich place. No hurry anywhere, no trains, no motor cars; just lazy bliss. It’s delightful to sail that tortuous channel out to the open sea; it’s so narrow & so exacting that merchant ships once venturing in & getting out successfully won’t try it again. The King has been offered an island with a house on it by Mr. [W.W.] Denslow, a friend of Dr. Herring. The Dr. pointed it out to us as we sailed quite near it on our way out.

I got the King’s things ready for rough weather, but there wasn’t any; the sea was like the Mediterranean, & there was a beautiful sunset, a copper strange sunset, which made the sea like molten metals. We spent most of the day on deck—even into the night. The King & Mr. Twichell walked up & down, but it wasn’t comforting companionship for the King as Mr. T. is so deaf & can only hear when shouted at [MTP TS 6-7]. Note: W.W. Denslow; Dr. W. Conyers Herring

Winifred Holt, secretary for the NY Association for the Blind sent Sam an invitation to an event with Helen Keller and Mr. & Mrs. John Albert Macy, on Jan 14 at 7:30 pm. [MTP]. Note: On or after this date Sam wrote on the invitation, “can’t go.” On the back of the letter Isabel Lyon wrote:

 

Miss Holt’s unconscious attitude would be What the Hell do I care about his health so that I carry out my plan.

Tel Mrs. Hutton

      The Holts have made it so that He’s soured on the cause

 

write Miss Holt that Mr. Clemens cannot break thro the rule—nearly wrecked his health a year ago.

 

appoint a time in the daytime when he can go up to her shanty & see Helen Keller. / Can this be entirely private. / Miss Holt is so persuasive. The cause is so good & Mr. Clemens must not come under that temptation—[MTP].

 

J.J. Halsey for New York Press Art Bureau, NYC wrote to Sam, seeking again a photograph they might use for newspapers and magazines. Could he call for five or ten minutes at The Marceau Studio, 258 Fifth Ave in the next few days? [MTP]. Note: A note on the letter suggests he sent photographs.

 

Edward F. Harkins wrote from Boston to Sam, seeking to confirm what he’d read in several New York newspapers, that Clemens was the first person to have a residence telephone. Harkins professed to be a “student of telephone history” and asked for details, as he’d been under the impression that “a man named Williams in Somerville, Mass.” was the first sometime in Apr. 1877 [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “Cannot at all be sure of dates…it was very early in 77 that the tel was put in & were told at the time that it was the first time a telephone had been installed for practical business purposes & not as a curiosity or a toy”

 

W.H. Jones wrote from NY to Sam, recalling being present for Sam’s “Babies” speech at the Palmer House in Chicago for General Grant, and recalled the guests there insisting that Sam stand on a table to deliver his address. Jones wished for Sam to go with him and his wife any Wed. evening at 7:15 “to the beautiful million dollar Christian Scientist Church 96^th St & Central Park West and note the wonderful service. Will you go?” [MTP].

January 8 Tuesday – Sam was at sea en route from Bermuda to New York on the Bermudian.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “The King is so amusing, so paralyzing. [written diagonally:] See notebook” [MTP TS 7]. Note: Lyon continued, likely at a later time, to strike out words, phrases and even whole segments, seemingly toward publication, which never, until now, has taken place.

F.R. Hulbert wrote from Port Sudan on the Red Sea to ask Sam’s permission to republish the poem with 66 names of Australia and New Zealand [MTP]. Note: On the back is a directive to Harpers for permission.

 

January 9 Wednesday – In the morning Sam, Joe Twichell and Isabel Lyon arrived back in New York [D. Hoffman 77]. Twain told the press, “Please don’t say I have been away for my health. I have plenty of health. Indeed, I’ll give some of it away to anybody who needs health” [New York Times, Jan. 10, 1907].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “We anchored at Pier 47 this morning, but were a long time doing it because we had to avoid a sunken ferryboat. The week has been one of unbroken peace” [MTP TS 7].

Annie A. Abrams wrote on Hotel Belmont, NY notepaper to Sam. She had just purchased four sets of his books for her children. Her late father, F.E. Andrews, was on the Quaker City. Could he reply with a line about him? [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “He was a pilgrim in the Quaker City excursion. Remember him very well.”; listed on the passenger list, Dr. Edward Andrews [MTL 2: 385].

Moncure D. Conway wrote to Sam, proposing they meet for lunch at the Layfayette restaurant, corner of 9^th Street and University Place. He wanted to bring his children, Eustace and Philip, to meet Twain. It would be the last time the two men met; Conway died in alone in his Paris apartment on Nov. 15, 1907; his body was returned to the US where a funeral was held on Dec. 14 [MTP: Welland 227; IVL Jan. 12].

Emarinne Harly Moore wrote from California, Mo. to ask Sam for his picture. Her father was Capt. Sam Harly; her husband was often compared to Twain [MTP].

Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP.  

January 10 Thursday – Isabel Lyon’s journal:

We had such a busy morning, the King & I, for there are always so many things to be talked over & telephoned about. Just now it is Helen Keller who is coming to town next week, & Miss Winifred Holt had bombarded the King with invitations to meet her & to again become involved in the Blind Association as a year ago. But Miss Holt overdid it all a year ago & now the King swears hard at the mention of her name. Now we are telephoning Mrs. Lawrence [sic Laurence] Hutton to make a quiet engagement to meet Helen Keller here, perhaps, & probably with Mr. & Mrs. Mason.

This afternoon we went out to Katonah to see Jean who was in a torrent of impossible moods & distressed her father until he was ready to weep. All the way out in the train he had talked & he bought a world almanac & read railroad accidents in the U.S. for the past nine years. He had been dictating on that subject this morning & had made a note on his note book for me to get him that almanac, when the same day one walked into his hand. The train was so hot, so fearfully hot that the King tore off his overcoat saying, “We’ve arrived in Hell ahead of time” [MTP TS 8]. Note: Sam and Isabel Lyon’s quick trip to Katonah to visit daughter Jean was followed by Sam’s letter to Jean. the next day (Jan. 11) and also on Jan. 14.

Hill writes of this visit and of Jean’s “increasingly temperamental” nature:

She wanted her horse, Scott, which was promptly shipped to her, and then her father bought her a carriage to use. She recorded a romantic interest in one of her physicians at her sanitarium, a Dr. Hibbard, in her diary:

I don’t in the least hope to win him, fond as I am growing of him, but  I can’t help wishing that if he is engaged I didn’t have to be thrown with him so incessantly as I am….That desperate hunger for love does not leave me and doesn’t seem to intend [to]. Doubtless for that very reason no one will ever care for me and I shall have to drag my useless, empty life out by itself. Oh! is there no hope whatsoever for me? What can I do! I feel as tho’ I must find some means to prove attractive to a person that I can also learn to love [167]. Note: see Hill for more on Jean’s condition during this period. See also Jan. 17 to Jean, which reveals the carriage wasn’t purchased until after Jan. 17.

John J. Flinn for the Chicago Press Club sent a telegram to Sam. “CHICAGO PRESS CLUB BANQUET FRIDAY EVENING JANUARY 11 CELEBRATION OF 27 TH ANNIVERSARY WOULD BE GLAD TO HAVE WORD OF CHEER FROM YOU KINDLY ANSWER FREE” [MTP]. Note: On this day or the next Sam answered Flinn’s telegram: “What the Hell can we say / Eat, drink, & be merry for tomorrow you may be out of your job. / Mark Twain” [MTP].

 

Andrew Carnegie wrote a 3×5 invitation card to dine and meet the Rev. Robert Collyer, on Fri. Jan. 10 at 7:30 [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on side: “The dinner I let go. / Clemens forget”

 

James C. Fernald wrote from Wash. D.C. to ask Sam, “…in which of your works you have illustrated the reverse of Whitefield’s progressive mastery of Franklin’s benevolent impulses, when the orator’s plea drew from the calm philosopher all his money, contrary to his fixed intention” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “infernald nuisance”

R.H. Kitchner wrote from Boston to ask Sam where he might find “The Golden Arm” in Sam’s works [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “How to tell a story. / Vol 22 / Hillcrest”

 

January 11 Friday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y., after dictating and playing billiards, Sam wrote to daughter Jean in Katonah.  

Dear Jean, I do hope you are feeling happier, by this time, it wrung my heart to see you so disappointed, & I could not help thinking all the time how grieved your mother would have been to see you long for a thing—anything—& have to be denied it.

[in a paragraph, Sam encouraged her to see the best in people; that she’d be happier that way]

….

We shall do all permissible things we can that can give you comfort & pleasure. Although you will not be able to drive with George in snowy times, you can make up for this by skeeing & coasting, no doubt.

Clara sang in the church in Elmira, last night, to a silent house—by the program, applause was not allowed. It was an amazingly funny idea—it could have originated in no place on the planet but Elmira, I reckon. But no matter, Clara sang at her very best, Katy says. Katy is enthusiastic about it.

Miss Lyon was sick yesterday, with a headache, but is better to-day.

I hope you will make my compliments to the doctors, & to all whom I had the pleasure of meeting there.

Be pleasant with Anna—do your very best to be pleasant with her, & don’t let a prejudice against her grow up in your heart. You would hardly find a better person to take her place. It is not an easy place, dear heart, & you should consider that.

I have been trying to think of some way to dispose of your bird. Would you try the cat? I think the cat would like that kind of a bird.

I did my day’s work to-day, & played billiards 8 hours, besides.

Be as cheerful & contented as you can, dear heart, for your mother’s sake & mine. I love you, dear, & I send you many hugs & kisses. / Father [MTP]. Note: Anna Sterritt, Jean’s maid.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Mrs. Hutton seems so dictatorial. My experience with her has been only over the telephone & when I asked Mr. Clemens what kind of a woman she was, he replied, “She’s a gentleman, & wears feminine attire as an affection” [MTP TS 8].  

Professor William Lyon Phelps of Yale lectured in Bridgeport and called Mark Twain “easily the greatest American novelist in the history of this country’s literature” [NY Times, Jan. 12 p.8].

January 12 Saturday – The New York Times, p. BR21 ran a short notice of Sam’s new book:

Mark Twain’s Latest.

Mark Twain’s newest book is entitled “Christian Science,” and the Harpers announce it for publication early in February. It is especially stated that the book is not primarily a luminous work. Quite the contrary, and it is admitted that Mr. Clemens is not an advocate of Mrs. Eddy’s system. In fact, he opposes Christian Science with characteristic vigor and sincerity, taking in his opposition a line of his own, which is interesting whether the reader is or is not inclined to agree with the views expressed. The serious body of the work is, of course, lightened with a good deal of that quaint humor which is Mr. Clemens’s favorite weapon and the chief delight of his readers.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: This morning Jervis Langdon was here—he’s very charming—& Mr. Clemens called me in to hear him say that the house is to be built for $25,000, out of the auto-biography money, & then he said that he was going to make an investment for the children—not for himself. After Mr. Langdon left, Mr. Clemens told me that it was to be a $5,000.00 in an organ association.

Today it rains & the King has gone to Lafayette Restaurant to lunch with Moncure D. Conway & his children. He has been depressed since we went out to see Jean, & wanted the solemnest music before he left. Tonight at dinner he told when they were going round the world & would arrive at Australian or other ports, he would go off with the mayor & Mrs. Clemens would go to the hotel. On one occasion Mrs. Clemens was induced to go with Mr. Clemens & the mayor because there would be another lady there. Mrs. Professor Gibson. They found Mrs. Gibson to be a heavy coarsely dressed woman & finally discovered that she had a panorama of the Innocents Abroad & to help out the show would throw in a song & dance & sell patent medicine concocted by her husband. She was so sorry they couldn’t stay to see her show [MTP TS 6]. Note: Moncure D. Conway wrote on Jan. 9 asking for the luncheon and for Sam to meet his children, Eustace and Philip. It would be their last meeting. See entry.

Neltje de Graff Doubleday (Mrs. Frank N. Doubleday) wrote on board the SS Cedric to thank Sam for his inscription her husband has secured for her, which made her “squeal for joy” [MTP]. Note: she referred to the volume as “The Old Man’s Philosophy” when she’d read the galleys last summer; likely “What is Man?”

 

A.L. Hodgdon wrote from Pearson Post Office, Maryland to Sam. Her father, Capt. James Hodge Hodgdon, was commander of the Quaker City before the Civil War—was that the same ship Sam excursioned on? [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Yes.”

January 13 Sunday – Mark Twain’s Plea for setting apart the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln ran on p.8 of the New York Times, “A Lincoln Memorial.”

Sam wrote to Jean Clemens on Jan. 14 of his dinner company for this evening:

We ran late, last night [Jan. 13]—billiards & dinner. Present, Daniel Frohman, Margaret Illington, Mr. & Mrs. Wayland, Mr. Wark, Clara, Miss Lyon & I. Next Sunday this service will be repeated at the Wayland home; at our house the Sunday after. Next winter the alternating will continue. No other engagements can be made for Sunday evenings by these people [MTP]. Note: see Jan. 14 for the rest. Charles E. Wark, 29, native of Ontario, Canada, and Clara’s new piano accompaniest. He also accompanied her in a few other indoor pursuits, which, by the help of Isabel Lyon, nearly became a scandal. See Shelden on the Wark-Clara Clemens relationship.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Yesterday Mary Newcomb with to C.C. to Luckstone to have her voice tested. It had been quite beautiful once & she was ready for the operatic stage—really ready, for she had a conductor & roles, and then the voice broke down. For 2 years she has been living with her dead voice—but Luckstone says it isn’t deat at all.

The King does get so mad at the Hobby (she did stupid things with his ms.) & here on this day full of “pretty weather” which he wants to go out in to call on the Coes, but first must read Friday’s dictation which Hobby should have sent yesterday & didn’t. He says, “God will knock her gully est someday.”

Oh, the billards! Today the King played for ten hours. There come shouts from the billiard room, for he loves it so, & now that AB is beginning to swear the King says he has become so much better company—in fact he is unsurpassable. I go in & sit—“perch”—on the arm of the red sofa to watch the game & the King smokes every minute. He makes such a pretty bridge of his hand, which is so beautiful & in his white silk coats which he had made at Vantine’s, he is as wonderful as an ivory soul. He’s too beautiful for a human man, & yet you never get away for an instant from the fact that he is a man & a very very strong one. Today I told him how the perfume of his pipe makes me long to follow Dr. H’s advice to smoke one too, & how AB said he’d get me a little one, & when I asked the King if his secretary might smoke it, he said, “The secretary can do any thing she wants to, provided its proper, he gave me my first little meerschaum” [MTP TS 9-10].

John Howard Moore wrote from Chicago to Sam. “I am asking the publishers to send you a copy of my book, ‘The Universal Kinship’. I do not know that the book will appeal to you at all, but I thought that it might.” He praised Sam’s pen and his wit [MTP]. Note: Universal Kinship; see Feb. 2. See also Gribben 482.

Doane Robinson wrote from Pierre, S.D. to Sam. “I wonder if you have grown beyond the point where such notes as the enclosed, contribute to warm the ‘cockles of your heart?’” [MTP]. Note: no enclosure extant; Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Answered Jan. 17, 18” No answer extant.

Lyman Beecher Stowe wrote from NYC to Sam. “My dear Mr. Clemens / I am very anxious to secure an editiorial position on some one of the magazines in town. You, of course, know many editors and makers of editors, and if you would give me a line of introduction to one or two of them I should very greatly appreciate your kindness.” Stowe had met him once at cousin Alice Day’s and once at Sam’s New Year’s party “and very likely several times…[as] a small boy” [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote a short letter of intro for Stowe and lists Burlingame, Page, Hapgood, McClure, Gilder, Colonel (Harvey) Davis, and Dunne.

 

January 14 Monday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Isabel Lyon wrote a letter of introduction from Sam for Finley Peter Dunne to Lyman Beecher Stowe [MTP].

Sam also wrote a letter to daughter Jean. After relating the dinner company for the previous night (see Jan. 13 entry) he wrote:  

Miss Lyon has gone to Redding with John Howells.

That lady did find me in the train, after my pleasant visit to you, but not until we were within 30 minutes of New York.

The stenographer has arrived (10.30 a.m.), & I must go to work.

Goodbye, dear heart—with lots of love & kisses— / Father [MTP]. Note: Sam visited Jean in Katonah shortly after returning from Bermuda.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: I think the King grows lovelier every day of his life. This morning he was so interested in a sermon, no, a lecture by Dr. Crapsey appearing in today’s “Sun.” A letter courageously setting forth Dr. C.’s opinions of the God depicted in the Bible, & it’s a great & wretched pity that I cannot remember to write down every word that falls from the King’s lips. He said that Dr. Crapsey has expressed well, what he expresses brutally. (He doesn’t ever do anything brutally—but he does express himself with strength.) All the afternoon he played billiards until Mr. Larkin came to make a change in Mr. Clemens’s will—i.e. giving C.C. full authority over all literary remains.    The King talks so much about his death in these days. About seven o’clock he called for the organist—I am that—& I played to him Beethoven’s 5th Symphony and Schuberts Unfinished Symphony until dinner time. Then after dinner when I had played the Lohengrin Wedding March 3 times while he lay curled up in a corner of the couch with his black cape wrapped about him, we talked a little about music, then he talked about what he wants done with the parts of Susy’s biography of him as it appears in his Autobiography. When he is gone he would like to have it published in book form, Susy’s biography of him & his comment upon it, for that will stand as a memorial of her. The King was never able to write a memorial of her. It was never anything but a Lament & couldn’t ever be anything but that. But this is different—it is her word of him, which reveals herself, & he comment of her which reveals the King [in] him [MTP TS 10-11; also Gribben 505]. Note: NY Sun, a paper Clemens usually read. Algernon Sidney Crapsey (1847–1927) was an Episcopal priest, who was found guilty of heresy in 1906 and stripped of his office. Like Twain, Crapsey did not believe in the divinity of Christ.

 

Thomas Fitch wrote from Law Offices of Thomas Fitch, Tucson, Ariz. to Sam. In part from a wonderful letter that appears to be a reply:

      You did not know that while negotiations were pending for your duel with Laird, that gentleman cane to me, and said that he was weary of journalism and its acerbities, and wanted to return to the bloodless east.  He offered to sell me one third interest in the Union at the low figure of $6000 and sell it entirely on credit, taking his pay from one half of the salary of $50 per week that the other partners would allow me for editing the paper, and I to pay interest on the purchase money  out of the other half, at the rate of 2% per month. As a condition of the purchase I was to buy his duel, and take his place on the field of honor.

      Financially the proposition did not appeal to me. The Union was just about paying expenses and salaries. [He then showed he would receive nothing the first year and increasing amounts each year to the sixth year and beyond.]

      As for the accompanying proposition to buy the duel, I rejected it with scorn. The mines of the Comstock would not have tempted me to shorten your young and beautiful life, to say nothing of the chance of shortening my own. I was then still limping from the effects of my collision with Joe Goodman. As a duelist I had had pie enough. I had given up Journalism for law, and the Cacoethes Scribena no longer titillated the hemispheres of my brain, and so your life was saved to the world, which for that act of thoughtful mercy owes me many delights.

      Joe Goodman and I afterwards became warm friends, Is he there? I last saw him 20 years and mor ago, he was then raisin-ranching at Fresno. Later I heard of him deciphering hieroglyphics, and searching for prehistoric bugs in Central America. Daggett, Myers, Wright, Mrs. Cory, and Mrs. Fitch, who formed with you and me the occupants of the club on the third story of that brick building, forty four years ago are gone. I shall soon be 69, and while I am not weary of life and am hale and sound in body and mind, I would yet stretch out welcoming arms to the messenger who would summon me to my waiting palace among the stars. There I shall see you again old boy, even if to do so I have to put on asbestos garments, and come down stairswith a fan in one hand and an iced julep in the other [MTP].

Francis Wayland Glen wrote from Brooklyn, NY to thank Sam for his “timely warning to the citizens of this Republic in the January number of the North American Review.” Glen wanted to meet him. “We are entering upon a revolution throughout the world in finance, commerce, industry, politics, religion and the arts and sciences, and when peace is finally restored there will not be a throne left in Europe which has not been cast into Irish, Atlantic, Baltic or Meditteraen [sic] Sea [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “The thrones come back again. There’s only the human race left—& its such a dam fool”

William Rutherford Mead wrote to invite Sam to the Sixth Annual Dinner of the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m., the guest of honor Sir Ashton Webb [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Ansd”; Webb (1849-1930), English architect, was the first recipient of the American Institute of Architects Gold Medal in 1907.

Joe Twichell wrote to Sam with thanks and praise for the Bermuda trip and also for Miss Lyon, whom he called, “A daisy—a bouquet of daisies—a bushel of ‘em, is she!” He noted a former college acquaintance begged him to “dissuade” Twain from writing against Christian Science [MTP].

January 15 Tuesday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam began a letter to Edith Draper in Lancashire, England that he enclosed a photo he signed on Jan. 17: “I will comply with pleasure, dear Mrs Edith. My secretary will choose a photo which will go handily in the mail & I will autograph it. / Indeed I shouldn’t regret it if I were an Englishman—& particularly a Lancashire man / Sincerely…” [MTP]. Note: Lyon remarked about this note on a sheet inserted into her journal: “Here is a proof of the sweet & courteous answer Mr. Clemens writes personally to one who calls herself ‘only an English cottager.’ He is beyond words, gentle & darling to the simple ones of the earth who write from their hearts; whose letters are ‘literature’—because they come from the heart. He always appreciates them, & says so with his pen & to the writer.”  

Isabel Lyon’s journal: This morning the King went down stairs with his white necktie on wrong side out, & he wouldn’t let me change it, because he preferred it that way. He preferred the shining cheap satin surface & is going to instruct Robert the Butler to arrange them that way. Again he was upset at the Hobby “because she did not arrive on time”, so he fumed himself into a splendid mood & was so full of dictating that he burned away from 11:30 until 2:30.

Tomorrow evening Helen Keller is to dine here, & some people are coming in afterward.

Today Mr. Paine brought me a little meerschaum pipe—from the King. The King has been having a touch of gout on his left foot—so I’ve been painting it with iodine. When he walked down the stairs he limped & I remarked that he seemed lame, when he said yes, he was a little lame, he couldn’t step on the fo’castle of his foot. Bless him!  

Of the selections from Twain’s A.D.’s, DeVoto selected about half of the materials not chosen before by Paine to be included in Mark Twain in Eruption (1940); among DeVoto’s choices, was “Purchasing Civic Virtue,” dictated this day, which compared America to Rome. Sam railed against Roosevelt’s Executive Order 78, which gave veterans, disabled or not, between 62 and 70, a pension; Sam saw this as a naked grab for votes.  

January 16 Wednesday – Sam hosted a small party for Helen Keller; George Iles, and Mrs. James Sutherland were also present, Sam autographing his portrait for the latter [MTHHR 577; Jan. 17 from Iles; IVL TS 13 below].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: With the first Jan. number of the N.A. Review, the magazine was cut down from 128 to 112 pages & so Col. Harvey feels that he must cut out some of the Autobiography. The Auto must pay for the Redding house & the King was planning to put just that money $30,000.00 into the buildings. Oh dear—Then it the additional cost will have to come out of the Utah Consolidated. But the King is cosy in his bed, after 1½ hours with Tschaikovsky that evolutionist, who came in promising to stay 30 minutes. The time dragged on & I could hear the King’s voice growing tired & hoarse; I made 2 or 3 excuses to get into the room, & finally wrote him a little note, “You remember you have an appointment in 15 minutes,” & he pretended, “Yes, I’ll do it (fill that imaginary appointment) I’ll get right up—” & so off ran Tschaikovsky, so the King is cosy & smoking in his bed.

Helen Keller came tonight. At half past seven she arrived with Mrs. Macy & when the King, who had been pacing up & down the room, went to the library door to meet her as she came in with short hesitating steps, she threw her arms around him & buried her head in his neck & felt of his hair, when Mrs. Macy told her that he was still wearing his halo, the King cried & I cried, too wept [MTP: IVL TS 13]. Note: Mrs. John Albert Macy (Anne Sullivan Macy).

Miss Louise Gardner wrote from Tarrytown, NY to thank Clemens for signing a picture. She also thanked Miss Lyon for writing and explaining the delay [MTP]. Note: this appears to be a young girl’s hand.  

Mrs. Rachel A. King wrote to Sam from Croft-an-Righ, Edinburgh, Scotland, remembering her brother, David Redding who was living on the Sandwich Islands when Twain was there, and now dead for 40 years. “Knowing his great friendship for you in the long ago, I always feel greatly interested as to your movements.” She shared her and her husband’s love of RI [MTP].

Logan Grant McPherson (1863-1925), author, lecturer on transportation, wrote on Players Club notepaper to Sam.

 

That first night of Cymbeline when we stole from the Winter’s box to the front row of the balcony, I was pining not only to tell you how I had read Tom Sawyer but to make a suggestion I was sure you would accept. That was that you collaborate with me in a book I was then writing, to the extent of putting in some joke of which it is sadly in need.

The fear however that the audience who saw us pacing up and down the aisles and through the lobbies thought we were a Before Using and After Using advertisement for some hair tonic so flustered me that I went ahead and completed the book myself.

To show you the extent of the calamity you might have averted I send you a copy of the book as it is—and also to show you that in that colloquy between you and me, you were not the only literary man peresnt. / Yours in the remembrance of what to me was a memorable evening….PS Pray do not think that I expect you to read the book [MTP]. Note: not in Gribben.

Miss Paddy Madden wrote to Sam, “surprised and delighted” to receive his picture [MTP].

January 17 Thursday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam replied to daughter Jean, whose incoming is not extant:  

Why yes, dear Jean, your character—as I saw—had indeed softened, but the other day, it seemed to have hardened (temporarily only, I think) toward Anna & the others, on account of what _[you_] regarded as unjust conduct toward you. But I did not seem to blame & reproach you, did I? I could not mean that; in my heart I have no reproaches for you, but only mournings for your unearned estate.

What I would like, for your best sake, would be for you to force your mind away from your self & concentrate it upon a trying but valuable task: the task of making some difficult subject happy—Anna, for instance. The very best part of the Christian Science philosophy is that very thing: driving one’s mind away from its own concerns and riveting it upon something else—& closely watching it & keeping it there. You can do this—we all can—and it brings healing to the spirit & is inestimably valuable.

I do hope you are happy, dear—out of my heart I hope it. I welcome this snow-storm, because its flakes are falling about you & you are already outside & getting joy out of them.

We are not forgetting nor neglecting the horse-&-carriage matter—& shan’t. We are telegraphing George to come down here & consult; also we are on the track of a carriage.

With boundless love, dear heart, / Father [MTP]. Note: Anna  Sterritt, Jean’s maid.

Sam also inscribed his photo to Edith Draper and enclosed it in his Jan. 15 note: “To / Mrs. Edith Draper / with the best wishes of / Mark Twain / New York / Jan. 17/07” [MTP].  

 

Isabel Lyon’s journal: I didn’t expect to find her [Helen Keller] as she is. I believed she would be blasé & spoiled a little because of her great fame; but she isn’t spoiled a bit. The signs of her great afflictions are always present, because she is so dependent on others. She waits with a sweet, almost breathless attention, while Mrs. Macy spells with inconceivable rapidity the sentence or remark that has just been uttered, & when it is finished her face ripples with delight & she gives a sweet little shiver of pleasure, & in her expression you can see that she has understood perfectly. Helen & Mrs. Macy are the guest of Mrs. Lawrence [sic Laurence] Hutton & while we were waiting for Mr. Macy who is staying in some other place, to appear, it was suggested that I play something on the orchestrelle to see if Helen could detect the musical vibrations. I took the Erlkönig & at the first deep trembling of the bass, she turned instantly to Mrs. Macy & said “Music”. She was fully conscious of its shadings, for she said that it reminded her of the rising and falling of winds or waves. She wore a white gown trimmed with a great deal of soft lace, & a string, a long double string of coral beads. Her face, particularly the left side of it, is very noble, as Mrs. Percy Grant pointed out to me later. But I had been struck with the nobility & the womanliness & the great play of intellect & affection & emotion & seriousness that make it what it is. The King says of her that “she is a mine” [MTP: IVL TS 13-14].

Claire Oddie wrote from 124 W. 11^th St. NYC to Sam. “My faith in you remains unshaken, though it ‘niggled’ just a bit! / I am glad to know that your prayers ascend at midnight—mine will go then, sothattehy always creep in, under the mantle of yours [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “They’ll set the dog on ‘em in a minute—St. Peter will—“

 

Sam also inscribed in Eve’s Diary to Claire Oddie. “Jan. 17. 1907. /  Dear Miss Oddie: / I was born lazy & procrastinacious, but if I had known you were kin to Uncle Joe I would have gotten up at midnight & interrupted my prayers to attend to this matter. You didn’t tell me you were kin to anybody, & so I didn’t suppose you were. Forgive! / Sincerely Yours / Mark Twain” [MTP].

 

George Iles wrote on Park Ave. Hotel notepaper to Sam.

You gave me one of the great treats of my life as you entertained Miss Keller and the rest of us last night. How her face beamed at your stories, expecially as you told about the miraculous kerosene!

You were so kind as to say that you would sign a portrait for Mrs. James Sutherland who will, I trust, send a check to Mrs. Treasurer Barnes in aid of the Association for the Blind [MTP].

Frank Nicholls Kennin wrote from Toronto, Canada to Sam.

 

“In a collection of poems, ‘Beyond the Hills of Dream’ by the Canadian poet William Wilfred Campbell, at page 66 (Houghton, Mifflin, The River Site … 1899) is a poem, ‘Love’, I think it is called, —I haven’t the book at hand and write from a careless memorandum—which consists of the two verses which you found in one of Miss Susy’s own books, with the quotation marks inadvertently omitted” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter:: “Thank him very sincerely; I shall at once make the correction in the book— / Send & get the book”; at the top, “Used Jan. 22”. Editorial emphasis.

Joseph Robinson wrote to Sam on Franklin College, Dept. of English, Franklin Indiana notepaper to ask for an autograph they might frame for the walls of the English Dept. [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Mr. Clemens wrote: Consider well the proportions of things; it is better to be a young June-bug than an old Bird-of-Paradise.”

Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP.  

January 17-20 Sunday – In N.Y.C. Isabel V. Lyon wrote instructions from Sam to write to an unidentified man: “Write Mauritius man & say it isn’t Mr. Clemens’ story but it couldn’t be any better if it bore his trademark” [MTP].

January 18 Friday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam replied to the Jan. 3 of Margaret Christensen.

“Dear Madam: /I thank you gratefully for your welcome letter, which has deeply touched me. Nothing could be more gratifying to me than to know that my dear lost wife’s beautiful character has spoken to you from the grave & that you have treasured the message” [MTP]. Note: From Brooklyn.

 

Isabel Lyon’s journal: The King dined with Mr. & Mrs. Broughton tonight & he enjoyed it for he had a good talk with Peter Dunne who is loud in his praises of Roosevelt, & he is younger than he is loud in his praises. The King read him a philosophical lesson or two about the President’s impulses, but the air is still vibrating with the Dooley bomb of praise.

A.B. is going to Redding tomorrow & Mrs. Dunne asked the King to look after Mr. Dooley [Dunne] a bit—to use him—to billiardist him & when I told AB he felt that that Dooley editor oughtn’t to be playing billiards in the afternoons, even if they don’t want to.

Mother AB and I went to Fonfarone’s tonight & were amused by the crowd & the tenor who flatted, & the oldish pianist who touched the piano keys lovingly, & with all the humor of a virtuoso & then later AB & I practiced billiards & I have learned a little of the game. I made some shots [MTP: IVL TS 14-15].

Julia Langdon Barber wrote from “Belmont” in Wash. D.C. to ask Sam if he would sign the Hillcrest Edition volumes she was “about to order,” and to include her name in the inscription. She asked that especially IA be inscribed as she was one of his “favored listeners to the reading of the manuscript, upon the return voyage of the Quaker City via Bermuda” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Tell her there may be some delay about it for he has to do a great deal of autographing & is obliged to put it aside until he can devote a ½ day to that sort of thing. Then he’ll write his nom de plume in it with pleasure—not a Dam sight of pleasure but just pleasure.”

Mr. & Mrs. Urban H. Broughton sent Sam a formal invitation to dine on Friday January 18 at 8 pm [MTP].

Edmund D. Morel of the Congo Reform Assoc., London sent Sam “the second edition of ‘Red Rubber’ which you may be interested to see. I hope the first edition reached you safely.” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Yes—& has been in constant use as a window prop—”; also “Tell him that Dihdwo Twe that darkey has got a saner head on him than any missionary that ever went to that country or any other.”

Frederic Whyte wrote from London to Sam. “Accept my best thanks for your kindness in complying so promptly with my request for a contribution to the Daily Graphic. I have much pleasure in sending you a copy of the issue in which it appeared” [MTP]. Note: see Sam’s protest (Jan. 29) of Whyte’s use of what was thought to be a private communication.

January 19 Saturday – The Hope-Jones Organ Co. was incorporated in Elmira, New York, with capital stock of $250,000 in 750 shares of 7% cumulative preferred shares and 1500 shares of common stock, all in $100 shares. The three directors: John Brand, J. Sloat Fassett, and Robert Hope-Jones. Jervis Langdon II was president and treasurer, and Hope-Jones vice-president. Jervis’ Uncle Sam Clemens subscribed to $5,000 worth, payable over time on “calls,” as did Edward E. Loomis, vice-president of the Lackawanna Railroad (and husband of Sam’s niece, Julia Langdon Loomis); and Theodore Vail, president of AT&T, and numerous other investors. The factory was in Elmira, a 30,000 square foot building on the corner of Madison and Fifth; an office was also opened in N.Y.C. For Sam this was an investment he made for Clara and Jean [Ensor, MT & Hope-Jones 5-6]. Note: see Mar. 12 from Jervis, also Apr. 3 entry.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: A flutter—no, a serious upheaving of the King’s anxieties over the fact that the N.A. Review is cutting & cutting down the instalments of the Autobiography. He feels that the Harpers must be near collapsing again or they would not cut out 16 pages of reading matter of a magazine that is only 5 months old.

Mother & I went to hear Gabrilowitsch play this afternoon. It was a performance to charm one. It charmed me, all but the Arensky number—but I think I didn’t understand it, & I was exhausted by then, for the Chopin Sonata was wonderfully played and didn’t leave much of me. Gabrilowitsch came in this evening to see C.C. & we had a pleasant chat. He quite agreed with the King that the driving around the “Spoon” to reach the front door of the Hartford house was an impossibility, until C.C. proved that it wasn’t an impossibility, by walking with Gab. around the scrap basket which was the “Spoon” to the Barberini chair which was the house.

The Republican party is on a stump & the Democrat dogs are barking all around it & having such a good time. Foraker speech, Tellman speech, Blockburn endorsement of the President’s position [MTP: IVL TS 15-16].

 

Mrs. A. Wilkinson Besley wrote from Chattanooga, Tenn. to Sam, enclosing her poem she felt was “suggested by reading ‘King Leopold’s Soliloquy” [MTP].

Rule Letcher wrote from Bremerton, Wash. to Sam. Being a fellow Missourian, Letcher asked “how the natives of that state came to be called, Pukes?” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Should be glad to furnish the information but do not possess it.”

Anna L. Pederson for the N.Y. Wellesley Club wrote to invite Sam to their annual luncheon on Jan. 19 at the Manhattan Hotel to “tell us in a few words your experience as a lobbyist” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “decline”.

F.W. Shumaker for Sterling Debenture Corp., NYC. wrote to solicit Sam to purchase shares in the American Telegraphone Company, which combined features of the telephone and the phonograph, recording speech [MTP].

January 20 Sunday – Isabel Lyon’s journal:

 

Early—at 9—C.C. went back to Katonah. R.G. [Rodman Gilder] went with her. At ten I went into the King’s room, he had a waiting look within him & after I had gone over some mail—a late yesterday batch—he picked up the paper & read a political article from The Times, seasoning it all along with the keen comment that is his. I do not become accustomed to his wisdom; no, daily I am amazed at his insight into men & political situations. He gave me a long & splendid political talk; and then I  handed him a letter from a Canadian, one Mr. Kennin who wrote to say that the sweet verses Mr. Clemens had believed were written by Susy, were written by [blank space] & that he believed Mr. Clemens would be glad to know it. And he was. For as the King said, he would not want Susy to be claiming from the grave a thing that was not hers. He went on to say that the particular reason for his dislike of Stedman is due to the fact that the King wrote him, just after we came home from Italy, asking if he could tell him who wrote the verses & Stedman wrote him such an indifferent letter, one claiming all honor for Stedman the Anthologist & evincing no interest for anyone’s but Stedman’s poems.

Along about 12 o’clock the King got into & out of the tub & went to his room & his bed again. “The Librarian” as he calls Katherine, is away just now for she isn’t well—but when she’s here she rubs the King’s head dry after his bath & so I took her place & rubbed his damp hair into a glory of a white & beautiful fluff. He worked later on Auto batches & later still Col. Harvey came in and the King’s worries are at an end over the N.A. Review & its dockings of the Ms. The plan has been made to pay the King $2,000.00 a month until one hundred thousand words have been turned in, & that will provide the needed amount to build the house at Redding.

At 6 o’clock the King started in Mr. Rogers’s auto for the Rogers house where he is to spend the night. He can’t drive out any more & come home too. It racks him so for the next day, & fixes him so that he cannot dictate. It is so lonely without him, when he goes to spend a night away. I went into his tobaccoed room, & it was better to be there than to be in a thousand chapels with incense. Yesterday I told C.C. that perhaps the King will take her over to Europe in the spring. The King & I, it would be, & she was glad [TS 16-18].

 

January 21 Monday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote an aphorism to an unidentified person: “Consider the proportions of things: it is better to be a young june-bug than an old bird of Paradise. / Truly Yours / Mark Twain / Jan. 21/07” [MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Dr. Herring came, says Bermuda is better in summer than in winter.

Yesterday morning the kind said that in spite of all the builders might say to the contrary “the skyscrapers wouldn’t have any more show in time of an earthquake than a cat without claws would have in Hell”.

It was that remark of his which set me dreaming last night … [her related dream cut here]

Gerry Brush came in this afternoon & stayed on & on with me until 9:45. The King dined with the Robt. Colliers & came home at 10:30 with freesia in his button hole, & smoking a long thick cigar. He dropped into his big brown chair & told how Mr. Dooley was there, & what a pleasant time it was [TS 18-19].

The H.W. Gray Co. sent under separate cover a copy of The New Music Review and a subscription blank [MTP].

 

Nat Haddow wrote to Clemens from Melbourne, Australia to relate his memories of seeing, with his late mother, Sam’s lecture in Melbourne. “My mother was a very religious woman & without humor.” After the lecture he “said, well Mother what do you think of Mark Twain? My son (she said) I hope you will never take me to such a place again. ‘He just simply stood there telling lies’” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “We get all sorts of criticisms & we are very much delighted with this one.”

J.J. Halsey of the New York Press Art Bureau, replied to Isabel Lyon and indirectly to Sam that they couldn’t send a photographer to his house as he’d suggested “because we could not get the results adapted to reproduction purposes, and would much prefer to wait until Mr. Clemens could find it convenient to call at The Marceau Studio” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Cannot go / The effects can be got here perfectly well”

January 22 Tuesday – Isabel Lyon’s journal:

 

The King dined at the Coes & will stay the night.

But today he told me more about the Collier dinner than he did last night. Mr. Collier had an unpublished Kipling poem which is to appear soon in Collier’s Weekly, & he asked Mr. Clemens to translate it, but he couldn’t do it, because he said that if almost anyone but Kipling had written it, it would be a satire, but Kipling is so orthodox in his beliefs & this poem is about Mary and Martha—so the King thinks it will have to go with “They” “They” was never a mystery to me, & now that the story has appeared in book-form, Kipling who wouldn’t ever enter an explanation of a story of his, has prefaced it with a beautiful poem which must forever wipe [a]way any doubt as to the meaning of the story. In so subtle a way he has clarified & beautified that little gem. When I said that I couldn’t see why Kipling with his breadth of intellect should still be orthodox, the King explained how it is his training that makes him cling to his early beliefs; then he loves power & authority & Kingship—& that has to show itself in his religion. All the time he was talking he walked round the billiard table knocking 4 pool balls & making such good shots—& scoring such good runs—& he went on to say that the time could easily come that if his mind became enfeebled from an enfeebled body, that on a lingering death bed, he could probably call for Joe Twichell & a bible & do a lot of repenting [TS 19-20]. Note: a short newspaper clipping, datelined Stockholm, Aug. 19 is pasted here, “Nobel Prize for Kipling; Mark Twain Was, It Is Said, Suggested for the Honor This Year.”

 

Charles Hopkins Clark wrote from Hartford to invite Sam to a “dinner call” on Mar. 6 [MTP]. Note: see after Jan. 22 for his reply.

W.W. Denslow wrote from NYC to Sam, desirous of seeing him and talking about Bermuda, and his island in particular, “as Dr. Herring of the Bermudian tells me you are interested and intend to return to the Sunlit islands” [MTP].

 

Charles J. Langdon wrote from Elmira, NY to Sam, having just rec’d a property tax bill on the Buffalo property. Sam’s one-third would be $43.99. Also, he wrote that Jervis “had a delightful time with you. He thinks it is much more fun to do business with you than it is to work at anything else” [MTP].

 

John Trotwood Moore wrote to Sam on Taylor-Trotwood Publishing Co., Nashville, Tenn. letterhead.

 

I inclose a clipping about you & I am sending you this by mail a copy of my magazine containing the story Rumany Riss which I thought ou might like to read.

I should love to have a line from you telling me just how much rest and sleep you take. It is not impertinence but my drive to know how much a man of your great brain work needs after hard creation or other brain work. / with personal regard… [MTP]. Note: no clipping is in the file. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Have to keep these secrets to myself. If they re likely to get into print—for Harpers wont have it— / Harpers is not my address for 2^nd class mail—All such mail sent there never gets any further. For the express & extra postage charges in the summertime would bankrupt me”

S.F. Battarns for West Point Military Academy wrote to Sam: “It gives me pleasure to inform you that the privileges of the West Point Army Mess are extended to you for the ensuing year” [MTP].

 

In Sam’s A.D. he explained about not being able to identify the author, Robert Richardson (d.1901), of the lines which had been chosen for Susy Clemens’ headstone: “We had found them in a book in India, but had lost the book and with it the author’s name. But in time an application to the editor of ‘Notes and Queries [NY Times] furnished me the author’s name…and it has been added to the verses upon the gravestone” [Gribben 508].

 

January 22 after – At 21 Fifth Ave., N.Y. Sam wrote on the Jan. 22 invite from Charles Hopkins Clark (of the Hartford Courant), declining a “dinner call” in Hartford. “Can’t go have no sufficient good excuse except that I have retired—never again accept a banquet invitation that in my heart I do not feel obliged to attend from a sense of duty or for some higher reason” [MTP].

Sam replied with thanks to S.F. Battarns, for “the honor you confer in extending to me the privileges of the West Point Army Mess for the coming year. I accept them with pleasure & hope I may be able to use them”  [MTP].

January 23 Wednesday – At 5 p.m. at Fifth Ave., N.Y. Sam fell up the front steps and skinned his “starboard shin” [Jan. 26 to Jean].  

Isabel Lyon’s journal: More about Aldrich’s coat—label gone.

This afternoon Mr. Clemens went up to Mrs. Nathan’s to see a clever clairvoyant Prof. Bert Rees a big-faced German who read the contents of folded bits of paper in quite a wonderful way. He told the King among other things that he would live to be 98 years ten months & 2 days old—& the King wants to swap off some of those years & months & days.

Today C.C. had another letter from T.B. Aldrich about that coat, & how the complaint is that the London label has been taken out, & how could it have happened—a poet—a man of letters—harassed by the loss of a tiny coat label—it is unthinkable; but again it shows Aldrich as he truly is & not as the finely sensitive creature that strangers believe him to be. The creature whose mentality is of a quality to keep him above the region of coats, let alone a label [TS 18-19]. Note: Mrs. Nathan may be Maud Nathan (Mrs. Frederick Nathan). See 24 Dec. 1909.

George B. Cortelyou wrote on Postmaster General, Washington DC notepaper to invite Clemens to the annual banquet of the University Club of Washington on Feb. 16 [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Shouldn’t be able to come  now in old age, but in any case have an engagement for that date.”

John C.G. Cumming wrote from Falkirk, Scotland to Sam, insisting he was not an autograph collector and thanking him for his many books. He also told a tale about corpses being dug up in China and gorgonzola cheese, that “looks like a variation of one of yours, Sir, but it isn’t” [MTP]. Note: see Sam’s reply Feb.2-6 entry. Also IVL’s journal Feb. 4 entry.

 

George H. Himes wrote on Oregon Historical Society, Portland, Ore. letterhead to Sam. After reading one of the recent Autobiography articles in the NAR, Himes recalled he’d written Sam about “a journeyman printer named [Urban East] Hicks, who worked in the office of your Brother Orion at Hannibal, in he late 40’s; and the fact that I wrote to you about him perhaps 18 years ago, when he was in my employ.” Since Sam had inquired of Hicks, Himes told what became of him and the various places he lived in his declining years; also of his death at age 78 when a train ran over him. He added a page of his history with Hicks that began in the late fall of 1853 [MTP].

George W. Jepsen wrote for The Danish Dramatic Society, NYC to announce that Mrs. Oda Nielsen from Copenhagen, Denmark has arrived in New York and would go on tour in the US. She could “sing in almost any language, and she has a manner of interpreting her songs, which is unknown here, and which has made her famous in Europe.” Sam was invited to be the guest of honor to meet her on Jan. 27, 8 p.m. [MTP].

Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP as “really two dictations.”    

January 24 Thursday – At 21 Fifth Ave., N.Y. the back of a chair gave way with Sam in it. He fell backward striking his head, his feet in the air, his chin crushing his chest. He was not injured, though he wrote he couldn’t do that again without breaking his neck [Jan. 26 to Jean].  

Isabel Lyon’s journal: W.W. Denslow came at 5 to talk about that island of his in Bermuda but it seems that he will want it in August & if the King goes to Bermuda he will want to stay until October anyway. The King had wanted Denslow to come for luncheon. Luck prevented my reaching him by telephone to give him the invitation, & now the King tells me that Denslow is coarse & vulgar. I suspected it by his voice when he telephoned me this morning. In fact I fancied perhaps he was a little drunk—but I imagine it was just Denslow. The King sat in an ordinary straight backed chair while they were talking in the billiard room & in his interest of the subject he threw himself back in the chair. There was a crack and a crash; the chair-back split off & the King fell over backward striking his head on the floor. He told me that he had his “prayer” all ready & got it out before he touched the floor, fearing he’d land in Eternity first. He knocked the billiard balls around while he talked to me, in a soft light, & made wonderful shots [TS 21-22].

William J.C. Dulany, Booksellers and Stationers, Baltimore, Md. wrote to ask Sam who the publisher was for his “little booklet entitled ‘King Leopold’s Soliloquy’” [MTP].

Arda Bates Rorison wrote to invite Sam to the opening performance of Jeanne d’Arc Jan. 29; they could call for him at 7 pm [MTP].

January 25 Friday – Sam played billiards with Peter Dunne (“Mr. Dooley”) [Jan. 26 to Jean]. Lyon wrote:

Isabel Lyon’s journal: The King said “I am just thirsting for blood & Mr. Dooley is going to furnish it!”—Billiards!—Mr. Dooley is coming for luncheon. But the King is walking up & down the billiard room with quick light eager steps—ready for dictation, but readier for the blood of Mr. Dooley [Peter Dunne].

Later: He got the blood, for he and Mr. Dooley played all the afternoon & while Mr. D isn’t a good billiardist, he is good company, & the King was quite happy, I think.

Mr. John Howells came in with some nice plans for the Redding house [TS 22].

Chatto & Windus wrote to Clemens, enclosing a statement and check for £123:2:7 for sales of his boks for the half-year ending Dec. 31, 1906 [MTP]

 

Howells & Stokes Co. (John M. Howells) wrote to Miss Lyon with details of the proposed Redding house, working within the $25,000 allowance [MTP].

January 26 Saturday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to daughter Jean in Katonah, N.Y.  

It is good news, Jean dear, that you are having healthful outdoor times, & especially good news that Dr. Hunt perceives that your condition is improved. It is very good news.

Miss Lyon is sure you will like the carriage. From the description of it I am of the same opinion. George & the carriage & the horse will doubtless soon be on their way to you.

I am glad you enjoy your carving-work. Your pigs were cunningly & artistically done, & mighty attractive. If I could do such things I should greatly enjoy it.

John Howells has planned a house which is going to be very satisfactory, I think—in all ways, cost included.

Dooley came & played billiards yesterday & I won a dollar, & Clara tried to make me give it back to him. She does everything she can to make it difficult for me to support the family [MTP]. Note: he also told of skinning his shin and also falling backward as a chair gave way; not being able to do it again without breaking his neck. Dr. Edward Livington Hunt.

 

Sam also wrote to Joe Twichell. Dear Joe: / All the periodicals have refused this poem—ever since election day. Get Charley Clark to put it in the Courant. ….[Enclosed:]

The Battle of Ivoy

Man For His Own Hand.

===

Being a Campaign Anthem.

===

Air—Jerusalem the Golden.

———

 

Ho, burghers of Dutch Albany,

Ho, buggers of New York,

Ho, sons of bitches from the slums

And painted whores from Cork,*

Ho, gallows-birds from Hell’s Delight

And convicts prison-nursed,

O, gather, gather to the polls

And ’lect the bloody Hurst!

===

* A poetically-licensed divergence from fact. They don’t come from there [MTP].

 

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Benjamin dinner. A.B. back & the King glad.

This afternoon Mr. Clemens went up to see “Fletcher” the palmist. At 4 o’clock he came home full of the amusement of it. Fletcher told him that he was to live close onto a century. That he had 2 investments connected with the ground—one of which was to be of great importance in about 2 years time, and that he’d be advised to sell out, but that he mustn’t do it. The King said “There’s the Utah [Consolidated stock] & the Farm [Redding house]”. We sat on the red sofa in the billiard room while he told me about his visit there & then he read a little of Omar Khyayyam aloud. It’s a new translation just sent to the King & translates 8 of the quatrains. Of course it doesn’t tally with FitzGerald’s exactly, which made the King remark that “Omar had changed his principles” [TS 22-23]. Note: see Feb. 2 to Eben Francis Logan, who sent the book. Gribben p. 517 was working with an older TS here, so his page numbers are different.

 

In the evening Sam attended a banquet in honor of Senator from Montana, William Andrews Clark (1839-1925). Clark made a fortune in Montana in mining, banking and railroads, and owned a magnificent house on Fifth Ave., containing a wealth of art treasures. The NY Times, Jan. 27, p. 13:

 

 

Note: Fatout lists this as a speaking engagement for Twain (p.676), but from Sam’s narration of the day and event in MTE (p.70-77), he clearly did not:

 

I went to the dinner, which was served in a small private room of the club with the usual piano and fiddlers present to make conversation difficult and comfort impossible. I found that the Montana citizen was not merely a guest but that the dinner was given in his honor. While the feeding was going on two of my elbow neighbors supplied me with information concerning the reasons for this tribute of respect to Mr. Clark. Mr. Clark had lately lent to the Union League Club, which is the most powerful political club in America and perhaps the richest, a million dollars’ worth of European pictures for exhibition. It was quite plain that my informant regarded this as an act of almost superhuman generosity. One of my informants said, under his breath and with awe and admiration, that if you should put together all of Mr. Clark’s several generosities to the club, including this gaudy one, the cost to Mr. Clark first and last would doubtless amount to a hundred thousand dollars. I saw that I was expected to exclaim, applaud, and adore, but I was not tempted to do it, because I had been informed five minutes earlier that Clark’s income, as stated under the worshipping informant’s breath, was thirty million dollars a year [MTE 72-3].

 

Susan L. Warner (Mrs. Charles Dudley Warner) wrote to Sam upon learning he was to be a pallbearer for Mrs. Hooker. Would he stay with Mary Barton and herself over night? [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “I thank you ever so much but am not able to come.”

 

January 27 Sunday – Isabel Lyon’s journal:

 

This morning I had no mail for the King so we had talk instead & he read me Mr. Dooley’s ideas about the Army Canteen which appears in today’s Times. He sat up in bed & rolled it out so deliciously, gurgling with delight. I wish Peter Dunne could have seen him. I wish Kipling would see him read those immortal Jungle Tales.

C.C. went off to Boston at 12:30. Such a bustle to get her off & then as A.B. & I sat by my open fire, I bade him stop talking for I heard a wail a lamentation. It was the King singing. I flew down stairs & I told A.B. that the King was lonely, for he sings like that only when his spirit is calling for lost companionship. I found him cursing the loneliness of the house—the first floor—& it is that way. There’s nothing gemütlich about those rooms, but they could be made so—oh easily. However, we lunched & the King was brilliant. Then he played billiards—a left handed game—all the afternoon with A.B. & all the evening too. I watched for a little while, & so rested myself, for I’m very weary sometimes. And the King always rests me—always [TS 23]. Note: gemütlich: German adj.: Warm and congenial; pleasant or friendly.

 

Gertrude H. Baldwin wrote inviting Sam to some function [MTP]. On or just after this date Sam replied:

“Don’t go out at night any more except when I feel obliged to do it & that will be exceedingly seldom. If I haven’t done my share of work I have at least reached the time limit when I ought to have done it” [MTP].

 

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Sam was “cursing the loneliness of this house” [Hill 165].

Robert Reid wrote a rather illegible letter to Sam that begins, “I wanted to see you—I didn’t know you were going to see Mr R.” (H.H. Rogers) The rest is only partially readable [MTP].

 

January 28 Monday – In his A.D. Sam referred to songs: “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” as he had in Ch. 11 of PW back in 1894 [Gribben 236]. He also referred to the Jan. 26 dinner, when Senator Clark of Montana “rose to the tune of … ‘God Save the King,’ frantically sawed and thumped by the fiddlers and the piano” during Union League Club speeches [263]. “The Star Spangled Banner” [370]. Note: Devoto selected this day’s dictation for inclusion in Mark Twain in Eruption (1940) p.70-77.  

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “They” poem.   Englishman

The King played billiards all the afternoon & all the evening. At luncheon when we were talking about Kipling again & the obscurity of “They” I told the King how the story is now in book form & prefaced by a beautiful explanatory poem & ran upstairs to get it for him. He read it aloud as we sat at the table & he was deeply moved by its beauty & by the last part of it especially.

[written diagonally and in red pencil:]

The poem in my Kipling—“Traffics & Discoveries” [TS 24].

 

In Sam’s A.D. he mentioned Finley Peter Dunne (pseud. Mr. Dooley); he “is brilliant; he is an expert with his pen, and he easily stands at the head of all the satirists of this generation” [Gribben 209].  

Davis Johnson, attorney in Van Wert, Ohio wrote a Mark Twain fan letter to Sam, confessing that reading TS and HF now to his own children gave him the same pleasure it did when he was six [MTP].

January 29 Tuesday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam replied to Miss Eleanor Robson, who was raising money for the support of Bret Harte’s daughter, Mrs. Jessamy Steele, who, Miss Robson wrote this day was “in dire need and in the Portland Me. Almshouse.”

I feel that the American people owe a debt of gratitude to Bret Harte, for not only did he paint such pictures of California as delighted the heart, but there was such an infinite tenderness, such sympathy, such strength, and such merit in his work that the commanded the attention of the world to our country, and his daughter is surely deserving of our sympathy [NY Times Jan. 30, 1907, p.18 “Aid for Harte’s Daughter”].

 

Note: Eleanor Robson Belmont (1879-1979) was an English stage actress who was currently playing a role in a Bret Harte play, Salomy Jane.  She made her New York debut in 1900 and was popular in the US until 1910, when she retired after marrying August Belmont, Jr. (1853-1924) financier and builder of New York’s Belmont Park racetrack.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Miss Minah Smith came with her plans of her Bermuda house—$125 a month & darling. I carried them up to the King who was in his tub—so I waited on the stairs until he came out of the bathroom. He Swore roundly at something in there & come to find out he had dropped 2 cakes of soap in the tub & they were so slippery he couldn’t get hold of them. I rubbed his head dry while I told him about the plans & the nigger servants & how he’d be living close to the archbishop and he wondered if anyone would be good enough to induce the archbishop to move away.

A Mr. Leander Richardson came in a short time ago to ask Mr. Clemens to allow his name to be used in a testimonial Miss Eleanor Robson is getting up for one of the Bret Harte’s daughters who is in a poorhouse, & the King is willing.

The King went up to the Rogerses for dinner & to spend the night. It is Mr. Rogers’s birthday & the King took up an ash tray with an angel fish enameled upon it. Mother & I went out to the Brevoort & later AB came in and we had a sweet and cosy talk in my room. He is such a frank creature & looks fate in the eyes & believes in the great fabric of life [MTP TS 24-25].

Isabel V. Lyon wrote for Sam to Frederic Whyte. “M^r. Clemens asks me to write for him & say that he has received both your letter & the Graphic; and that he supposed there was nothing about your first letter that indicated you would use his private answer in a public way. It has made him violate a contract with his publisher, which he naturally regrets” [MTP]. Note: Whyte had written on Dec. 7, 1906 asking Sam’s reaction to the endorsement of phrenology by Alfred Russel Wallace; Whyte then published some of Sam’s remarks in the London Daily Graphic without permission.

Rachel A. King wrote from Scotland to thank Sam for his kind letter and photo. On his next birthday she promised to send “something that will remind you of your boyhood” [MTP].

Mrs. F.B. Powell wrote from Woodstock, NY to ask Sam for a “few lines” [MTP].

Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP.  

January 30 Wednesday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: Tearing headache less than 3 weeks since last.

Yesterday the King gave permission to have his name used in the Eleanor Robson benefit for Bret Harte’s daughter, but today he has revoked it, for he sees through the whole thing as being mainly an advertisement for Eleanor Robson. He is so impulsive, & continually has to withdraw from propositions that he has gone into with enthusiasm [MTP TS 25].

Henry Meade Bland wrote from San Jose, Calif. to Sam, enclosing a clipping from the Overland Monthly of Jan. 1907, and a clipping from the San Jose Times. (The former in the file.) He had his artist, Miss Alice Resor, make a drawing from the photo Sam sent. He requested the honor of meeting him should Sam ever venture out West again. The article enclosed by Bland discusses the friendship between Twain and Charles Warren Stoddard, then expanded into a brief biography [MTP]. Note: after this date Sam replied to Bland, writing a note to Lyon on Bland’s letter: “not likely to ever go away from NY City again but if he comes East would be glad to see him” [MTP].

 

John Mead Howells wrote to Isabel Lyon enclosing “a new set of sketches embodying all the points we discussed yesterday” on the Redding house [MTP].

 

Jervis Langdon II wrote to Sam that the director meeting for the Hope-Jones Organ Co. on Jan 25 had issued a call for 15% on the subscription of stock. He requested Sam to send $750.00 [MTP].

Eleanor Robson wrote to Sam [MTP]. Letter is missing.

Abbott Rose wrote from NYC to Sam. She was secretary for the new organization, the Mark Twain Literary Society. She requested an autographed letter authorizing the use of his name [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: Answd Feb. 21, ‘08”

 

Harriet E. Whitmore wrote from Hartford to praise Sam for his books and to castigate those in Massachusetts library who restricted Eve’s Diary [MTP].

 

In his A.D. Sam referred to King Charles II as one who lowered English standards of “official and commercial morals,” which had been raised by Cromwell [Gribben 237].

Of the selections from Twain’s A.D.’s, DeVoto selected about half of the materials not chosen before by Paine to be included in Mark Twain in Eruption (1940); among DeVoto’s choices, was “The Teaching Applied,” dictated this day, which blamed Jay Gould and his successors for the corruption of the American moral system.   He also accused Colorado Senator Simon Guggenheim (1867-1941) of paying for his office from the state legislature [81-3].   Also in MTE was another dictation, “The Little Tale,” of this date. It was a story of a book collector’s find of a First Folio of Shakespeare in a farmer’s house and a purchase for a price far below its value. Sam compared this to the honesty of James Hammond Trumbull. Sam likely noted the tale, told to him at the Union League Club dinner for Senator Clark, because the collector was a clergyman [91-6].  

 

January 30 ca. – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam replied to the Jan. 3 from Eleanor Robson.

It might be better taste to leave me out. For the past 30 years we were not friends. In the circumstances I do not want a prominent place—never heard of any member of the family who differed much from Bret Harte. I despised him. If there are going to be a lot of names, then well & good [MTP: MS draft]. Note: may be a first draft effort for the Jan. 29 to Robson.

January 31 Thursday – Life Magazine ran a cartoon   of Mark Twain sitting “on a barrel of cigars and smoking, with text praising him in general terms for his good humor and his attacks on folly and vice” [Tenney: “A Reference Guide Sixth Annual Supplement,” American Literary Realism, Spring 1982 p. 10]. Note: compare this to the Dec. 21, 1905 cartoon in Life, celebrating his 70^th birthday.  

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Chinatown and the beads. / The King’s watch is gone” [MTP TS 25].

Jervis Langdon II wrote to Sam on Hope-Jones Organ Co. of NY and Elmira letterhead, asking him to sign and return enclosed papers in complying with the law in the matter of organization. They were already building an organ for Troy, N.Y and expected other contracts [MTP].

 

Laura J. Kreps wrote from Pittsburg, Penn. to ask Sam to “revise or help” with a short story she and her daughter had written that had been rejected by two editors [MTP].

 

January, late (before Feb. 1) – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam replied to  the Jan. 2 of Witter Bynner:

Of all sad words of tongue or pen,

The saddest are these: It might have been.

Ah say not so! as life grows longer, leaner, thinner

We recognize, O God, it might have Bynner! [MTP].

 

February – Sometime during the month Sam dined with William James, who wrote to his brother Henry James afterward: “Poor man, only good for monologue, in his old age, or for dialogue at best, but he’s a dear little genius all the same” [J. Kaplan 379].

The first edition of Christian Science, with Notes Containing Corrections to Date was published in February, 1907; two copies were deposited with the Copyright Office on Feb. 7 [Hirst, “A Note on the Text” Afterword materials p.13, Oxford ed. 1996].

Sometime after the release of CS, an unidentified person wrote to him about the book: “Wishing you success in your good work of shining the absurdities and hypocrisies of Christian Science” [MTP]

Sam signed his photo to an unidentified person [MTP: Maggs Bros. catalog, No. 1257, Item 38].  

Stuart Gould’s article, “Samuel L. Clemens” ran in Broadway Magazine (later Hampton’s Broadway Magazine) for Feb. [Tenney 44].

 

February 1 Friday – Anticipating the Feb. 2 Players Club luncheon with Eugene Fitch Ware, Sam spent most of the day reading The Rhymes of Ironquill [MTB 1374].

The New York Times, Feb. 2, reported on Sam’s appearance at Police headquarters:

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Frederick [sic Frederic] Thompson the hypnotized (?) artist came to the house today to tell a wonderful story about the strange influence that the spirit of Swain Gifford has had over him, converting him from a silversmith to an artist. Prof. Hyslob [sic] has become interested in his case. He came to see Mr. Clemens because he had been told that the King is interested in psychic things. The King didn’t see him, but I listened with the greatest interest to his story & AB, who came in while he was here, listened also with interest [MTP TS 25-26]. Note: Dr. James Hervy Hyslop (1854-1920), author, educator, considered by some the leader of psychical research in America. Ex-professor of Logic and Ethics at Columbia.

Witter Bynner replied to Sam’s poem (before Feb. 1) with one of his own “To Saint Mark.”

Archangel of Profanity,

of Blasphemous Urbanity,

Shall be your name and post!—

You shall be king of carpers,

At all the heavenly Harpers—

You’ll make a bully Host!

At every feather-tip, an oath

Ascended from the behemoth

Shall hang and sparkle plain,

And the Creator, staying near,

Shall beg you – with attentive ear –

To take His name in vain [MTP]. Note: Clemens wrote on the letter “His laugh is a search light attained to audibility—; Offered the compliments of a box on the 16^th of Feb—& he proposes to gather a friend or two  go.”

James Clarence Harvey wrote from NYC to Sam, hesitant to “desecrate” the P&P play because the managers of some club suggested more comedy, “which in managerial parlance means more loud laughs…” Harvey wanted to check with Sam before letting it “go by the boards” [MTP].

Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP.  

February 2 Saturday – Albert Bigelow Paine gave a private luncheon at the Players Club for Clemens and Eugene Fitch Ware,  who wrote poetry under the name “Ironquill.” Also at the luncheon were Peter Dunne (“Mr. Dooley”), and Robert J. Collier. Paine notes that Sam had “long been familiar” with Ware’s poetry, which had a “distinctly ‘Western’ feeling….“There was in his work that same spirit of Americanism and humor and humanity that is found in Mark Twain’s writings….” [MTB 1374]. Note: see Dec. 1 incoming from Ware.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: AB’s luncheon at the Players. / He gave a luncheon for the King & for Ironquill—Ware. There were Robert Collier & Mr. Dooley beside the first 3, & they had a noble time. Ware wrote in the King’s volume of poems—Ironquill poems—“The man that is frozen to death dies hard.” It delighted me—but the King didn’t find it clever at all [MTP TS 26; also Gribben 743]. Note: Clemens never cared too much for puns.

At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to James Logan, thanking him for sending “Mr. Thompson’s book,” sent in Jan.: “I owe you many thanks for sending me Mr. Thompson’s book. I read it with strong interest & pleasure, & shall continue to drink from it, for the more a disciple gets of Omar the thirstier he gets”  [MTP; Gribben 517]. Note: The Quatrains of Omar Khayyám of Nishapur, Translated from the Persian into English Verse, Including Quatrains Now for the First Time So Rendered by Eben Francis Thompson ( 1859-1939). Intro. by Nathan Haskell Dole (1852-1935). Worcester, Mass.: Privately printed, 1906. See Jan. entry for inscriptions. See also Jan. 26, for Sam’s comment on the book.

Sam also replied to the Jan. 13 letter and book from John Howard Moore (1862-1916), instructor in zoology, Crane Manual Training High School, Chicago.

Dear Mr. Moore,—The book has furnished me several days of deep pleasure & satisfaction; it has compelled my gratitude at the same time, since it saves me the labor of stating my own long-cherished opinions & reflections & resentments by doing it lucidly & fervently & irascibly for me.

There is one thing that always puzzles me: as inheritors of the mentality of our reptile ancestors we have improved the inheritance by a thousand grades; but in the matter of morals which they left us we have gone backward as many grades. That evolution is strange, & to me unaccountable and unnatural. Necessarily we started equipped with their perfect & blemishless morals; now we are wholly destitute; we have no real morals, but only artificial ones—morals created and preserved by the forced suppression of natural and hellish instincts. Yet we are dull enough to be vain of them. Certainly we are a sufficiently comical invention, we humans. / Sincerely Yours / S. L. Clemens [Paine’s 1917 Mark Twain’s Letters p.804-5; Quoted in MTB 1363]. Note: Moore’s book was The Universal Kinship (1906) [Gribben 482].

Norman Hapgood wrote from NYC to Sam. “William James is dining here next Saturday, the 8^th. Would you be one of a very small bunch to meet him?” [MTP]. Note: After this date Lyon replied for Sam, summarizing Sam’s wishes on Hapgood’s letter: “doesn’t want to have this / unspeakably glad it’s a very small bunch for Wm James & Hapgood are bunch enough in themselves / above 3 guests / strong”  [MTP].

Minnie N. Goodwin (Mrs. Frederic S. Goodwin) sent Sam an invitation to a Feb. 16, 7 p.m. banquet of “uncooked food” at their studio 467 Central Park West. She had had “a little chat” with Sam “on the stage at the last Vassar Aid Benefit.” She also wrote “I honor you for exposing that colossal fraud—old Mother Eddy”[MTP].

At the annual dinner of the New York University School of Commerce at the Hotel Astor, Mark Twain’s publisher, George B. Harvey, related an exchange between Sam and H.H. Rogers. The New York Times, Feb. 3, p.4 “Wants a Business Man in the Hall of Fame,” reported:

February 2-6 Wednesday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam gave instructions to Isabel Lyon to reply to the Jan. 23 from John C.G. Cumming in Scotland and “Thank him for the cheese letter” [MTP].

February 3 Sunday – The New York Times, p. SM7 ran “Mark Twain Pays His Respects to Mrs. Eddy and Christian Science,” which announced the publication this week of Christian Science.  

Isabel Lyon’s journal: The King set sail in his white clothes for Mrs. Laffan’s, ,  so that he could arrive in time for luncheon, which he did & he came home gay & happy. Mrs. Paine & Joy & Louise came in this morning. I played on the orchestrelle for the children, but it was a trying occasion, for Mrs. Paine is jealous of this whole situation & it was difficult to break away from the frozen crust she banked herself behind [MTP TS 26]. Note: Joy and Louise were daughters of Mr. & Mrs. Albert Bigelow Paine.

Mrs. Elizabeth R. Baucert wrote from West Newton, Mass. to advise Sam of a review of CS in this day’s Boston Herald. Sam had written that the Boston Christian Science Trust “gives nothing away; every thing it has is for sale.” Baucert advised that she’d noticed a sign on the First CS church there “Free Reading Room,” and mused that it might be free to get in but not to get out. “Your suggestion of their worship of Dollar—so prominent in Mrs. Eddy’s Science reminds one of the advice of the immortal Josh Billings, “Git money, my son, honestly if ye can—but git it” [MTP]. Note: clipping from the Boston Herald is in the file, date handwritten on side of Feb. 4, “Motto is ‘Down with Reason’”. Twain is not mentioned.

Mary Mewell Eaton, a NYC highschool teacher wrote to Sam, trying to “awaken in one hundred youngster’s hearts a love of good literature,” asked for his autograph [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter from Sam: “Thank her for her letter”

February 4 Monday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: All day in Katonah. Jean was very sweet & I had a lovely time with the dear bruised child for last Friday she fell.

This morning I had a good hour with the King who read with delight a letter from a Scotchman who told a story of the disinterment of a Chinese corpse in Amoy. The King will use it as an autobiographic note covering the mail of the day [MTP TS 26-27]. Note: John C.G. Cumming wrote from Falkirk, Scotland on Jan. 23.

J.C. Tebbetts wrote from Pittsburg about CS, which he had studied for years and which he thought was “the idiocy of Mrs. Eddy’s teaching.” However, Tebbetts seems to defend Eddy and quotes Scripture in doing so [MTP]. Note: Sam would reply on Feb. 7.

 

Mr. Eddy of NYC wrote a postcard to Sam after seeing yesterday’s NY Herald about Mrs. Eddy,which did him “$10 worth of good” [MTP]. Note: evidently, this Eddy unrelated to Mrs. Eddy.

 

John E. Fellers wrote from Chicago to Sam, pasting three short clippings about Christian Science, advising him not to publish CS. “The writer of this letter was raised in Missouri not far from your old Hannibal home. He has always felt a pardonable pride in your growing popularity. Many of your old friends are my friends too. It will be easier for us than for thousands of others, to forget the mistake you are about to make in publishing this book” [MTP]. Note: see Sam’s reply (Feb. 8-11).

 

Jeannette L. Gilder wrote to Lyon, wrong about the date of the Jeanne D’Arc matinee—it was the 23^rd, not the 16^th  and so she was “holding a box for Mr. Clemens for Saturday Matinee Feb. 23^rd” [MTP].

 

Brander Matthews wrote from NYC to Sam, observing he hadn’t had a visit for some time. Could Sam “come up at half past one on Friday of next week, the 15^th? I’m asking Howells, of course, and Bronson Howard,—only eight in all” [MTP].

Roi Cooper Megrue for Elisabeth Marbury wrote to Sam, enclosing contracts between Clemens and Gabriel Timmory, French playwright, for the adaptation of four other stories, all but one in French [MTP].

Mrs. L.E. Skeels wrote from NYC to ask Sam for an agency for his CS book, confident that her sales would be “very large” [MTP].

In Sam’s A.D. he emphasized the importance of temperament in determining behavior, noting it accounted for “the plight of Bret Harte’s daughter, who reportedly had been committed to a home for the indigent and friendless in Portland, Maine” [MTE  268-92; quotations are Gribben’s 403]. Note: MTP notes: “Datelined thus; but really 5 days’ ADs”

February 5 Tuesday – The New York Times, p.9 ran this squib:

Ross Clark wrote from Portland, Ore. to ask if Sam had written a book titled Through Dust and Foam. If so, where could he get a copy? [MTP]. Note: Lyon on letter: ‘Answd Mch 13, ‘07”; the 1876 book was written by R. Hook and G.D. Hook.

February 6 Wednesday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to Willam Dean Howells, Finley Peter Dunne, and George B. Harvey. He wanted to form “The Damned Human Race Club”:

The Human Race will meet at the above address on St. Valentine’s

 Feb. 15^th at 1.15 p.m.

This club consists of 4 members—to-wit:

Howells

Dooley [Peter Dunne]

Harvey

Clemens

Officers:

President pro tem—Clemens

Invitation Committee—Harvey

 

Hon. Sec. – – – Miss Lyon.

The President pro tem. hopes that all the membership will be present.

By order—

I.V. Lyon, Hon. Sec. [MTP; not in MTHL]. Note: the club never managed to fully convene:

http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/Exhibits/mtatplay/sociallife/clubman.html

 

In Mark Sullivan’s memoir, he spoke of the chumminess between Richard J. Collier, Norman Hapgood and Peter Dunne that led to the formation of the G.D.H.R, the “God Damned Human Race Club”:

There was close friendship between Mark and three of the Colliers’ coterie, Hapgood, Robert Collier and Peter Dunne. Dunne was the only person I ever heard call Clemens “Mark’ to his face, though all of us, a generation younger, spoke of him among ourselves as “Old Mark.” Hapgood, Mark had taken into his circle as a family friend; Dunne he had taken in as a fellow humorist, one of whom Mark respected; Collier he took in as a young man he liked. Collier told me that after some early contacts Mark had said to him: “You look to me like a promising young fellow; if you continue to improve on acquaintance I’ll invite you to become a member of my club.” To Collier’s questions, Mark said the name of it was the G.D.H.R. Club, but the meaning of the initials Mark said he would not tell until he was satisfied that Collier was qualified to be a satisfactory member. The full name of the club, it turned out, was the God Damned Human Race; and the revelation of the name was occasion for Mark to blow off to a friend a bitterness which an honored author must not reveal to the public. “The God damned human race,” he would say, “look at them!” Watch a crowd of them coming out of a subway station, potbellied, snaggle-toothed; compare them to horses; compare them to collie dogs” [The Education of an American 231].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Today the King went up to call on Mrs. Mary Rogers” [MTP TS 27].

Frederick Palmer wrote from NYC to invite Sam to a dinner next door to Sam at the Brevoort Hotel on Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. Frederick McCormick, “who was with the Russian army from the start to the finish of the war, and myself, are to give a dinner to Robert Collins who was my tent-mate on the Japanese side in the Manchurian campaign. The occasion is Mr Collins’ departure to take charge of the Associated Press Bureau in London”  [MTP]. Note: Editiorial emphasis. After this date Sam gave instructions to Lyon: “If you will let him come in at nine or 9.30 I would like to be there”

James DeConlay, Jr., a roving correspondent of the Australasian Press and temporarily in NYC, wrote to ask if he might meet Mark Twain [MTP].

M.C.B. Hart wrote from NYC to Lyon, to thank Sam for autographing “the book and photograph” [MTP].

John Y. W. MacAlister wrote to Sam. “Fisher Unwin is bringing out a History of the Savage Club, and is anxious to have an authentic record of your connection with it…they want to know about your first visit, somewhere in the seventies…” [MTP].     

Frank A. Munsey & Co. wrote on “The Scrap Book” letterhead, NYC, to ask Sam his opinion of “the greatest figures in American history” [MTP].

J.A. Nolan wrote on New York Electric Music Co. letterhead to Sam. “Please find enclosed contracts for Telharmonic music sent you at the suggestion of a friend” [MTP]. Note: Sam had engaged the company to pipe music through his telephone for his prior New Year’s Eve party, and was quite taken with the technology.

February 7 Thursday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Santa home ill” [MTP TS 27]. Note: “Santa” was Clara.

 

Two copies of Christian Science were deposited with the copyright office [Hirst, “A Note on the Text” Afterword materials p.13, Oxford ed. 1996].  

In N.Y.C. Isabel V. Lyon wrote for Sam to James K. Paulding. “Mr. Clemens asks me to write for him to say that he is willing to have his name used as one of the committee arranging for the memorial meeting for Ernest Howard Crosby” [MTP]. Note: Crosby, active in the Anti Imperialist League, died on Jan. 3 in Baltimore at age 50.

Sam also inscribed a copy of CS to Isabel V. Lyon: “To / Miss I.V. Lyon / Hon. Sec. G.D.H.R. / with affectionate best wishes of / The Author. / God’s inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn. / Truly Yours, / Mark Twain / N.Y. Feb./07” [MTP].  

 

Sam also noted for Lyon what is probably a reply to J.C. Tebbetts’ Feb. 4 about CS. “I accept his letter in the spirit in which it is sent, but I perceive that he has not read the book but only scrappy reviews of it, & therefore he is not in a position to form an opinion of it” [MTP].

Sam also replied to the Jan. 30 of Harriet E. Whitmore.

But the truth is, that when a library expels a book of mine & leaves an unexpurgated Bible lying around where unprotected youth & age can get hold of it, the deep unconscious irony of it delights me. But even if it angered me such words as those of Professor Phelps would take the sting all out. Nobody attaches weight to the freaks of the Charlton library, but when a man like Phelps speaks, the world gives attention. Some day I hope to meet him & thank him for this courage for saying those things out in public. Custom is, to think a handsome thing in private but tame it down in the utterance.

I hope you are all well & happy; & thereto I add my love [MTP].

C.R. Eastman wrote to Sam on Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass. letterhead. After reading the several recent articles on Christian Science and Sam’s attack on it, Eastman inquired “whether it would be agreeable to you to have your findings considered from the standpoint of a professional scientist…” Eastman noted that he was  not allowed to take notes or copy extracts from the materials at the “Free” CS reading rooms, “not even a line or word.” His notes were demanded of him and taken by a “frizzle-haired harpy in charge, who clearly ‘missed the boat with Noah’” [MTP].

John Gelert, sculptor wrote from NYC to ask Sam if he would sit for a bust [MTP].

William J. Paine wrote from Orange, NJ (c/o Edison’s Laboratory) after reading Clemens’ opinion of Christian Science in Sunday’s NY World. Paine knew “positively from experience that a part of Science and Health was written by someone thoroughly posted on [The Secret of] Secret Service & I do not think that Mrs Eddy was the person…” If he could have an interview he could explain [MTP].

 

James A. Renwick wrote from NYC to receipt Sam for Feb. rent. $291.67 [MTP].

Count Arthur de Jcherep-Spiridovitch (1858-1926) wrote a postcard to Sam from Moscow, Russia, sending compliments and noting that Miss Lyon had forgotten to send Twain’s photo [MTP]. Note: The Count claimed to be a Major General in the Russian Army and President of the Slavonic Society of Russia and also of the Latino-Slavic League of Paris and Rome. Sam would attend his luncheon on Mar. 27. Nikolai V. Chaikovsky for Friends of Russian Freedom would dispute Spiridovitch’s claims in a Apr. 1 and other later letters to Sam.

February 8 Friday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to Samuel E. Moffett in Mt. Vernon, N.Y. (only the envelope survives) [MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Gabrilowitsch here. / Gilders – Tom Janvier – Drake Collection” [MTP TS 27]. Note: Thomas Allibone Janvier.

Frederick Palmer wrote a card (delivered not mailed) to Miss Lyon and Sam, thanking for the consent for Sam to be at the dinner at the Brevoort Hotel on Monday, Feb. 11 [MTP].

George W. Reeves for Hoyt & Co. wrote to Sam, enclosing a letter from George Griswold, Tuxedo park about houses for rent [MTP].

Caroline A. Skinner wrote from NYC to advise Sam that Mr. & Mrs Rogers were to dine with her on Thursday the Fourteenth, and she “would be delighted if you could come too” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “Sorry have /dinner engagement”

Edward B. Taylor wrote from Pittsburgh, Pa. to Sam enclosing a pamphlet, “Vision of Joseph Hoag” that Taylor thought might be of interest “in connection with your reference to the ‘Coming American Monarchy’…in his autobiography in the NAR of Jan. 4, 1907 [MTP].

 

February 8-11 Monday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam replied to the Feb. 4 of John E. Fellers.

You will be able to comment upon the book more intelligently after you’ve read it, at present you dont seem to know any useful thing about it. Of the bushel of letters from Commentators on the book that have reached me not one of them has read the book— Consequently not one of them is entitled to have an opinion [MTP].  

February 9 Saturday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “King dines at Norman Hapgood’s” [MTP TS 27].

Actors’ Fund wrote to Sam [MTP]. Note: On or after this day Sam replied to Daniel Frohman.

Dear Frohman:—Why certainly, use my name and use it freely. Use it in any way you can think of that can help to raise money for that Fund which not right feeling and grateful human being can even hear named without a leaping of the pulses and a warming of the heart.—Forget it if you want to. Yours ever, Mark Twain [MTP: Charles Agvent catalog, No. 4, Item 188].

Herman Spencer’s article, “Mark Twain and the Cat,” ran in Harper’s Weekly, p. 194. Tenney: “A general discussion of the pervasive reference to cats in MT’s works” [Tenney: “A Reference Guide Third Annual Supplement,” American Literary Realism, Autumn 1979 p. 192].

 

Nikolai V. Chaikovsky wrote from NYC to Sam. “My American Executive Committee suggests that I should induce you to preside over the public meeting in the interest of the Russian Revolution, to be held at Carnegie Hall on the 19th inst. evening, on the occasion of welcoming to this country Mr. A. Aladin, the peasant ex-member of the late State Duma, who is coming here to work with me in the same interest” [MTP].

Emma W. Durkee wrote from NYC to advise Sam he had been elected as “permanent guest” of the Smith College Club, and to invite him to their annual luncheon at the Hotel Astor, Feb. 23 at 1 p.m. [MTP].

Norman Fraser of Pearson’s Weekly wrote from London, England to Sam. “You are, I believe, of opinion that the United States will eventually become a monarchy. Would you care to write a short article—of about 1200 words—on this subject for Pearson’s Weekly, & if so what would be your fee?” [MTP].

Charles J. Langdon wrote to enclose a draft for $44.33 to Sam, his 1/3 share of rent “for the premises at the foot of Genesee St. in Buffalo to March 1^st, 1907” [MTP].

Joseph F. Taylor of J.F. Taylor & Co., Publishers & Importers wrote to Sam. “Mr. Paine very kindly gave me your portraits and autographs. I am indeed glad to possess these and assure you I appreciate them highly. I hope soon to hve the pleasure of meeting you…”  [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “This is the rubber man”

February 10 Sunday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Mr. North, director of census at Washington—today called to see Mr. Clemens with a personal message from the German Emperor” [MTP TS 27]. Note: Simon Newton Dexter (S.N.D.) North (1849-1924) of Boston was Director of US Census at this time.

The New York Times, p.6, “The Suppression of Noises” included Mark Twain with “Gifted intellects in New York, as well as the suffering sick,” in opposition to “megaphone trumpetings, hucksters’ cries, the pounding of ‘flat’ car-wheels in the still watches of the night, assorted apartment house nuisances, and, especially, undue noisemaking in the vicinity of hospitals.” Mrs. Isaac L. Rice’s bill had passed to “abate the whistling and screaming of sirens on the river.” Also named were Richard Watson Gilder, Prof. John Bassett Moore, President Nicholas Butler of Columbia, Sir Caspar Purdon Clarke, Dr. John Allen Wyeth (1845-1922) , and Dr. Charles E. Dana (1843-1914).

C.R. Eastman wrote on “The Harvard Union” notepaper to thank Sam “so much for your word of encouragement” [MTP].

 

Stanford E. Moses wrote an appreciative fan letter to Sam from the USS Georgia, Boston Navy Yard, specifically praising TS, HF, JA and “Concerning the Jews,” of which Moses was one [MTP].

 

February 11 Monday – In N.Y.C. Isabel V. Lyon wrote for Sam to Calvin H. Higbie.

M^r. Clemens asks me to write for him & say that within a day or so you will receive a letter from his biographer M^r. Albert Bigelow Paine, who is planning to make a journey out to California in the early spring to collect material for his biography…. [MTP].

Paine quotes from his notebook for this day about memory:

February 11, 1907. He said to-day:

“A blindfolded chess-player can remember every play and discuss the game afterward, while we can’t remember from one shot to the next.”

I mentioned his old pilot-memory as an example of what he could do if he wished.

“Yes,” he answered, “those are special memories; a pilot will tell you the number of feet in every crossing at any time, but he can’t remember what he had for breakfast.”

“How long did you keep your pilot-memory?” I asked.

“Not long; it faded out right away, but the training served me, for when I went to report on a paper a year or two later I never had to make any notes.”

“I suppose you still remember some of the river?”

“Not much. Hat Island, Helena and here and there a place; but that is about all” [MTB 1370].

Fatout lists a dinner speech for Sam at the Robert Collyer Dinner, N.Y.C. and gives these particulars about Collyer:

Robert Collyer (1823-1912) was a British-born Unitarian clergyman. An abolitionist, active on the Civil War Sanitary Commission, he was afterward pastor of Unity Church, Chicago, then of the Church of the Messiah, New York. He was a great success on the lyceum circuit with his popular lecture, “Clear Grit” [MT Speaking 676]. Note: Fatout gives no particulars of Sam’s speech.

Henry Blanchard wrote from Portland, Maine to advise Sam of an old schoolmate at Tufts College, who later became a Unitarian minister, J. Henry Wiggin. Blanchard quoted Wiggin that he had edited and rewritten much of the MS for Eddy’s Science and Health. Blanchard also mentioned he’d met Clemens in 1869 at the Bates House in Indianapolis and remembered Sam’s drollery [MTP].

Ted D. Marks, “International Amusement Promoter” wrote to Sam, reminding him they’d both been on a ship across the Atlantic, and Sam had been chairman of the concert Marks had “got up for the Benefit, for Seaman’s Orphans.” Marks had a “little business proposition” for Sam and asked to meet him [MTP].

 

Frank J. Symmes to Sam wrote on “The Merchants’ Association” letterhead, San Fransicso to invite Sam to the Apr. 18 Annual Dinner at the Fairmont Hotel, S.F.  [MTP].

Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP.  

February 12 Tuesday – In N.Y.C. Sam wrote instructions for Isabel V. Lyon to reply to Rev. Dr. Henry Blanchard in Portland, Maine—thank him for confirming statements made in a letter seven years before by Rev. Mr. Wiggin when Clemens was in England; he’d lost Wiggin’s letter long before [MTP].

Henry Darracott Allison wrote from Dublin, N.H. to Miss Lyon. “Your favor of the 6th, received. I have been to the house and got the hat, livery &c. and the bag from Mr. Carey and have to-day shipped them in one box, all together to Miss Jean Clemens, Katonah, New York, care of Dr. Sharp.” [MTP].

 

Laura M. Dake (Laura Wright), Sam’s old sweetheart wrote to him:

My dear, old friend, this is just a line by way of remembrance. I keep pretty well in touch with you through your autobiography which I am enjoying very much. Your photos, also, have been enjoyed and much admired. They are so easy, and so natural, that one feels right there and waits to hear you speak.

      The protégé is making fine progress in his studies. I hear from him often, and I have such faith that he will climb to the topmost rung of the ladder. Money surely is the lever that moves the world! I could never wear diamonds or costly furs etc. etc with any comfort, because human souls, struggling to reach higher planes, would always be peering at me from behind them. “A socialist,” I hear you ask. Well, no—I think not, but a humanitarian.

      If you knew how grateful I am to you and how grateful the protégé is for the means of working to the end desired, without being harassed by the pinches of poverty or having to curtail his studies by working after hours—you would feel such a blessed peace stealing into your heart that you will understand better when you have found such a peace in Kingdom Come.

      I write, to night, chiefly to tell you of this gratitude, lest you think by my silence, that I have forgotten.

      I keep in fairly good health this winter and am able to work for which, of course, I am thankful.

      Some find day you ought to take a run out to California and go once more over your old stamping ground. I cannot say that San Diego offers any attractions, but Los Angeles is simply delightful. If I ever re-incarnate, I hope my karma will bring me to pass my days in Los Angeles. I sent you a line of congratulations on your birthday. I hope it reached you. I have quit counting mine, long ago. It does seem hard that old Noah and other chaps of those old days, should swing around the circle of centuries, as easily as we do decades. Oh, for the secret! Even though life be what Matalini called “a demnition grind,” it is better than the Unknown beyond, for me. What think you? Yet, hold! I do not expect you to tell me, my ancient friend, when every word of yours is 30 cts! Why it makes me dizzy to think of it. Why I would write, even in my sleep if I could get 30 cts a hundred.

      If ever I have a little cabin, and am “settled,” I hope you will send me a few of your books, with your name in your own hand writing. I will have a “Clemen’s Corner,” though ever so small. Not now, however, while I am on the wing, so to speak.

      I sometimes hear from your old friends, my cousins, the Youngbloods. They are well and fairly prosperous. Laura is a noble, generous woman, and the mainstay of the family. I enjoyed them very much during my brief visit last summer.

      But I must not let my gossiping quill meander over the pages too freely, so I will dip it for the last time, to night, and say Adios, and with innumerable good wishes for your continued health and contentment of mind.

      As always your friend now as in Auld Lang Syne / Laura M. D— / San Diego, Cal.

 

      P.S. I dip my goose quill once more to tell you that our embryonic physician has one more year after this to study, and then—the “bread cast upon the waters,” will surely return [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote at the top of the letter: “Have Paine write her—”

Amos F. Eno wrote a hand-delivered card to Sam inviting him to a meeting of the Neighborhood Club, Tuesday, Feb. 12^th at 9 p.m. [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the card, “Decline”

Ella Harrison wrote to Sam from Chattanooga, Tenn. on mourning stationery asking him to put his name on a teaspoon she was collecting [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote “No Ans.”

Joseph Abel Morris wrote from NYC to Sam, enclosing an address Morris gave on Oct. 25, 1906 at Columbia University for the presenting of the honorary LLD degree to Samuel Clemens [MTP]. Note: Lyon attached note: “Mr. Clemens had already seen this.”  Also: “an affront / no reply to make”

William Smith wrote from NYC to ask Sam’s support in “behalf of an innocent man, Patrick.” Smith referred to a reprint of “The Sunnyside” article, and asked Sam “to write a brief letter” after reading the article, “stating your opinion and address it to Judge W.M.K. Olcott, 170 Broadway” [MTP].

Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP.  

February 13 Wednesday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Gabrilowitsch lunched—C.C.—Atlantic City [MTP TS 27].

Edward H. MacDonald wrote to Sam from Charles Town, W. Va..  MacDonald had temporarily lived in Hannibal with an uncle in 1847 and recalled a fight over a ball game [MTP]. Note: On or after this day Lyon wrote on the letter for Sam: “I remember the name Angus McD very well—although couldn’t have known him as I was a small boy—I could not have been in the fight for the reason that I was not in Hannibal in the year 1847 after my father’s death in Mar.” [MTP].

 

T.C. Bigelow for Illustrated Press Bureau wrote to ask Sam for “really good photographs,” especially in his “cream-colored suit” [MTP].

 

George B. Harvey wrote a confirmation to Miss Lyon that he would be at the meeting of the Damned Human Race Club at 1:15 p.m.on Friday, Feb. 15 [MTP].

Mary Alice Haslehurst (Mrs. J.W. Haslehurst) wrote to Sam. “A coupe will call for you tomorrow—Thursday—at 2 p.m. to bring you to the Waldorf-Astoria, for the Keats-Shelley Matinee, and if you will kindly tell the coachman at what hour you desire to return home, —he will be at your disposition…” [MTP].

 

February 13-19 Tuesday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to Brander Matthews.

“This came to me some time ago & I didnt reply to it—it seemed to me a most strange thing if it was sent by a sane person. And now he has called in person—L[yon] has seen him appeasable wanted to know who selected him the King president pro tem—” [MTP]. Note: a draft.

February 14 Thursday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to daughter Jean in Katonah, N.Y.  

I am very very glad, Jean dear, that you are having such wholesome & healthful good times & are so contented & happy. Poor little Clara isn’t so fortunate; she has been laid up with a bad throat & hoarseness, but she went to Atlantic City yesterday & will soon be in shape again she thinks.

To-day I am to appear in public again, to my discomfort. I am weary of public appearances. But Mrs. Gilder asked me, & I wouldn’t refuse Dorothea’s mother any reasonable thing; I couldn’t. I am to read Shelley’s Skylark. I have never done anything of quite so serious a nature before, & would rather not be so serious this time—but I must obey orders.

My Autobiography has reached 400,000 words at last, & now I have no more solicitudes about it & can go slow & easy & take my time henceforth if I choose.

I knew the elder Park Benjamin quite well. This Mrs. B. is the wife of a son of his, I suppose.

Good-bye—with worlds of love— [MTP]. Note: Jeans’ incoming is not extant.

The New York Sun, Feb. 15, p. 6 reported on a reading Mark Twain gave at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel for the Keats-Shelley Memorial in Rome, Italy:  

 

Isabel Lyon’s journal: The King dined with Miss Herring at the Arts Club. Spencer Trask was there & he & the King compared Secretaries.

But first the King read Shelley’s “Skylark” at the Shelley-Keats Memorial at the Waldorf. He was bored to extinction & hated it all. I sat away back in the hall,— with Ashcroft sitting bedside me—& after the King’s reading, which came 3 rd—we all slipped away. These days I cannot stand a crowd of people. I must have solitude & a remoteness from herds, if I cannot have my own—my own?

The King said that he suffered trying to get those people onto the platform. He worked with Stedman,  the chairman, & agonized over it—& finally said that if they wouldn’t go on, he’d “be damned if he didn’t go on alone!” & he’d have done it too. Before he started he was chilly, so he took some whiskey & just enough to bring cobwebs to make him forget the things he planned to say, but he made a beautiful little speech mentioning Mrs. Clemens in it, before he read “The Skylark” & Browning’s “Memorabilia”. After the readings, Hopkinson Smith who was on the platform kept on talking while Mr. Stedman was addressing the audience, & the King said to him—“Will you shut up?” Smith looked at him saying with the look—“Do you mean that as an insult?” & the King’s look fired back, “Yes, that’s just what I do mean.” All this he told me as we rolled down Fifth Avenue in the cab. He was cross & irritated & hated it, & was glad to be through. He came in & called for Paine & billiards—but Paine was out, so the King went to bed until dressing for dinner-time came.  

After a cosy dinner a deux, AB & I came up to my study where we went through a lot of negatives & had an illuminating talk. He is going to California & out to see old companions of the King-Joe Goodman & Horace Bixby & Cal Higbie & Tabitha Greening & Laura Dake & others too, if he can find them, to glean from them memories of the King’s early life [MTP TS 27-29; Shelly mentioned in Gribben 640].

 

Gertrude Natkin sent Sam a valentine [MTP; not in MTAq].

February 15 Friday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Chinatown” [MTP TS 29].

I.P. Moore wrote from London, England to inquire if Sam was his first cousin, since Moore’s mother was a Clemens [MTP]. Note: After Feb. 15 Sam replied that he knew nothing about his family tree before his father, who was born in Virginia in 1799; genealogical sources give Aug. 11, 1798 in Campbell Co. Va for the birthdate of John Marshall Clemens. www.accsolinc.com/familyroots/RobertClements.pdf

H. Victor Rievenhardy wrote to Sam, behind $8 in his rent and wishing to paint Sam’s portrait to earn the money [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Mr. Clemens gave him $5. Col Harvey gave him $5.”

 

February 16 Saturday –Witter Bynner offered box seats to Clemens on Feb. 1 for an unspecified performance for this day. No record was found of Sam’s attendance to a performance for this day or evening. Lyon made no entry in her journal for Feb. 16, so it is unlikely Sam took Bynner up on his offer.

Laura M. Dake (Laura Wright) wrote to Sam that she as arranging to move “into the heart of Yosemite,” where she could obtain a teaching job [MTP]. Note: in a letter to A.B. Paine this date, she wrote, “I have always regarded him [Sam] as one of the noblest and best of men.”

Arthur E. Wood wrote on University Club, Baltimore stationery to Sam, grateful for the work done on CS [MTP].

February 17 Sunday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “A dear & lazy day. The dear King has been fussing a lot in these days over the auto instalments, but now he has nearly enough for the full year” [MTP TS 29].

Mrs. M.F. Cunningham wrote from Salt Lake City to Sam, thanking him for the pleasure his stories had given her and her son [MTP].

February 18 Monday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Thompson brought 2 beautiful pictures, & I think the King will buy the moonlight one” [MTP TS 29]. Note: on Mar. 12 Frederic L. Thompson wrote to thank Clemens for buying two of his paintings. See the strange case of Thompson-Gifford. Thompson was a goldsmith who “suddenly and inexplicably seized with an impulse to sketch and paint pictures”:

http://www.aspsi.org/feat/life_after/tymn/a089mt-e-Thompson-Gifford_Case.php

 

Helen M. King wrote from Brooklyn, NY to Sam. “Your statement about charity and Christian Science I wish to refute” [MTP]. Note: After Feb. 18 Sam wrote on King’s letter, perhaps as instructions to Lyon. “Wrote the book 5 years ago at a time when the church gave nothing in charity & my neighbor an ardent C.S.ist told me the same thing. If they have improved since then I am glad of it, & the book will help them to improve still farther” [MTP].

 

Henry T. Elmore to Sam wrote on Fuller-Holway Co. Grocers, letterhead, Augusta, Maine, asking for Clara Clemens’ present business address. Henry was May Elmore’s brother and they knew that Clara was soon coming to Portland and Lewiston and wished to meet up with her. Sam might telegraph her address [MTP].

Helen Keller wrote to Sam.

My dear Mr. Clemens: / I have had many a sharp twinge of self-reproach at the thought of not writing to you all these weeks. But correspondence has been almost out of the question for me until now. On our return from New York the first thing I did was to arm and equip myself for a fight against bronchitis. The attack was slight, but persevering. When it finally ceased, my teacher was taken very ill, and I was filled with trouble and anxiety, as she suffered greatly. But she is now recovering, and I begin to see daylight through a mist of happy tears.

      I shall always, always  remember the evening we spent with you, and had you all to ourselves for two precious hours! I think sometimes that there is nothing in the world so precious as a beautiful memory. I have many of these memories to gladden the dull days that come to all of us. They return to me often as I sit apart. While others chat and gossip, I am in the midst of the throbbing, odorous woods. The range and the sweep of the winds are mine, and the world and my soul are lit with the sun. My heart thrills with a strange joy when I recall the first time that I read Lanier’s Hymn of the Marshes of Glynn. Very near this cherished memory is that of the evening we spent with you. How it all comes back—the beautiful room, the music that stole into my soul through my finger-tips, the pleasant company and he of the magic gift, the dispenser of happiness to every one who has heard him speak or read his books. The thoughts that I have treasured of that evening are sprinkled with the jewel-dust of your wit, and can never fade or grow less brilliant. I wish I could sit beside you oftener. For there is something about you so vital and simple and nothing-withholding that somehow darkness and silence seem no longer to be. I seem to know without word or look what you are talking about, be it the extremest nonsense or the deepest wisdom or a flash of indignation against some wrong, or pleasure over an honest, interesting letter like the one you read from the young Englishwoman. Heaven preserve you to us long; for there shall not be another like you.

      It is good once in a while to plunge into the whirl and gaiety and brilliancy of New York life. I love fun and gaiety, I cannot help it, and I do not want to help it either. But it was sweet to get back to the sunny quiet of our home in Wrentham.

      I returned well pleased and encouraged about the cause of the blind. I know there are still obstacles to be overcome, friends of the sightless to be convinced that nothing to do but sit in the dark all day long and fritter away one’s energies in useless thinking is worse than blindness. All efforts to help the world along toward betterment seem to pass through three stages: first, vehement denial that help is needed, second, the declaration that the Lord God hath made it so, and it is contrary to religion to change it, third, that it is just what we always thought. I am sure that we shall get to the last stage if we persevere. Only it is tiresome waiting, one would like to skip one stage or two. But I think I see the day approaching when there shall be no more needless dark hours for the blind. The silver lining has been turned for them, and for me the darkest cloud is breaking into a thousand gleams of hope.

      Please remember us kindly to Miss Lyon, and pray, do not forget the picture you promised my teacher, or you may lose some of that beautiful halo one of these fine mornings.

      With affectionate messages from us all …[MTP]. Note: Helen’s letters are always typed with her signature in her own hand, a block printed style. At the top of the letter in Sam’s own hand, but not likely related to this letter: “Add Ned Wakeman’s Englishwoman’s & Susy’s & Western Girls?”

Mally Graham Coatsworth Lord wrote from NYC to Sam. “You ARE a DEAR to say you’ll come and be adored on Friday from four thirty to six. / And then I want you to stay for dinner and decorate the family meal. You can devour the dinner and we will devour you” [MTP].

George E. Sullivan wrote to ask Sam who was the party that dramatized “Colonel Sellers” with John T. Raymond years ago; he wished to read a copy of the play [MTP]. Note: On or after Feb. 18 Sam wrote on Sullivan’s letter: “should like to read a copy of it myself—but so far as I know there is no copy of it in existence. The dramatization was made by Densmore of San Francisco. He was editor of the “Golden Era” in those days I think” Gilbert S. Densmore adapted GA to a play in 1874; see May, early and other entries in Vol. I.  

February 19 Tuesday – Clara Clemens left for another concert tour, with stops of: North Adams, Elmira, Hartford, Bangor, and Utica. She would return on Mar. 25 [Hill 165, 170; IVL TS 30].

Gallantz J. Bishop wrote from NYC to invite Sam to a banquet of the New Club of America, Hotel St. Regis, Mar. 14, and hoped Sam would “favor” them with “a few comments” [MTP].

Nikolai V. Chaikovsky wrote to Sam, enclosing a draft petition he wished Sam would sign, a protest to be brought before the US Congress by the Friends of Russian Freedom [MTP]. Note: Petition is in the file.

Robert Fulton Cutting, Edward T. Devine, David H. Evans, et al wrote to invite Sam “to an informal meeting Thursday afternoon, February 21, at 4:30 pm. In the rooms of the New York School of Philanthropy….Mr. Nicholas Shishkoff of Samara, Russia…will be present” [MTP].

George B. Harvey wrote to Sam. “About a dozen of us are going to partake of food and drink with Mr. Howells on his birthday, March 1st, at the Metropolitan Club, at seven thirty. This is an invitation to you to grace the occasion with your presence” [MTP].

Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP.  

February 20 Wednesday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam replied to the Feb. 19 of Robert Fulton Cutting and Others. Declining an invitation sent on Feb. 19: “I do not go out this winter when I can avoid it” [MTP].

Sam also replied to the Jan. 17 from George Iles.

Goldwin Smith understands a part of the matter, but he has no clear & limpid understanding of even that fraction. When Smith understands a thing, he is eminently competent to state it in clear & definite terms; when he doesn’t understand a thing, he is like anybody else in the world, he makes a wordy fog of it—just as he has done in this instance.

I thank you very much for sending me the paragraph [MTP].

 

Note: Goldwin Smith (1823-1910), British-Canadian historian and journalist; after 1868 a professor at Cornell; in 1871 he moved to Toronto and edited Canadian Monthly, then founded the Week and the Bystander. It is likely that the paragraph Iles sent was from one of these latter publications.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Pamela Smith has been here for luncheon. Pam—with her drawings (& her clothes, such queer dear clothes)—but her drawings! This morning I told the King that she was going to bring drawings & he said “That is dreadful—I hate drawings!” But Pam’s drawings kept him riveted so he never came in to luncheon at all, and I nearly wept at the sight of him down at the end of the library, bending over those beautiful creatures of her fancy. After dinner she sat on the floor & recited some of her Anancy [sic] stories. She says she will come again, for I played some for her & she made a sketch to go with the Schubert Impromptu. Aunt Lou came in this morning full of news of the Good Spring people. She was dressed in very simple black & her hair is like a wonderful silver halo [MTP TS 30]. Pamela Colman Smith, nicknamed “Pixie” (1878-1951), artist, illustrator and writer, best known for designing the Waite-Smith tarot cards. She worked with the Lyceum Theatre group led by Ellen Terry, Henry Irving, and Bram Stoker. Among her several books was Annancy Stories (1902). Not in Gribben. Aunt Lou is not further identified.

Mrs. Delle W. Perry wrote from Ann Arbor, Mich. to remark on Sam’s white suit and praise his writings [MTP]. Note: After Feb. 20 Sam replied on Perry’s letter: “merely say “to be likened to be likened to the Apollo Belvedere is compensation & healing, & comes at a fortunate time when another friend of mine—M^r. Howells—who hasn’t any white clothes & therefore is envious & malicious, has been calling me a whited sepulcher” [MTP]. Note: Apollo Belvedere, also called the Pythian Apollo, was a classical marble Sculpture by Leochares, ca. 350-325 B.C.; Mrs. Perry is not further identified.

Gertrude Natkin wrote to Sam.

Although this is very late, to thank you for your sweet New Year greeting and also wish you a Happy New Year, I know that you will forgive me after I tell the reason of this delay.

A very sad misfortune has occurred in our family which naturally has upset us all. My sister (who you met and) who was with us at the Majestic Theatre on that memorable afternoon died. I wanted to write sooner but I had not the heart to write on such a sad occasion and thought I would wait until I became more reconciled to this loss.

My mother has not been well since this misfortune happened and is now in Lakewood but I hope she will come back in better health.

Now I know that you will accept my greetings for this New Year even though it is late / Your little Marjorie [MTP].

Albert Bigelow Paine wrote from NYC to Sam:

To S.L. Clemens, Billiard Champion and Adviser.

Pupils taken, and Impoverished.

Our motto: It is easier to give advice than to receive it; also, less expensive.

To two errors in judgement; @ .50 each,…………………….$1.00

 [MTP: Cushman]. Sam wrote on the faded letter: “Received, as the presence of the money herewith is evidence. / SL. Clemens”

Leslie W. Quirk, editor of The Editor, NYC sent a list of 6 questions to Sam advising the young story writer [MTP].

February 21 Thursday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to daughter Jean in Katonah, N.Y.  

Jean dear, Ashcroft’s people have added another spiral-pin device: it is to secure jewels in the hair without having to wire them in, as at present. The next time Anna comes down, I want her to remember to ask us for one of these & carry it to you.

I have bought 2 oil paintings for the Redding house for $250—charming pictures, by an elderly artist who has had no art-instruction, but lends the use of his hands to a dead artist who is residing in the spirit world. This gentle & simple-hearted old proxy has been a silversmith all his life until lately, but you can see by his pictures that he is a born poet—or maybe it’s the dead artist (Swayne Gifford) that is the poet.

Clara is away—warbling around the country. There is a small portrait of her in Harper’s Weekly.

I’m to go out to dinner this evening—in white clothes, by request. To-morrow I go to a lady’s-tea at Prof. Lord’s of Columbia—in white clothes, by request of Mrs. Lord.

Pamela Smith lunched here yesterday, & sat on the floor & told a lot of delicious Jamaican folk-lore tales in a lovely negro dialect. She is in several ways a genius, of high order.

This is only a note to say I love you dearly & am sending hugs & kisses [MTP].

 

Note: Anna Sterritt, Jean’s nurse. Robert Swain Gifford (1840-1905), landscape painter who focused on New England landscapes. The elder artist who claimed to channel Gifford is not known. Herbert Gardiner Lord (1849-1930), Presbyterian minister (1878-1895); professor of philosophy at Columbia (1900-1922). Undergraduates more than once voted Lord their favorite professor. Mrs. Mally Graham Coatsworth Lord (1861-1934). The Lords had a summer house in York Harbor, Maine [NY Times, Mar. 13, 1930, p. 21; June 25, 1934, p. 15]. Pamela “Pixie” Smith.

Sam also wrote per Isabel Lyon to George B. Harvey: “There will be a quorum of the Human Race there on the 1^st—so it would be made a Human Race occasion by usurpation” [MTP]. Note: Sam’s “God Damned Human Race Club” which never managed to meet.

Sam also wrote to John Y.W. MacAlister, enclosing some material taken from his Autobiographical dictation “pile” narrating his first visit to England. MacAlister was an editor besides being Sam’s partner in the Plasmon efforts.

 

This has been delayed in many ways; but I will have Miss Lyon hurry it to the mail at once.

Use it—or part of it—or none of it—just as you please. There has been no time at my disposal in which to write something special, so I have taken this out of my vast pile of autobiographical MS. It will appear after my death, along with the rest of my Memoires. It lacks smoothness in spots, but I seldom apply an after-polish, for dictated things are talk, & talk is all the better & all the more natural when it stumbles a little here & there [MTP]. Note: the piece Sam sent included his 1872 train trip in England where he observed a man reading IA who did not smile; then his first evening at the Savage Club and misplacing some five-pound notes which the servant later found in his tail-coat pocket.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: The King dined at the Robt. Colliers’ & met there Mrs. Harry Payne Whitney & Mrs. Astor & an artist & his wife. He can’t remember the artist’s name. The King never can remember names. Mrs. Collier asked him to wear his white clothes, & the King believing it would be a tiny dinner did so, & felt uncomfortable for a while—but he got over it.

Tonight AB & I spent alone with Chopin funeral march & the Cavaleria Rusticana & then a great deal of wonderful talk. How well I know him now. The King gave me his Christian Science book this morning with a maxim in it—Oh, the King! [MTP TS 30-31].

Emil Leopold Boas (1854-1912), head of the Hamburg-American Line wrote to Sam, advertising trips south with various ships [MTP].

Mrs. Louie P. Capper wrote from Aberdeen, New Brunswick to ask Sam where she might find another copy of the “Mark Twain’s Birthday Book.” She enclosed a stamped envelope [MTP]. Note: “Answd. Mch. 11”; Lyon replied for Sam on Capper’s letter: “Has seen the book in England once—but does not know the publisher. Should imagine it might be Chatto & Windus as much of the matter is copyr”. Sam also wrote he’d seen the book once in England so referred her to Chatto & Windus.

John B. Downing (Major “Alligator” Jack Downing) wrote from Daytona, Fla. to Sam.

Dear Sir:—On coming to our winter home here from Middleport Ohio, we remained in St. Louis a few days to see old friends and the many changes. I soon learned that the only star gazers left to make a long crossing in the fog was  yourself, Horace Bixby and the writer. This day am in receipt of the Daily Globe Democrat containing an obituary of my old friend Capt John N Bofinger the first man for whom I turned a wheel from St Louis to New Orleans, and I think he was Capt of the Edward J Gay with Bart Bowen and Squire Bill pilots when you, Ben Thornburg, Thad Sederburg, Beck Jolly and myself went to Cairo to look for changes in the river. Now can you advise me the year we made that trip. Am writing some historical events for our Palmetto Club and require data. Again, should you at any time decide to leave New York during the cold weather and visit the most beautiful place in Florida, come here any time before the 1^st of April—we leave May 1^st—and advise me by letter or wire, and while we will not meet you with a Band Waggon at the Depot will give you a warm reception. The Palmetto Literary Club has a nice house built the past year and I think will seat 500, and I have no doubt of the happiness and profit you would receive from your many friends. Hoping to hear from you soon, subscribe myself, Yours very abundantly…[MTP].

William Dean Howells wrote to Sam.

I am at least out of bed, and so far on a par with that branch of the human race which is being tried for matricide, and other venial offences. But you will have to welcome that British Ambassador without me. Tell him we are not so bad as we paint ourselves—couldn’t be.

      It was good of you to come and see me, you fine old paranoic. I don’t know how you’ve escaped arrest up to this time. It shows you were always right about the inefficiency of of our detective system. Good bye, you whited sepulcher / Yours affectionately …[MTHL 2: 822-3].

 

February 22 Friday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote instructions and a draft for Isabel Lyon to use to reply to Laura M. Dake (Laura Wright), who had written on Feb. 12 and 16.

Idle as he seems to be he’s representing Satan & he always finds something for M^r. Clemens to turn his attention to, and wants to keep on his good side so has to attend to business

 

Put in the customary glads and sorrys

 

Glad the protege is progressing to her satisfaction—

Sorry that her health & circumstances are not what they would be if our Heavenly father really lived up to the character given him by an overcharitable & limitlessly stupid pulpit.

 

We mustn’t go too deep—we must stop on the verge—but have to say something about God’s inhumanity to man.

 

When she’s settled she must say so & then we’ll send her some books [MTP]. Note: David “Wattie” Bowser had been Laura’s “protégé” student back in 1882, and she may have reported his progress as a man.

Sam also wrote to George B. Harvey about a paper his nephew, Samuel E. Moffett had written for the NAR. Sam thought it good but realized Harvey was “the final court.” He was embarrassed to ask Thomas Bailey Aldrich to look at the paper. Would Harvey ask Aldrich or show it to David A. Munro? [MTP].

Sam also wrote to an unidentified person. “If I’ve become a Whitmanite I’m sorry—I never read 40 lines of him in my life—but I contributed $200 toward building a cottage for the old man to die in.” On the flip side Isabel Lyon wrote: “A letter came from a woman who had sent him Extracts from Whitman but he never rec’d it” [MTP].  

Hill has Sam entertaining (John) Gutzon de la Mothe Borglum (1867-1941), American artist and sculptor on this day. Borglum was most famous for the Stone Mountain and Mt. Rushmore projects [164]. Fatout lists a ladies tea Sam attended at Columbia University, where he made a few remarks (likely an error) [676]. Lyon makes no mention of the tea in her journal but does mention Borgulm’s visit. See her entry below.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Gutzon Borglum came in to see the King this afternoon & when we spoke of him at dinner the King said that he removed only that part of the statues on St. John’s Cathedral that could not be used, & that he didn’t destroy anything. He has sent 2 photographs of a statue of John Mackay & one of a statue of Ruskin, that are fine.

This morning at eight o’clock AB went away & the King is so lonely without him that he has gone to bed. AB’s as bad at spoiling me as Stiattesi ever was, he gives me books & books, forever [MTP TS 31].

 

Albert Bigelow Paine left for the West to gather biographical information on Clemens [Hill 165]. Note: Paine puts his departure to March, 1907. He would interview John Briggs, Joe Goodman, Steve Gillis, and Horace Bixby [MTB 1376].

Edward Livingston Hunt, M.D. wrote from NYC to Miss Lyon. “I thought it would interest and please Mr. Clemens to know that Miss Jean, whom I saw to-day, had in the last three weeks suffered from only one slight attack and that one of the petit mal type” [MTP].

The Columbia (Mo.) Statesman ran a brief, anonymous item, “Mark Twain’s Snow-White Garb.” Tenney: “…describing the broadcloth coat (and broadcloth-covered buttons), and white silk lapels and lining and zig-zag embroidery around the edges; there is white-silk braid down the outside seams of the trousers” [Tenney: “A Reference Guide Second Annual Supplement,” American Literary Realism, Autumn 1978 p. 174-5].

 

February 23 Saturday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Joan of Arc” [MTP TS 31].

George J. Helmer, the family’s NY osteopath, wrote to ask Sam for his continued support “just by speaking the word” for the bill on Osteopathy in Albany. On this day Sam replied on Helmer’s letter: “gave 2 or 3 days of time without object[.] Did for the cause once what wouldn’t have done for any other cause for 10000—Didn’t do any good & doesn’t care to repeat that experience” [MTP].

 

Arthur E. Bullard for Friends of Russian Freedom wrote to Sam, enclosing tickets for the March 4 Carnegie Hall program [MTP].

Harriet E. Whitmore wrote to Sam, enclosing her letter to Dr. Phelps of Yale, who spoke on Keats at the recent Saturday Morning Club. She refers to a letter from Sam she gave to Phelps about the library’s rejection of Eve’s Diary [MTP]. Note: Lyon: “She has carried out my intentions I am very much oblighed to her”

Lizzie E. Wooster wrote on Wooster & Co. School Book Publishers letterhead, Chicago. She asked for photo she might include in a series of school readers [MTP].

The New York Times, p. 14, “Ernest H. Crosby Memorial” announced a memorial meeting of the Social Reform Club in the Cooper Union on Mar. 7 in the evening, and listed Mark Twain and William Dean Howells among several others in charge of the meeting [MTP].

The Times also interviewed Twain on the occasion of Longfellow’s centenary birthday. The article ran the next day, Feb. 24, “Reminiscences of Longfellow and Others” [Fatout MT Speaking 543]. Note: Sam’s acquaintance with Longfellow was slim, but he vividly remembered the fiasco of his burlesque at the 1877 Whittier dinner.

February 24 Sunday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to daughter Clara, now at the Hotel Worthy in Springfield, Mass. on a singing tour.  

I shall watch with interest for your code-signals, Clärchen dear, & shall hope that they will bring good news from my self-banished exile.

I like Mr. Wark & his honest blue eyes ever so much. I think you are fortunate to be in his guardianship.

To-day I have received the golden-wedding cards of the Murat Halsteads. They had been married 21 years when we crossed with them & the Bayard Taylors in the Holsatia in 1878. However, you were only 4 years old & will not remember them.

This is a deserted house—nobody in it but me. I wandered into this parlor of yours, & I thought I would drop you a line from your desk. The Colonel [Harvey] was to come up & play billiards, but he has gotten mislaid, I reckon.

I am going to Candace Wheeler’s on the 28^th. In fact I go out very frequently & exhibit my clothes. Howells has dubbed me the Whited Sepulchre.

Only one person asked after me! Oh, well, I’ll send you Candace Wheeler’s letter & take some of the self-complacency out of you.

Take good—good—good care of yourself, precious Ashcat [MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Rogers to dinner. Drake Brass Collection” [MTP TS 31]. Note: published in 1907, was a booklet, The Notable Collection of Brass and Copper, by A.W. Drake, American Art Galleries, Madison Square South, NYC. Alexander Wilson Drake (1843-1916), artist, collector, and critic, whose large collection sold at auction in 1913. A sale of lesser import was held on Feb. 27; see Lyon’s entry.

William Laffan Mackay wrote to Sam. “Dear Mark: / You might not see the Cosmopolitan, so I tear this out and send it to you. Coming from an Earl you must feel it a rebuke. / Read about the island—good big island too—in the S. Pacific; and the rum epidemic. Curious the reticence of the Scotch earls; no name for his island, no name for the vigorous ailment, no name for the city and none for the steamer. Can an Earl lie?” [MTP]. Note: Mackay referred to “The Truth About Christian Science” by the Seventh Earl of Dunmore (Charles Adolphus Murray 1841-1907) in the Mar. 1907 Vol. 42 of Cosmopolitan, p. 541-44. The heading states: “With his family he is a firm believer in the principles of Christian Science…He has been most influential in the spread of Christian Science throughout Great Britain…”  Twain is not mentioned in the article.

Sam attended another tea at Mally Graham Coatsworth Lord’s (Mrs. Herbert Gardiner Lord), helping her “receive 200 women & girls.” Before the event he fell on the ice and tore his white pants and had to stand with his “back to the wall”during the reception [Feb. 25 to Jean]. Or did he? [Mar. 5 to Jean].

February 25 Monday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to daughter Jean in Katonah, N.Y.  

Your news about yourself in your letter of yesterday is exceedingly welcome, & tallies with what Anna said when she was here the other day.

Exodus the Shulamite never said a truer thing than when he said—“Wonders will never cease.” Last week Alice Day’s old tomcat Ben Hur had kittens—one basketful on a Saturday & another one next day; the very same day a sunspot twice the size of the United States appeared far away up in the remotest nor’west corner of the great disk & was at first mistaken for a fly; right on top of that came Washington’s birthday, when nobody was expecting it; & right on top of that, before you could get your breath, Tuesday fell on a Saturday, & then everybody was appalled & awe-stricken, & said Well I’m dam’d, & turned over a new leaf. If these marvels had happened in Caesar’s time it would have meant nothing less than the caving-in of the Universe; but in our late day it only meant that I was to fall on the ice yesterday & rupture my white pants & have to stand an hour with my back to the wall at Mrs. Professor Lord’s & help her receive 200 women & girls. I think it is wonderful, the way Nature can foretell events that way. It appears, now, that Ben Hur is booked for another basketful: I wonder what that forecasts? Heaven knows, we live in parlous times.

Jean, I did not overstate that shell-fragment incident because it didn’t need it: I perfectly understood what Lady Innes (who was not writing literature, but only a diary) had supposed she was saying.

D^r. Hunt gives us a splendid report of your health in a letter to Miss Lyon. It is good news indeed.

I’m going to the Joan of Arc matinèe now, but not in white [MTP]. Note: in his Mar. 5 to Jean he wrote that he didn’t fall on the ice but only said he did. Lady Sarah Innes (Hodges) (1737-1770), subject of a portrait by Gainsborough.

Isabel V. Lyon wrote for Sam to Candace Wheeler: “Mr. Clemens expects to be there. Thank her for her most dear & welcome letter” [MTP]. Note: Sam had written daughter Clara that he was going to Candace Wheeler’s on Feb. 28.

Lyon also wrote for Sam to Harriet E. Whitmore, inviting the Whitmores to visit the following week, Monday the 4^th or “any time during the week & stay …a few days” [MTP]. Note: they stayed three days in March.

On Feb. 25 or 26 Sam replied to the Feb. 21 invitation from Emil Leopold Boas, head of the Hamburg-American Line in America. “It is very enticing but duty requires me to stay here, therwise I would be one of your passengers./ With pleasant remembrance of that long-ago dinner….” [MTP]. Note: the dinner has not been dated.

Theodore E. Busfield pastor, First Congregational Church, N. Adams, Mass. wrote to Sam. “The Ladies’ Aid Society of my church has been fortunate enough to arrange with your daughter for her appearance here next Monday evening in a concert recital, and there is a very general desire to have you…introduce her” [MTP]. Note: Lyon: “No Ans”

Effie F. Cutting (Mrs. C.H. Cutting) wrote from N. Adams, Mass. to urge Sam to come to the Monday evening concert at which Clara would perform [MTP].

Albert B. Paine wrote to Miss Lyon: “I am glad the King said that—gladder still that he can think it. His good opinion is very precious to me. I must try to deserve it” [MTP].

In Sam’s A.D. he quoted the N.Y. Sun’s account of “three or four days ago” about the shipwreck of the Berlin [Gribben 505].  

February 25-28 Thursday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam replied to the Feb. 21 from John B. Downing, (“Alligator Jack”).

The year must have been 1860 I think, though it could have been the fall or winter of ’59. In June ’58 Bart Bowen was Captain of the A. T. Lacey; for I went from New Orleans to Memphis with him to find & care for my brother who had fallen a victim to the explosion of the Pennsylvania’s boilers. I was a cub at the time. I could not have risen to the dignity of going down to look at the river in such aristocratic company as that of licensed pilots earlier than a year later, for I would have to be of the elect myself in order to attain to that distinction. I was under the impression that I never saw Bart Bowen in life after he disembarked me at Memphis. I was also under the impression that he never stood a pilot’s watch after he stepped down a grade & became captain. Do not let this language mislead you. I never lost any part of my respect & affection for him on account of that of retrogression; no, he was a high-minded, large-hearted man, & I hold him in undiminished honor to this day. I seem to remember the river-inspection trip you speak of, & that the boat was the Edward J. Gay; but it is very, very dim & uncertain—as vague & shadowy as are the long-vanished faces that looked out over the breast-board, & whose blurred features you have called up out of the grave of my memory.

I thank you cordially for your most kind invitation, but I do not think I shall ever make another land journey, except by request of the Court & the Sheriff [MTP]. Note: See Aug. 15, 1881 and Aug. 18? 1881 entries for information on Downing.

February 26 Tuesday – With Clara and Paine gone, the house was rather empty and Isabel Lyon was unable to find social contacts for him. Isabel Lyon’s journal:

 

This is too dreadful, this loneliness for the King. The evil month of March is coming galloping along, when he is usually tried beyond some kind of endurance; if it isn’t physical, it is social, & I’m afraid for him. I telephone in every direction to get hold of people to come in for billiards, but no one is to be reached. Mr. Dooley is south, Col. Harvey is busy, or skittish, Dr. Rice is busy, the Coes are in Florida, the Benjamins in Lake Placid, the Broughtons en route for some southern place, & the rest of the world can’t play. When I go to his room to tell him that these people are all otherwise employed, he says “It doesn’t matter—” but it does matter; it matters very much indeed; and AB’s going away to California just now is either devil’s work or angel’s [MTP TS 31-32]. Note: Hill and other sources quote this but change the “&” signs to “and”s.

 

Cornelius Vanderbilt for the Fulton Monument wrote to Sam quoting the resolution to be presented to the legislature for a piece of land near Columbia University on the East River [MTP]. Note: After Feb. 26 Sam replied and declined to be appointed a member of the Legislative Committee [MTP].

Arthur Benjamin wrote from Spokane, Wash. to Sam, enclosing a clipping of criticism from a Seattle paper, and praising the works of Mark Twain [MTP]. Note: “Thank him & say that the criticisms do not distress me because I never read them—& so haven’t read the clipping”. Likely about CS.

 

Frederick A. Duneka wrote to Sam, enclosing the original copy of “An Extract from Captain Stormfield’s Visit to Heaven”, “in compliance with your request” [MTP].

In Sam’s A.D. he again quoted another Sun article about about the Berlin shipwreck [Gribben 505].  

February 27 Wednesday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Drake sale—Tuxedo” [MTP TS 32].

Emil Leopold Boas of the Hamburg-American Line wrote to Sam. “It is too bad. Can you not shirk your duty for once? It would give me great pleasure to have you as one of our guests on one of those trips. / With kind regards…” [MTP]. Note: Sam replied Feb. 28.

Arthur E. Bullard for Friends of Russian Freedom wrote to Sam enclosing a revised copy of the petition Sam had agreed to [MTP].

Sheppard Friedman for the NY Evening Journal wrote to Sam. “I thought it might be of interest to you to know that you are not the only ‘Mark Twain.’ There is another.” He referred to a Mexican mine by that name he’d invested in. “The particular claim…is said to be rich in gold, copper and silver as the original of its name is in wit, humor and pathos….You may not consider this high-handed procedure fair to you. Any way, ‘it suits Tom Sawyer.’ Will you let us know if it suits you?” [MTP].

William Dean Howells wrote to Sam.

I have been trying, all through my fortnight of grippe, to give my friend Mr. Fowler an introduction to you. He wants to paint your portrait and though he cannot hope, on account of the subject, to make as good a picture from you as he made from me, he will make one of the best possible. He is a good painter and a good fellow. Yours ever … [MTHL 2: 823].

 

George E. Sullivan for the Carroll Institute, Wash. D.C. wrote to Sam asking to borrow the MS for a stage production of “Colonel Sellers” [MTP]. Note: Sam had previously written that no MS existed that he knew of.

 

In Sam’s A.D. he quoted several Sun articles about William Whitely [Gribben 505].  

 

February 28 Thursday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam replied to the Feb. 27 from Emil Leopold Boas. “No, I should not know how to go about it. I once tried to shirk a duty, 25 years ago, & to this day I still suffer agonies of remorse every time I think of it” [MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “AB home. Candace Wheeler – Mrs. Stuart. Drake Sale” [MTP TS 32].

Isabel V. Lyon wrote for Sam to George Griswold, real estate agent. The house Griswold had shown to Lyon and the description she’d given of it to Sam, would “meet his requirements” but he did “not care to pay over fifteen hundred dollars for a house for the Season—May 1^st to Nov. 1^st, and to ask if you will make that offer to the owners of the place” [MTP].

Sam also wrote instructions to Isabel Lyon to thank Georgiana R. Laffan (Mrs. William Mackay Laffan) for the Christian Science article, and to ask the Laffans for “dinner or luncheon” [MTP].

Archer H. Barber wrote on Berkshire Club stationery, N. Adams, Mass. to urge Sam to accompany Clara when she gave her concert there on Monday evening next. He enclosed a ticket to use the club [MTP].

Redmond S. Cole, editor-in-chief of The Independent, published by the students of the Missouri University wrote to Sam. “The St. Louis Post-Dispatch for Feb. 25, 1907 has in it a statement to the effect that you, along with Senator Thomas H. Benton and General Frank P. Blair, favor the pronunciation of Missouri as though it were spelled Mizzoura.” Could he confirm? [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote for Sam: “Yes the Post-Dispatch was correct & I still adhere.”  

 

Samuel S. McClure wrote to Sam. “I expect in time to publish in McClure’s Magazine a thorough and clear investigation of osteopathy….unless osteopathy is legalized by the legislature…it will be impossible to practice it in this State….Therefore, I want you to give me a word about osteopathy. I am sure that the Messrs. Harpers will not care to publish what you write about it”  [MTP]. Note: Lyon for Sam: “For various reasons (& indignations) the subject does not interest me”. Osteopathy had lost its appeal to Clemens by this time.

Jennie Pomerene for the Women’s College Club (NY) wrote to invite Sam to sit in a box with Dr. James Monroe Taylor, Vassar President, General Nelson Appleton Miles, General James Grant Wilson, ex-Ambassador Joseph Hodges Choate, and Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, President of Columbia University—at their matinee benefit Tuesday, Mar. 12, 2:30 p.m. [MTP].

Frank D. Stafford, Mayor of North Adams, Mass. wrote to Sam, having learned of Clara’s performance there the following week. He extended “a cordial invitation” for Sam to come [MTP].

Stony Wold Sanitorium sent Sam a program for an afternoon concert to benefit their farm fund, Waldorf-Astoria, Feb. 28 at 3:30 p.m. [MTP].

George E. Sullivan, Wash. D.C. attorney wrote to Sam. “I beg to thank you for your favor of the 26th inst. written by your secretary…If I am successful in securing a copy of the dramatization [Col.Sellers] I will be only too glad to let you read it.” He had written the day before from the Carroll Institute, that wanted to put on the dramatization [MTP].

Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP.  

March – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to Osip I. Feldman, hypnotist. “This bust is better than the original. At least it seems so to me; & it also seemed so at the time that the gifted artist made it 9 years ago in Vienna. I am glad to see it again [MTP: Levidova, Mark Twain: A Bibliographic Catalog of Russian Translations, etc.1974 p.133]. Note: At least two busts of Twain were made in Vienna: by Theresa Ries in Dec. 1897 and by Ernest Hegenbarth in Jan. 1898.

Sam also inscribed a copy of CS to Dr. Robert H. Halsey: “To Dr. Halsey with the Kindest regards of the Author. March 1907.” [MTP].  

Sam also inscribed a copy of CS to Franklin G. Whitmore: “To / Brer Whitmo’ / with the warmest regards of / Mark Twain / March/07.” [MTP].  

Current Literature ran an anonymous article, “Are We Standing at the Birth of a Great Religion?” p.321-4. Tenney: “In part a descriptive review of MT’s CS, but chiefly devoted to a broader treatment of the topic, giving background on Mary Baker Eddy and newspaper discussion of her work [42].

March – May? – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to Leonard Henslowe. “I am shut up with illness; but even if I were well I would not be interviewed by any but an enemy, & I am sure I do not take you for that” [MTP]. Note: Henslowe’s incoming not extant.

March 1 Friday – Fatout lists a speech for Sam at the William Dean Howells dinner [MT Speaking 676]. Note: On Feb. 19, George B. Harvey had invited Sam for a Mar. 1 birthday dinner for Howells at the Cosmopolitan Club. No record was found for the contents of Sam’s remarks. See Feb. 19 entry.  

Sam wrote “to any friend or acquaintance of mine” [MTP]. Note: not found at MTP.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Terrible headache” [MTP TS 32].

Brander Matthews wrote to Sam advising him that the Simplified Spelling Board would have its first meeting in April, a dinner at the Waldorf on April 3, Carnegie presiding [MTP]. Note: After Mar. 1 Sam wrote instructions to Lyon for a reply to the invitation: he wouldn’t go to any banquet, not even the Lotos, if he had to “feed through”; he didn’t accept night events but “should like to have the privilege of dropping there toward the end of the banquet”  [MTP].

Calvin H. Higbie wrote from Greenville, Calif. to Sam, noting that Paine and Isabel Lyon had written about Sam’s Autobiography, asking him to contribute all he knew about his dealings with Twain in the old days. A fire had destroyed his old MS and he asked if Sam could send his copy [MTP]. Note: Lyon answered on Mar. 11, sending Sam’s copy.

Jean Jewel Hotchkiss wrote from NYC to Sam, also sending in another letter articles written by her daughter on “New Metaphysics.” Her daughter Elizabeth Hotchkiss (Bessie) was born in Elmira and graduated from Elmira College, gaining a A.M. and a PhD. Could Sam advise as to how to make money from her articles? [MTP].

Robert Underwood Johnson for Century Magazine wrote to thank Sam for presenting to the Keats-Shelley Library “your volume from which you read the ‘Skylark’ and send you a duplicate so that your set may be complete” [MTP].

 

Hamilton W. Mabie sent Sam a bill for $5 for his dues in the American Academy of Arts and Letters for 1907 [MTP].

Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP.  

March 2 Saturday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote congratulations to Murat and Mary Banks Halstead on their 50^th wedding anniversary. The letter is not extant but was reported by the New York Times, Mar. 3, p. 7 “Halstead’s Golden Wedding.”

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “The Chorus Lady. King spent night at Rogers” [MTP TS 32]. Note: The Chorus Lady written by James Forbes and produced by Henry B. Harris, played at the Hackett Theatre, NYC.

 

Theodore Cornelius Bates wrote from Worcester, Mass. to Sam. “My daughter, Mrs Tryphosa Bates Batcheller, requests me to send to you a copy of her book—“Glimpses of Italian Court Life” but did not have Sam’s exact address [MTP]. Note: not in Gribben. Tryphosa Bates-Batcheller (1876-1952), socialite and concert singer: Glimpses of Italian court life; happy days in Italia adorata, Doubleday, Page & company, New York (1906).

 

J.F. Flanigan wrote to Sam from Hot Springs, Ark. For the 53^rd Convention of the International Typographical Union, acknowledging receipt of “your article intended for publication in the Souvenir of the …Convention.” [MTP].

J.W. of Golds Limited wrote from Birmingham, England to ask Sam if he had an objection to their selling a brand of American tobacco on the English market by the name of “Mark Twain” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: No objection to your proposition”

Murat Halstead sent Sam an engraved invitation for Saturday evening, Mar. 2, at 8 p.m. (likely sent earlier) [MTP]. Note: the Halsteads were celebrating their 50^th anniversary.

Ireland Advertising Agency sent a telegram to Sam. “Do you have your white suits washed with fels naptha soap in cold or lukewarm water reply paid” [MTP].

Harrie C. White wrote from Bennington, Vt. to Sam responding to a call from Lyon that they had run a photo in Harper’s Weekly without his permission. They denied doing so and upon investigating, discovered the publisher had put their credit under his photo in error [MTP].

March 3 Sunday – In the evening Sam dined with the Robert J. Collier’s and a “dozen other guests.” He wore his “full evening dress of white broadcloth” and called it “just stunning!” [Mar. 5 to Clara; Jean; IVL TS 32].

Stella B. Leighton wrote from NYC to ask Sam if he’d known the late Captain L.Y. Batchelor of steamboat days on the Mississippi [MTP]. After Mar. 3 Sam wrote information on Leighton’s letter for Lyon to reply: “The Clemens to whom she refers was without doubt an Ohio river pilot of that day whom I did not know & who was not related to me— Her father was a Capt—river etiquette would not have allowed him to waive rank & associate with a cub pilot which is what he was” [MTP].

Charles Forster wrote on Deutscher Liederkranz stationery, NYC to enclose season tickets for the 7^th Annual Billiards Tournament. He would have other tickets should Sam wish to bring a friend [MTP].

Clara Helms wrote from Egg Harbor City, NJ to Sam. Helms felt “so forlorn and forsaken…like blowing my brains, if I have any, out.” She wrote three little stories upon her return from Central American and could he look at them “and see if they are good enough for some New York paper?” “Will spit on this three times for good luck” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “Answerd. Mch 13, ‘07”

The Detroit News Tribune, the Washington Post, and other syndicated newspapers ran an interview with George B. Harvey about Mark Twain’s earnings. From the interview, Harvey observed:

Earns $1,000 in Three Hours.

“Until recently he wrote wholly by hand. Quite unexpectedly he found that he could dictate to a secretary. He was as pleased over the discovery as was President Roosevelt when he happened upon Mount Sinai, Moses, and the Ten Commandments. Now he lights a cigar after breakfast, sits down in his library and dictates for three hours on his autobiography. When he gets up he has earned $1,000. He is a great man, and will live longer than Thackeray, who was verbose, for one thing, and whose vision was confined to a single phase of social development in a single country. Twain is world-wide in his breadth of view. A man of critical judgment said not long since that he is the first novelist of the age. Whatever his rank may be, I am sure he will remain in our literature when brighter stars have lost some of their splendor. He is now free from the worry about money, and is at his best.”

March 4 Monday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to Emilie R. Rogers (Mrs. H.H. Rogers).

 

In packing my things in your house yesterday morning I inadvertently put in some articles that was laying around, I thinking about theology & not noticing, the way this family does in similar circumstances like these. Two books, Mr. Rogers brown slippers & a ham. I thought it was ourn it looks like one we used to have. I am very sorry it happened but it shant occur again & don’t you worry He will temper the wind to the shorn lammb—& I will send some of the things back anyway if there is some that wont keep.  / Yores in jesus [MTP: MTHHR 613 as only “summer 1906”]. Note: letter headed “Tuesday” but Mar. 4 was a Monday.

Isabel Lyon wrote for Sam to Harriet G. Whitmore.

 

M^r. Clemens doesn’t want to have you & M^r. Whitmore go away on Saturday. He says that from Thursday to Saturday is no kind of a visit & that he must have you stay until Monday, & you will do that, won’t you? For his blessed, blessed sake? You can sleep in separate beds, if your habit requires it; I’ll have them ready for you. And you can’t think how beautiful it will be for M^r. Clemens to have you two here. I’m not mentioning the secretary’s prejudiced views [MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Colliers & Russian meeting. Aladin.

Mr. Clemens & I dined with the Collier’s this evening for we were to take them up to the Russian meeting & the dinner was very lovely. Mr. Collier has 2 parrots & he took a young one out of the cage & put it on the dinner table, & the graceful (graceful because he was so awkward, the way he turned his toes,) thing walked around & upset the bon-bon dishes & Mr. Collier’s cup of coffee. At the meeting, much the best thing—the only best thing—was Aladin speech; it was a very great speech. His English, his gestures & his spirit were beautiful & moving & the audience shouted & waved its handkerchiefs at the strong young graceful creature. He spoke of the “crahdle of liberty” but there wasn’t anyone there who wished he had called it a cradle.

This afternoon the King & I drove up to hear the Weete-Mignon [sic] piano player. The King thought he’d like to have one at Tuxedo—but the price is too high, $1500, & they’re not entirely satisfactory [MTP TS 33]. Note: insert, the keyboardless reproducing piano by M. Welte & Sons.

Fred H. Clifford wrote to Sam from Bangor Maine about Clara’s concert there on Mar. 21. Would Sam come? [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “Tell Clara she has added a new burden to life / Quite a mistake Mr. Clemens was present only once.”

Frank B. Cole wrote to Sam from Tacoma, Wash.. He’d recently read Sam’s Autobiography in the NAR and had known Orion in Keokuk, whom he called “a very odd man” [MTP].

George Griswold, managing director of the Tuxedo Park, NY Assoc wrote to Isabel Lyon about the price of William Voss’ house rental there [MTP].

Katharine I. Harrison wrote to Sam enclosing a check for $350, preferred stock dividend from US Steel Corp. “Would it not be a good idea to put this in your own name, now that you have all the stock?” [MTP].

 

Walter W. Price for The Lambs Club, NYC wrote to invite Sam to a breakfast next Sunday at 1 p.m. Would Sam be the guest of honor? [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “Thank them as elaborately as want to / don’t go unless duty commands this year”

 

Cornelius Vanderbilt for the Robert Fulton Memorial Assoc. wrote to reassure Sam that William R. Stewart, Chairman of the Legislative Committee, would  not call upon Sam “for any active work” but would be pleased if Sam accompanied them to Albany [MTP].

 

Emma N. Warfield (Mrs. Edwin Warfield), wife of Maryland’s governor, wrote to Sam asking him to give a reading during his May visit. Dr. Henry Van Dyke had urged her to write Clemens directly [MTP].

 

March 5 Tuesday – In the morning Sam signed the lease for William Voss’ house in Tuxedo Park, N.Y. (about 30 miles from N.Y.C.) from May to October, 1907 [Mar. 5 to Jean; Hill 164]. The house was near Harry and Mary Rogers. Trombley writes that Sam carried on “an extended negotiation” with Voss reducing the rent from $2,400 to $1,500 [MTOW 133]. Note: the gated community was built in 1886 by Pierre Lorillard IV (1833-1901), the tobacco magnate, as a retreat for his rich New York friends. Bruce Price (1845-1903) was the architect for the gatehouse and the first thirteen houses. He had a daughter, Emily Post (1872-1960), who later became famous for her etiquette. The formal tuxedo was first worn at Tuxedo Park.

At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to daughter Clara at the Hotel Johnsonia, Fitchburg, Mass.  

Clara dear, it is very very splendid news, from Katy to Catherine last night. You are in the swing at last, dear child, & now you will GO. Remember, the audience most surely & powerfully stirred is the small audience, when you’ve learned all the deep arts of your trade. They rise in their might when you let them see that theirs are welcome faces & that you are not ashamed of them for being a small house. I’m not talking about your North Adams house, but only about small ones.

I dined with a lot of people at Robert Collier’s, Sunday night, & was conspicuous; for I wore full evening dress of white broadcloth—just stunning! To-day we took the Tuxedo house & signed the lease. So that’s off our minds.

By the occasional letter which drifts in I have come to be quite entirely satisfied with my Shelley Skylark of the other day, much as I was depressed about it at first. Privately I knew there wouldn’t be any other readings there that could come up to it, but I was troubled because I didn’t hear any one say so. It’s all right, though—plenty have said it since. More than that—I saw more than fifty women crying, but I had forgotten about that.

Sometime I must recite it & you play a soft accompaniment. I hope you will look in on us soon, dearheart—meantime I enclose hugs & kisses— [MTP].

Sam also wrote to daughter Jean.  

Oh dear me, child, what are you talking about? I didn’t fall on the ice, I only said I did. It is a great difference. You ought to be more careful about imputing to people’s statements interpretations which they cannot properly bear.

Apparently—as per telephone from Katy to Catherine right after the concert—Clara had an enthusiastic good success at North Adams last night.

I’ve told Miss Lyon to remind you & Clara that when you want any jewelry-tinkering done, to send it to us & we will get it well done for half the money you pay Tiffany’s clumsy blacksmiths to do it ignorantly & assfully.

This morning we took the Tuxedo [Park] house from May 1 to November 1, & signed the lease & sent the check.  

I am taking life easily & comfortably these days. I dictate only an hour or an hour & a half, mornings, & am busy the rest of the day at luncheons, matinès & private dinners—& get to bed by eleven.

Sunday Night I dined with a dozen other guests at Robert Collier’s & was “de queen o’ de Magazines,” as aunty Cord used to call your mother; for I was in full evening dress of white broadcloth, & was as white as a ghost. It is a very beautiful costume—and conspicuous.

Jerome sat opposite, at the table, & I asked him if he heard the stupendous dynamite explosion at 12 minutes after midnight. He said no—& added:

“Yesterday (Saturday) when I got up in the morning my wife asked me if the mighty explosion woke me at midnight, —& I said no.—which surprised her, for she said it was an awful noise & ought to have wakened a bronze image. We examined the morning paper—there was no explosion in it. So she had dreamed it. But the odd thing was, that she dreamed it exactly 24 hours before it actually happened.” It is a very striking incident, certainly.

Take care of yourself, dear, & don’t slip on the ice. I never do. With lots of love & kisses—  / Father [MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Tuxedo lease signed.* Billiard match.

There is a billiard match going on at the Liederkrantz Hall & after the King canvassed around among his friends & didn’t find anyone to go up with him, he took a cab & went alone to watch the game. We had music after dinner, & just as the King was slipping off to bed Mr. Loomis came & we went to the billiard room where they played—the King playing 3 strings to Mr. L’s one. The points just dripped out of the tip of the King’s cue; for the afternoon’s watching had given him ideas & he was just the game itself as he tripped like a spirit around the table.

* Mr. Voss, the owner of the house, dropped from $2400 to $1500 & so now we are going to spend the summer in Tuxedo [MTP TS 33-34].

In the evening Sam attended another billiards match in the concert hall of the Liederkranz Club, and his appearance was cause for the New York Times to report on p.7:

WON AT BILLIARDS BY SINGLE POINT

Gardner Beat Conklin in National Tournament Game 300 – 299.

MARK TWAIN WAS THERE

Night Winner Made Highest Average and Run of the Series at Liederkranz Club.

 

Dr. Leonidas L. Mial and Edward W. Gardner were the winners yesterday in the continuation of the National amateur billiard championship tournament at 14.2 balk line. Dr. Mial worked a reversal of form by defeating J. Ferdinand Poggenburg 300 points to 200 in the evening contest, while Gardner, the present champion, defeated Charles F. Conklin 300 to 299 at the matinee session. The former’s average was 13 1-23, while Gardner, in a long-drawn-out game, fell to 6 24-46.

Mark Twain, attired in a pearl-colored sack suit, witnessed the greater portion of the Gardner-Conklin match, in the concert hall of the Liederkranz Club, Fifty-eighth Street, near Park Avenue. He arrived while Gardner was at the table, and the cheering so disconcerted the champion that he missed an easy carrom. Mark Twain waved his hands and smilingly acknowledged the greeting. He watched the play, and at the good shots puffed furiously at a big black cigar.

 

J.E. Art for the New Life Society, Phila. wrote to solicit Sam to be on their “regular list of attractions,” in other words, speak on their circuit [MTP].

 

Miss Isabel Florence Hapgood (1851-1928), writer and translator of Russian texts, wrote to solicit Sam’s authograph in an album for hypnotist Dr. Osip Feldman [MTP].

John Mead Howells wrote to Lyon concerning details of the construction of the Redding house, and how payroll was to be made during construction [MTP].

George Mayr wrote from NYC to invite Sam to a private viewing of a painting by Jacob Isaackszoon van Ruysdael (c. 1628-1682) an Old Dutch Master landscape painter [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “Thank him while it’s not likely that can get the opportunity, should be glad to see it.” Card in the file shows Mayr as “Private Secretary to C. Oliver Iselin” 36 Wall St.

James A. Renwick wrote to receipt Sam for March rent, $291.67 [MTP].

Walter K. Williams wrote from Lincoln, Nebr. Sending a poem about dress fashion and “Dear old adolescent Mark Twain in ‘full dress’ made of white ducking / the humorist joking again” [MTP].

March 6 Wednesday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: Letter from Isabel F. Hapgood.

Miss Hapgood came this afternoon to bring a big album (belongs to Dr. Osip Feldman, a Russian) for the King to write in. The King cannot endure that woman & was so glad to have an excuse to stay in bed, but he wrote in the album, & put in one of the photos I made up in Dublin. She was prosy, but I found her interesting, for she has known so many find Russians. I was full of Russian coppers & brasses for I’d been around to my Armenian friend’s shop & found a lot of old pieces there at prices far lower than the prices of their terrible new things, so I got some [MTP TS 34].

George Griswold wrote from Tuxedo Park, NY to Isabel Lyon, acknowledging her note of Mar. 5 covering duplicate copies of the lease, signed by Clemens and his $500 check as first installment of rent [MTP].

W.T. Hall wrote from Dothan, Ala. to Sam, having just found a copy of “Editorial Wild Oats.” Did Sam have any other books not published through Harpers? [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “Answrd Mch 11^th”

Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP.  

 

March 7 Thursday – Sam did not attend the memorial meeting for the late Ernest Howard Crosby, one of the founders of the Social Reform Club, but sent a letter (not extant), as did a few other luminaries. Sam was listed in the Feb. 23 NY Times article as being among those in charge of the meeting in Cooper Union [NY Times, Mar. 8, p.2 “Honor Crosby’s Memory”].

Franklin and Harriet Whitmore came for a three-day stay with Sam [Mar. 12 to Clara; Hill 165; IVL TS 32].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: This evening Mr. & Mrs. Whitmore arrived. It had been a harassing day for Mary Cook developed a very bad mastoid condition of ear & Dr. McKernon came, pierced the poor creature’s ear drums & then they took her away to the hospital. I was quivering with misery over her suffering & I’d been trying to keep her illness from Mr. Clemens when Dr. Halsey went into the King’s room (his door was open & he lay on the bed) & told him of Mary’s condition. “However, it’s all right, there are no mistakes in the fabric.”

The King & Mr. Whitmore played billiards until late, & it was a delight to hear the billiard balls clicking again. The King flitted around the table, with pink cheeks & bright eyes, while Mr. Whitmore plays a ponderous but beautiful game [MTP TS 32].

Fred H. Clifford wrote from Bangor, Maine, disappointed that Sam would not come there during Clara’s tour; he sent a copy of the 1906 B. & A. R.R. Guidebook, “which is fairly suggestive of recreation life in northern Maine” [MTP].

C. Henry Fosgate wrote to Sam, having just purchased the Mark Twain Hotel in Hannibal. He enclosed a clipping from this day’s Quincy Herald, which offered Twain $5,000 a year just to come and live in the hotel, the idea, Fosgate wrote “of the ambitious editor” [MTP].

Alex Mackay-Smith wrote to Sam from Phila., enclosing an extract from the Encyclopedia Britannica on one Joanna Southcott (1750-1814) a self-described prophetess similar to Mary Baker Eddy [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “Mentioned in the beginning of C.S. Long ago disappeared. They don’t mention her any more.”

Albert B. Paine wrote from Kansas City, Mo. to Sam and Isabel Lyon.

 

Dear King and Secretary: / No disasters to date except the eating house at London Ontario, where in her haste to escape, Joy left her doll’s handbag, which thus far has not caught up with us, making it necessary for her doll to sleep in a garment which I, like Katy Murray, am far too modest to name [MTP]. Paine also compared K.C. with Chicago.  Joy Paine was his youngest daughter.

 

James K. Paulding sent Sam a printed notice for a memorial meeting in honor of Ernest Howard Crosby, Mar 7. Paulding would be pleased to use Sam’s name as a member of the committee arranging for this meeting [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “I am willing”

Frederick E. Pierce for Lincoln Farm Assoc. wrote to Sam, enclosing a letter by Clarence H. Mackay. The work of the Assoc. “is going forward splendidly,” and he solicited the use of Sam’s name on a list of prominent men in Connecticut [MTP].

Robert Reid wrote to Isabel Lyon.

I can’t tell you how shocked and distressed I am by your letter. I seem to have driven one more nail into the coffin of the lovely (to me) friendship of dear St. Mark—by expressing my letter to him so badly as to have it entirely misinterpreted. I simply asked him, as a friend of both—whether he thought My telling Mr. Rogers a certain fact would—or could not—further my nearly hopeless cause. / And he doesn’t even congratulate me!! / Most sincerely… [MTP]. Note: On the same day Sam gave the following instructions to Isabel Lyon for a reply:

 

Tell Robert Reid am not willing to speak to M^r. Rogers again. I did not get enough encouragement the last time I spoke to him to make me want to. There is nothing I could say to him that I have not already said—& indeed repeated. If it were some one else, another repetition might do good, but I think that with M^r. Rogers’s make it would most probably fail again [MTP].

An unidentified person from NYC wrote a nonsensical, crank letter to Sam [MTP].

George Thomson Wilson for Pilgrims of the U.S. sent a printed invitation to Sam for a banquet by The Pilgrims, Mar. 23 at 7 p.m. in honor of James Bryce, O.M., English Ambassador to the US [MTP].

March 8 Friday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: Mr. & Mrs. Gilder were here for luncheon today, & the chat was pleasant. The talk after luncheon fell on the Shelly Keats Memorial & the part Mr. Clemens took in it & Mrs. Whitmore asked him to read Rabbi Ben Ezra to us—which he did. The King may deny that he has a religion, but he has it; the very tones of his voice are vibrant with it when he reads a poem like that, or when he looks at a distant view. (And my mind goes back to Dublin & the hallowed days we spent there.) The King & Mr. W. played billiards nearly all day, & again in the evening, while Mrs. Whitmore & I went over to see the Gilders in the evening. There were only one or two there, which made it very delightful. This afternoon Mr. Gilder told how he had met Browning once or twice in a London Club & how Browning came roaring down the hall, & was vigorous in his greeting & how he pointed out Darwin & Herbert Spencer & other big men who were in that club that long ago day [MTP TS 35; Gribben 105]. Note: “Rabbi Ben Ezra” by Robert Browning.

John J. Chapman wrote from NYC to invite Sam to join Tchaykovsky and others to dine with her at the Century Club Mar. 16 at 7:30 p.m. [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “Declined”

J.M. Dean, El Paso, Tex. attorney wrote to Sam, praising IA some “36 years late,” and also praising Sam’s Autobiography in the NAR [MTP].

S.A. Duke wrote from Baxter, Ark. to Sam. He was just past his 79^th birthday and one of the old friends who came out of the woodwork reading Sam’s NAR segments.

My dear old colleague (of the Keokuk Lyceum) / I called at your home last summer and was told you was “in the Arctic regions shooting moose.” I regretted that this time you was “too far away.” / I am reading your biography with much interest, and think I can dimly see why when you was put on for regular exercise at our [illegible word] meeting you was never on hand [MTP].

George Griswold wrote to Lyon: “I return herewith lease, executed by Mr. Voss” [MTP].

Jervis Langdon II wrote from Elmira on Hope-Jones Organ Co. letterhead to Sam, announcing they were “progressing splendidly with the organ enterprise…” They’d won $18,000 in orders the first month of business. Jervis made a second call for stock subscriptions, which in Sam’s case was $750 [MTP].

Lillian Gertrude MacQuillan wrote from Providence, R.I. to solicit Sam to speak at Brown University to raise an endowment for their new gymnasium [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “Answd. Mch 13, 07”

Floyd M. Shoemaker wrote from Elmira, NY to solicit Sam’s autograph in a limited edition of his works [MTP].

March 9 Saturday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: Yesterday came a letter from AB containing a beautiful tribute to the King. I’ll keep it right here. The King was sweetly moved by it. He lies in bed a lot these days when he isn’t flitting around the billiard table. He played all the afternoon, or much of it after Mr. Stanchfield who had been lunching here left us. This morning I sat in the King’s dressing room while he shaved, & went over the batch of mail there. He has had a very pleasant invitation from the Governor of Maryland to visit Annapolis, & inadvertently “Boost up a Presbyterian Church—but it’s right in my line for I’m nothing if not a Presbyterian!” He has never been to Annapolis, & so is trying to find an excuse to go. He wrote the Governor’s wife, Mrs. Edwin Warfield,  a sweet & gracious letter. What a happy woman she will be when she gets it. I couldn’t get theatre seats for Mrs. Whitmore & me, so we sat cosily in the billiard room & watched the men play. Their big bantor [sic banter] is very good and it is great to hear the King’s rich laugh [MTP TS 36].

R.E. Gunning wrote from Memphis, Tenn. to praise CS and to submit a MS for Sam’s review [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “Answd. June 6, 07—”

Isabel Florence Hapgood wrote again to Sam. “Did you have your photograph taken last season wth Maxim Gorky? …will you be good enough to tell me where I can obtain a copy? [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “There was one taken—a flash light—the King says.” Clemens: “Don’t know anything about it. Think there was a picture taken, but is not here”

 

March 10 Sunday – Franklin and Harriet Whitmore ended their three-day visit at 21 Fifth Ave., N.Y. with Sam [Mar. 12 to Clara].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: The King & Mr. Whitmore played billiards this sabbath day & then at 3 o’clock in a big snowstorm, Mr. & Mrs. Whitmore started for home. It was a pity their visit had to break off so soon; for Mr. Whitfield plays a beautiful game of billiards—“25 to 30% better than I can play”, the King says, & to lose so good an antagonist is a pity. This afternoon the King was droopy & had a touch of gout, which means that he is tired & he ought to have a change. Tonight at dinner he talked about the Tichbourne Case & he told me one or 2 stories which he has been reading from “Causes Celèbres”, one of a set of queer & battered little volumes that he ran across in the library. Mrs. Whitmore said that his mind seems keener than it ever did, & broader & fearlesser. I painted his right foot with iodine, for that wretched twinging has to be taken in hand early. Dr. Halsey reports a continual improvement in Mary’s condition [MTP TS 36-37; also Gribben 462]. Note: Recueil des causes celebres, etc. by Maurice Mejan (1765-1823).

The Carnegie Institute sent Sam two invitations, likely before Mar. 10. One to the dedication of the Carnegie Institute’s new building in Pittsburg on Apr. 11-13, and also one for the conferring of degrees at the Carnegie Music Hall, Pittsburg on Apr. 13. A third card requests an RSVP by Mar. 10 [MTP].

Mary R. Davis wrote from Stamford, Conn. to ask a favor of Sam. She was a post graduate student at NYU and president of Pi Alpha. She requested he visit and speak to the university students [MTP].

Charlotte A. England wrote on Detroit, Mich. Normal School stationery to secure Sam as a speaker [MTP].

Fedem (not further identified) wrote from Vienna, Austria to solicit Sam’s help in some injustice she compared to the Dreyfus case, but in Italy. The exact cause she was championing is not clear [MTP].

Jennie Pomerene wrote to Sam, enclosing a ticket for the College Women’s Club debut Scholarship Matinee, Tuesday Mar. 12 at 2:30 p.m. And, of course, the women were “great admirers” [MTP].

March 11 Monday – In N.Y.C. Isabel V. Lyon replied for Sam to the Mar. 1 reqeust from Calvin H. Higbie, enclosing the MS Higbie had sent the previous summer. Higbie had lost his copy. Sam also wanted to clarify Albert Bigelow Paine’s legitimate position as his biographer with Higbie, who evidently had misunderstood his role. Paine was “well on his way to California” [MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: The King is restless—the gout seems better, & I painted the foot again tonight.   (I hear him sneeze.) He cannot dictate & he is much in need of a change. We have been talking up a trip to Bermuda. We should have but one night there, for the Bermudian sails every Saturday from here, but the King won’t care. He will have 5 days away from home & so I telephoned first to Mr. Howells to ask if he were not planning to go to Bermuda, but he isn’t, & then after foraging about in his thoughts he suggested Paddy Madden, & I telephoned the invitation to her & delighted her soul. So the plan is to leave here on Sat., arrive in Bermuda on Monday, sail back on Tuesday, & reach New York again on Thursday the 21^st.

“Robert Undershirt Johnson—The great American undertaker—He’ll undertake anything that can add to his popularity”  [MTP TS 37]. Note: see Sam to Clara, Mar. 12.  

The Junior English Class of Beloit High School, Beloit, Kans. wrote to ask Sam who was the greatest living author? They were unable to agree so would put the matter to him as “competent to judge” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “Doesn’t know who is the greatest living author”

 

Adelaide Earle wrote from Elizabeth, NJ to ask Sam if he would give a lecture there in April or October [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “Answd Mch. 13 ‘07”

 

Clara C. Fuller wrote on Ossining School on the Hudson stationery to ask Sam to come to the school and speak to the girls [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “Answrd. / Mch 13, ‘07”

 

Theodore E. Lyon for Barnard School for Girls, NYC wrote to ask Sam to speak to their graduating class on June 5 [MTP].

Carl M. Pihl wrote to Sam on NY Electric Music Co. letterhead, NYC asking for “a few words of recommendation” for the “Electric music that you had at your residence on last New Years Eve” [MTP].

 

Erica Woltereck wrote on Knox School, Lakewood, NJ stationery to Sam, “fascinated” by Sam’s Autobiography and wishing to translate it to German [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “Write to Harpers / Answrd. Mch. 13, ‘07”

 

March 12 Tuesday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to daughter Clara, who evidently had chided him for wearing his white suit in public.  

Clara dear, your impression was right. The white clothes are for home use, and are not to be worn outside, except at the tables of very intimate friends.

Your growing popularity does certainly give me a good many pangs, and yet I want it to continue, and increase. It is curious, but I feel just so about it.

[Sam advised her not to use a program and related his negative experiences with them].

….

When I read in Carnegie Hall a year ago I refused to allow a program to be distributed. I carried one with me, but used only two-thirds of it. I am going to read in the Governor’s mansion in Anapolis about the 1st of May, but there will be no program. Discard it, Clara dear—abolish it. You can never tell with certainty what to sing until you have seen your audience; a song-program is much more hampering and disastrous than any reading program can be. You are coming to realize that your first duty, both to yourself and to your house, is to win your house and carry it along with you; the result is going to be (programs being abolished) that you will carry your houses by storm.  

I am very glad your audiences are liking you; it was sure to come to that. I am delighted to know that you will spend Holy Week with us. You will be most extremely welcome, dear Ashcat.

I have lost interest in everything, and am in deadly need of a change, and so Miss Lyon and I decided last night to sail for Bermuda next Saturday and be gone five days. We invited Paddy, by telephone, to go along with us, and her father had given his consent.

The Whitmores have been here for a day or two, and we had good times with them.

It is a pity I never thought, long ago, to dictate my letters, and thus make them easy to read—but I mean to be more heedful now. Forgive me, dear, and receive a large cargo of love and kisses [MTP].

 

Note: Paddy Madden had been on the Bermudian with Sam and Joe Twichell in the three-day January trip. D. Hoffman identifies her as “a pretty girl from the Upper West Side” of N.Y.C. who had “evidently amused Clemens, and gave him relief from the reverend” [75-6]. D. Hoffman writes that Paddy was invited by telephone and accepted. The party of three left on March 16 [78].

 

Fatout lists Sam giving a few remarks at the College Women’s Club, N.Y.C. [MT Speaking 676]. Isabel Lyon’s journal entry gives details:

Mr. Clemens dined at the Hoyts where Gen. Miles was a guest, he had a very good time. The lady who sat on his right “was very intelligent, she talked about adultery as if she knew all about it—she was from 45 to 50.” He didn’t know her name & never reached the point of asking what it was. But it wouldn’t make any difference—he wouldn’t remember her, probably.

In the afternoon we went up to the Hudson Theatre to the College Club Benefit. The King sat in a box with General Miles, a fine looking creature, & Gen. Wilson & Edwin Markham, a sweet-faced man with a short good-natured nose, & Count [Alexander] Spiridovitch who is in this country on a diplomatic mission. The King made an explanation of why Miss Fisher didn’t arrive, & the best part of the program was Ethel Barrymore in Carrots, a darling creature. I sat close enough to the King to touch him, just outside the box [MTP: TS 37-38]. Note: did Sam make remarks to the audience or to those in his box? Editorial emphasis.

George Wharton James wrote on Bradley Studios letterhead, NYC: “I have just seen Mr. Bradley & he agrees to your terms. He will give you for the Colbrith Fund 75 large photos & 25 of the medium size if you will pose for him.”  [MTP]. Note: he also wrote to Lyon.

Jervis Langdon II wrote to Sam, urging him to come to Elmira the next month for a demonstration of the Hope-Jones organ, newly installed at Elmira’s Park Church, in honor of Rev. Thomas K. Beecher, who had passed away in 1900. Sam had purchased an interest in the newly-formed Hope-Jones Organ Co. upon its incorporation (see Jan. 19).

 

We want you very much to be here for April 3….We all want you to hear the organ so that you will know what the company which you are part of is preparing to put on the market, and it would be the greatest possible aid to the company in connection with this advertising scheme of April 3 if you could be at the church for a little while that morning to informally meet and chat with these very delightful New Yorkers and to hear some of the music. We would not ask for anything exacting but what it to be as much of a pleasure to you as it would surely be to all these men and ourselves to have you here at that time [Ensor, MT & Hope-Jones 6-7].

 

Note: Ensor writes of the “grand scheme” to advertise and legitimize the unique Hope-Jones organs:

 

A special railroad car would be used to bring to Elmira about forty prominent organists from New York City and the surrounding area for a demonstration of the Park Church organ. Among these would be the organists of New York’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Trinity Church on Wall Street, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian, the Brick Church, the Broadway Tabernacle, the Church of the Heavenly Rest, and other churches [ibid]. Note: Jervis’ father, Charles J. Langdon added a P.S. agreeing with his son—Sam’s “presence would be a mighty good factor for the organ co. and a more welcome guest could not possibly come to us” [7]. See Apr. 3.

 

John A. Lewis sent a telegram from Carson City, Nevada to Sam: “PAINE IS TRYING TO PLAY BILLIARDS NEEDS INSTRUCTIONS SAYS YOU ARE ABLE SEND ADVICE” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “His father was probably Editor Proprietor Compositor & pressman of the Silver Age in Mr. Clemens’s day in Carson City.” See MTL 1:172n5 for more on John C. Lewis, this man’s father.

W.D. Lowe wrote from Durham, England to ask if there were any historical foundation for P&P [MTP].

Frederic L. Thompson wrote from the Bronx, NY, thanking Sam for buying two of his paintings [MTP].

March 13 Wednesday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: The check has gone off for the Bermuda tickets, & we are to sail on Saturday. Mr. Howells came in to see the King this afternoon & said that Mrs. Howells is proposing to go to Bermuda on the 28th, but that he has to pretend indifference, otherwise she’d back down at once. For tht’s what she always does. It’s her illness that causes her to oppose anything that Mr. Howells wants to do. And the King observed as he walked around the billiard table doing random shooting, that it was suh an easy trait to acquire; he used to have it himself in an exaggerated form & now he knows that Mrs. Clemens used to use all her diplomacy to get him to do what she wanted him to do. It makes him miserable & sick when he thinks of it now[MTP TS 38-39].

William Thomas Stead of The Review of Reviews, London wrote to Sam sending a current number of the publication and asking if they might “hope to have” his “presence as one of the Pilgrims…” [MTP]. On or after Mar. 13 Isabel wrote notes for answering Stead’s letter. “was a time when he was young enough to do such a thing & should have been glad enough to take part in it, but now does not take any journeys that can be avoided, nor take a practical interest in any movement, good or bad” [MTP].

Percival E. Fansler wrote to ask Sam which of two phrases was correct: “You would best stop at the Waldorf-Astoria,” or, “You had best stop at the Waldorf-Astoria” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “Out of my line. / Answrd Mch 14, ‘07”

James Forbes wrote on “Offices of Henry B Harris, Hudson Theatre New York” letterhead to Sam. “Miss Janet L. Gilder made me very happy the other day by the news that you had witnessed Miss Rose Stahl’s performance in my play, “The Chorus Lady” and had enjoyed our joint effort. / To have won the approval of a mastercraftsman is the greatest tribute that a novice like myself could have received” [MTP].  

John M. Howells wrote to Sam about the Redding house plans. “Persuant of our telephone conversation to-day with Miss Lyon, we write covering several points discussed.”  John covered drawings for piping of acetylene gas, electricity, and quotes from 3 general contractors. “We will take up the specifications next week and believe that all will be ready to take figures by the end of the month” [MTP].

 

Arthur Leonard wrote from Liverpool, England to Miss Lyon on “The West African Mail” letterhead. Morel had been away on Congo matters a long time but would be very glad to see Dihdwo Twe when he passed through Liverpool [MTP].

Roi Cooper Megrue for Elisabeth Marbury wrote to Miss Lyon, enclosing a letter in French concerning a dispute over the dramatization of Sam’s tale, “The Californian” [MTP].

Barbara Mullen wrote from Hannibal, Mo. to Sam, praising the Mar. 1 segment of his Autobio. in the NAR [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “Write her a thank you of some kind or other. So pleased to find that there are a good manyh people—Southern people here who recognize the truth / Answrd Mch 25, ‘07”

 

Emma N. Warfield (Mrs. Edwin Warfield) wrote to Sam on Executive Mansion, Annapolis, Md. Stationery. “The Governor and I are inexpressibly touched by the hospitality you have extended to us. / We expect to be in New York on the twenty-first and the twenty-second of March, Thursday and Friday of next week [MTP]. Note: Sam had invited them to dine.

Richard B.B. Wood wrote from Keokuk, Iowa to Sam, enclosing “Orion Clemens’ Lunch”—the story about Orion eating a bowl of yeast by mistake. Wood had sent it to the NAR but they returned it and suggested he send it to Clemens [MTP].

March 14 Thursday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: This morning I mentioned R.U. Johnson not being at a meeting & the King let on to be astonished, & he said “Oh Jesus, No Johnson. Undershirt!” Mr. Rogers arrived pretty early & the King was in the bathroom; he came along the hall in his night clothes & his old red slippers, saying “Oh yes, oh yes, I reckon you’ll find that somebody else is up just as early as you are” & then as the door closed, followed the usual affectionate abuse of each other.

Robt. Collier & Mrs & Mr. Walker dined here. But—After dinner the King read “Interpreting the Diety” aloud, & then followed a discussion as to whether it should or shouldn’t be published. It should be, of course; but there isn’t a publisher who would have the courage to print it. Although, as Collier said “The publisher ought to want to publish it, & doubtless would want to.” But it’s just as the King says, we are all slaves in one degree or another. The King is a slave because he mustn’t submit to it because it would be bad for his children [MTP TS 39-40].

R.G. Chase wrote from West Medford, Mass. to ask Sam for “a few selections for reading” on his evening with his Reading Club. He planned to give his club an account of Carleton’s “estimate of himself for declining the publication” of The Jumping Frog [MTP].

Anna Palmer Draper wrote from NYC to decline Sam’s dinner invitation of Mar. 22, as she had to be on Boston that day [MTP].

Hugh McLellan wrote from Champlain, NY to Sam, “at last” thanking him for Tom Sawyer [MTP].

A. Emilius Outerbridge & Co., Agents for Quebec Steamship Co. wrote to Miss Lyon: “We acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 13th inst. enclosing check for $273.36 for which we return herein the tickets and advise having booked Mr. Clemens and party in rooms 29 and 62 from Bermuda March 19^th” [MTP].

Victor Robinson for Alturia Magazine wrote to Sam asking for his 10 favorite humanitarians of the 19^th Century [MTP].

Maryland Governor Edwin Warfield wrote to Sam, accepting his invitation for dinner, and expressing pleasantries that he was finally able to get to know Mark Twain [MTP].

March 15 Friday – Sam sat for A.F. Bradley, a New York photographer. Isabel Lyon’s journal recorded the event:

I went up to the Bradly [sic] studio with the King at eleven this morning, & Mr. Bradly must have made 25 exposures of the King. He was in his white suit & very very beautiful. Now at 1:30 I slipped down to his room to see him lying asleep with his glasses on & his hands clasped over his breast and over a volume of “Plutarch’s Lives”. His body is so sweet, so gentle in these days, but from the flash of his eye you can see the strong active crusader-like life he is living in his mind [MTP TS 40].

North American Review published a review of Christian Science by Charles Johnston, p. 641-5. Tenney: “Argues that Mary Baker Eddy is indeed a psychic, though lacking the character to fully cope with what has been revealed to her. She has her virtues (amply proclaimed by her disciples and by herself), but also her failings, and ‘it is natural and right that Mark Twain should lay more stress on the sordid despotism, the vanity, the pretence, which he makes exceedingly plain in his earnest and disinterested study. He is absolutely right in underlining the passion for money, backed up by claims of immediate divine guidance….’” [Tenney: “A Reference Guide Third Annual Supplement,” American Literary Realism, Autumn 1979 p. 192]. Also, in the same issue, Charles Klein, p. 636-41, offers a point-by-point defense of Eddy and Christian Science [ibid.].

 

Ralph W. Ashcroft wrote from NYC to acknowledge blank check from Sam to be used, “if at all, in the purchase of Utah Consolidated shares” [MTP].

Arthur Judson Bleazby wrote from Lynn, Mass. to Sam. “In dealing with the subject of Christian Science, which you have not understood, but misjudged, error alias the devil has compelled you many ‘miles’ and you have misinterpreted the meaning of Matthew, 5^th Chapter, and 41^st verse. The last word is an adjective not a proper noun and name” [MTP]. Note: Matt. 5:41: “And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.”

William Augustus Croffut, a Redding Conn. native, wrote to Sam, noting from newspapers that Sam was going to “boom” Redding, by building there—“the last town in the world” he would have expected Sam to hide in. He looked forward to seeing Sam there in the summer [MTP].

E.L. Hale wrote to Sam about p. 461 in the NAR, where Sam claimed to be able to crack hickory nuts & walnuts with the kernels delivered whole. What was the secret? [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “Place edge up, not the flat side, so that the nut splits open into 2 halves & delivers those kernels whole”

 

Jean Jewel Hotchkiss wrote from NYC to Sam, having had no answer to his letter two weeks before [MTP].

March 16 Saturday – Sam, Isabel Lyon, and the “pretty young girl” Paddy Madden left on the Bermudian. The trip would be a five-day getaway for Sam, who was suffering from gout, but all but one day would be on board the ship. Also on the outward voyage Charles W. Eliot (1834-1926), president of Harvard, and Thomas D. Peck, woolen manufacturer from Pittsfield, Mass., were on board. Sam and Peck conducted a lottery on the ship to benefit the Cottage Hospital in Bermuda, the only civilian one there [D. Hoffman 78-9].

Note: Peck’s wife, Mary Allen Hulbert Peck, was a socialite who often wintered in the islands; she would have a dalliance with the future president, Woodrow Wilson in Bermuda. Wilson arrived in Bermuda on Jan. 14, a week after Sam’s last trip, and was introduced to Mrs. Peck on Feb. 5. Mary would sue for divorce in 1911, claiming desertion; the couple had been separated since 1907 [NY Times, Dec. 9, 1911, p.1]. The Times of Mar. 17, p.9 “Ocean Travelers” mistakenly reported this as a six weeks’ stay in Bermuda for Mark Twain; and lists other passengers as: Joseph W. Bullard, Mr. and Mrs. Warren Curtis, Dr. and Mrs. Charles W. Eliot, Mr. and Mrs. F.J. Frey, Lawrence Haight, J. Donaldson Nichols, A.R. Outerbridge, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ransom, Mr. and Mrs. Martin H. Smith, Dr. and Mrs. Frederick A. Slack, and Frank T. Wadsworth.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: On Mar 16th we sailed for Bermuda. The King, Paddy Madden & I, with a good big & interesting looking ships company. President Elliot [sic] of Harvard. It didn’t mean anything to me for within an hour the exhausted headache I had wakened with had boiled into something unprecedented & I was alarmed—Dr. Herring gave me a drug to dilate the arteries. It did it—or did something—& the bad condition increased steadily. However, I begged him for an emetic; he finally consented to give it—but it couldn’t work—& lay in my system harboring impossible conditions [MTP TS 40-41].

Elizabeth G. Jordan sent Sam an engraved, postcard sized invitation for Saturday, Mar. 16 at 9 p.m. when Miss Katherine Everts would read “My Lady’s Ring” by Alice Brown [MTP].

Albert B. Paine wrote from Carson City, Nev. to Sam and Lyon that he was “having very good success in finding old friends and landmarks & material for reconstructing the past” [MTP].

Adair Wilson attorney in Durango, Colo. wrote to Sam, having had his memory jogged by Sam’s Autobiography in the NAR. “…recalled the never-forgotten ride which you and I took at a very unseemly hour in the morning down ‘Six Mile Canon’, expecting to witness the duel between Joe Goodman and Tom Fitch.” Wilson had been caught in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and his nerves had been shot from it since [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “ was a man who justified Horace Greeley’s remark Go West, young man, Go West. He was a reporter & then studied law with a shyster lawyer & then practiced & finally became a judge. Ran for Gov. too—Ruggles was another. Ruggles was long & lean & popeyed & in 1853 was setting type in St. Louis—& he went West to grow up with the Country.”

March 17 Sunday – Sam was en route to Bermuda on the Bermudian. It was now a two-day voyage.

Isabel Lyon’s Journal: Sunday afternoon I went up on deck to find the King with a Mr. Wilcox and then to find that he and Paddy had been enjoying a Mr. Binny, who was out at Katonah for awhile this winter, in Jean’s sanitarium. We also met his friend Mr. Aertsen. Both men are delightful and that pretty creature Paddy, proves a delightful bait for the very nicest men on board. She sat beside President [Charles W.] Eliot and seemed to delight him with her empty little remarks. She loves ice cream, but not candy, and she never drinks coffee, all of which she says with a conviction that makes you interested in what she is saying. She wears white when the fellows come to see her. She says a 5 page prayer to the virgin 5 times a day when she isn’t too sleepy and so on and so on, and she is so pretty” [MTP TS 121; also in part, D. Hoffman 78]. Note: Mr. Binny was Witter Bynner.

Mildred C. Sawyer wrote from NYC to invite Clara and Sam for supper on Apr. 2 at 11 [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Answrd. Invitation wd. Be referred to Mr. C. immediately upon his return. / Yes for C.C.”

March 18 Monday – Sam, Isabel Lyon, and Paddy Madden reached Bermuda.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: We reached Bermuda sailing in along that darling channel about 9:30. We hadn’t any packing to do, so we could enjoy every moment of it, for we were going to spend the night on the ship. We drove at once to the Princess Hotel to call on Mildred Howells and on Mrs. Stevens, and then we went for a sail among the islands in one of the sweet native boats. A hasty scramble of a luncheon, Paddy and I eating spinach and potatoes left by Mr. Binny, and we jumped into a cab and we went to the Court House to attend a meeting which is to decide whether or not Bermuda shall have the right to have electric power and lights and all the other hideous modern things. The removal of the Garrison has been a bad thing for the island, for with the removal of the Garrison, England stops the payment of over a million pounds for the support of the island, and the condition there is a grave one. We were too late for the meeting and so drove over to call on Mrs. Peck who lives in an old, old house on the Paget side. The house is infinitely charming, with a good deal of nice old furniture in it, and long ago was Government House. On either side of the drawing room fireplace are 2 recesses, really little rooms with a high window in each, and these were known as the powder rooms, for the ladies used to withdraw into them to rebeautify themselves when balls and plays were given there by the Governor. Mr. Peck went down on the Bermudian with us, and Mrs. Peck lives there all the winter through. Then the King was tired. I saw the weary sagging arrive all over his body, and the grey look came into his face, so we drove hastily home to the ship, after making some photographs of him as he stood on the pretty porch, and he went to sleep. At 7:30 we dined at the Princess [Hotel] with Mr. Aertsen and Binny as guests. Had such a good dinner and then again the weariness crept over the King, he swore at his salad, because he couldn’t cut it with a dull sided fork, and then back we went to the ship. It was so sweet and so quiet, and although the darkeys were loading potatoes and carrots half the night, we hard no sound of it and slept until morning [MTP TS 122-123]. Note: Mr. Binny was Witter Bynner.

D. Hoffman writes:

With so little time to spend on land, Clemens and Miss Lyon had no need to unpack; they would spend the night on board. They rode at once to the Princess Hotel, where Mildred Howells, the daughter of Clemens’s old friend, had been staying since the previous Monday. After a sail about the Islands, they took a carriage to Paget and called on Mrs. Peck. She had been at Inwood “all winter through,” Miss Lyon noted. Clemens got tired, and retreated to the ship for a nap. That night when they dined at the Princess he grew tired again, Miss Lyon wrote, and “swore at his salad, because he couldn’t cut it with a dull-sided fork.” Their few hours on the Islands resulted in another absurdity. The same Tuesday edition of the Royal Gazette reported Mark Twain’s arrival and Mark Twain’s departure [80].

E.S. Duryee wrote from Springfield, Mass. to ask Sam about his note on p.178 of CS that he knew of “a simple method for curing the drink habit.” Was it the Oppenheimer Institute’s method? [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “It is not the Oppenheimer Ins & you will find the method he speaks of in a very early chapter in Following the Equator”

March 19 Tuesday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: We sailed away again this morning. We had a darling time when leaving time came, for every one way paying court to the King, and photographing him. We flew over to Trinningham’s [D. Hoffman shows this as Trimingham’s] and bought him a nice panama hat, one like Binny’s, and Binny was struggling with an Irish flag to hoist to the top of his hired boat in Paddy’s honor and altogether it was charming. The afternoon before there had been some good talk with Mr. Aertsen about the King, who all his life had been longing for just a chance to look at him even from a distance [MTP TS 41]. Note: Binny was Witter Bynner.

The Clemens party sailed from Bermuda on the Bermudian, bound for N.Y.

Thomas Bailey Aldrich, age 70, died in Boston. His last words were, “In spite of it all, I’m going to sleep.” Sam learned of his death upon return to New York.

James DeConlay, Jr. of the Australasian Press wrote to Miss Lyon asking for Sam’s autograph, and enclosing a small Australian flag as her “graft” [MTP].

Samuel A. Eliot for the International Council wrote to invite Sam to be an “honorary Vice-President of the Congress” that would meet next September in Boston [MTP].

March 20 Wednesday – Sam was on the Bermudian en route to N.Y.C. Isabel Lyon’s journal: “A beautiful rough day” [MTP TS 41].

Arthur E. Bullard for Friends of Russian Freedom wrote to advise Sam they were organizing on a national basis and requested he be on their executive committee [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “I am in full sympathy with the movement & am willing to have my name used, but as I am too full of duties I cannot furnish any active service”

Ernest Hendrie wrote from London, England to ask about dramatizing “The Man Who Corrupted Hadleyburg” [MTP].

Robert McClelloch for the Confederate Monument wrote from St. Louis to ask Sam if he would lecture with the ladies of the St. Louis Chapter of the Daughters of the Confederacy [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Answrd Apr. 16 ‘07”

W. John Murray wrote from NYC to Sam having read various reviews of CS,which he discussed at length, criticizing those that hadn’t read the whole work [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Glad the reviews interested him. They never interest me, so I never read them & am therefore not aware of what he is talking about”

March 21 Thursday – The Bermudian docked in N.Y.C.  Sam returned home to  21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. and sent a telegram to Lilian W. Aldrich in Boston:

“I have just learned to-night with the deepest sorrow of your heavy bereavement & I tender the heartfelt sympathy of an old friend who always loved him, & who would comfort you if any words of his could do it” [MTP].

Lilian W. Aldrich wrote to Sam from Boston after the loss of her husband. “We have been kinsmen through many years in affection—now the tie binds closes through grief. You and I know the appalling isolation that closes about us when all that really made our life is taken from us…” [MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Ach Gott. Once more I am in my own room, in my own bed, and no one could be gratefuller. Today the first news we heard upon our arrival was the death of Mr. Aldrich [MTP TS 41-42].

George H. Mifflin sent a telegram to George Harvey: “Please convey to Mr Clemens, Mrs Aldrichs, Hope that he will be able to serve as honorary pallbearer tomorrow noon arlington street church” [MTP].

March 22 Friday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote an introductory note for Frederick Upham Adams (representing Harper’s) to Dr. John S. Billings. The introduction was “upon library business” [MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Gov. and Mrs. Warfield, Dr. and Mrs. Kinnicutt, Miss Herrick, Dorothea G., [Gilder], Count Spiridowitch and Melville Stone dined here this evening, and it was all so satisfactory and delightful. Roses and freesia we had for flowers, and Katy Laundress cooked a delicious dinner and every thing was right—exactly right. All these people were strangers to me, but I soon lost my shyness. Gov. Warfield sat on my right and told about his plantation home, and about Annapolis. He is the 13th Governor who has lived in the new executive mansion. And we are to go down there in May and visit them. The King found Mrs. Warfield very sweet and very behind the times, oh, very! for she believes that the animals were put here as food for us. I reminded the King that she was a Presbyterian and he said that he was too, but a pretty pale Presbyterian beside her. The King reminisced about his early days as a reporter and about his experiences in boarding houses in the far west.

I am too exhausted to remember much about it. Once or twice today I felt that I must give up & find some one else to take my place tonight, but things revived me. When we went down to wait the arrival of the guests, Mr. Clemens found a letter from a man who has been reading the C.S. book and who came across the sentence: “and naively explaining which Sir William Wallace it was; lest we get the wrong one by the hassock.” He was troubled, so sat down at once to explain what a “hassock’ is, then thinking the King meant “cassock”, he explained the meaning of that word too. The King enjoyed it ever so much but was sorry that the writer was a Scotchman [MTP TS 42-43].

James E. Gallagher wrote from Berkeley, Calif. to Sam, enclosing a clipping (not in file) and asking, “Are they correct in attributing to you the ‘Punch with care’ verses? I had always thought Mr. Isaac (‘Ike’) Bromley—my old friend and doubtless yours, too, wrote them” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “They ingeniously combined the signs around in the horse car— / Mr. Bromley & Noah Brooks patched together those rhymes & published them. I took the rhythmes & commented upon them & published them. / The jingle drove me mad & I wrote the sketch in order that it might  drive some other people mad.”

John Mead Howells sent Sam “notes of decisions reached at meeting at Mr. Clemens’ House / March 22^nd, 1907.” Details about windows, screens, weather stripping, floors, window trim, call bells, etc. [MTP].

Franklin G. Whitmore wrote to Sam. “Dear Brer:—/ You will have overlook my shortcomings in not writing you before this late hour and telling you how much pleasure and enjoyment you gave me during my visit with you. It was…like old times to be playing billiards with you again…”  [MTP].

March 23 Saturday – Fatout lists Sam giving a Pilgrim’s dinner speech at the Ambassador James Bryce Dinner, Waldorf-Astoria, N.Y.C. [MT Speaking 676]. Particulars below:

The New York Sun, Mar. 24, p.4, “Bryce Guest of Pilgrims” reported the event but does not mention any speech by Mark Twain. In part (with all mentions of Mark Twain):  

 

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Before he went away AB brought to me a magazine (Scribner’s) containing Elizabeth Jordan’s story “Varick’s Lady o’ Dreams.” & he insisted that I read it, for I’d find it exquisite. It’s more than that.

It’s so sweet to be alone this evening—for my trip exhausted me, & last night’s dinner did too.

The King has gone to a Pilgrim Banquet for Mr. Bryce—& as he slipped sweetly out of the house, the feeling the back of my head, that he is the best ever, & that I’m the most fortunate, pounded away at me & gave me great happiness.

Last night Mrs. Kinnicutt said a thing that interested me. She said that when Karl Schurtz [sic] was writing his autobiography he was unable to write the early part of it—his German life—in English; he was obliged to write it in German and have it translated. Mrs. Kennicutt [sic Kinnicutt]  said he would labor with it and write in stilted English, impossible English, and finally would give it up and go back to the German. Mrs. Kennicutt is a wonderful woman. Melville Stone was much impressed with her [MTP TS 43]. Note: Lyon often struck out, perhaps much later, the more effusive passages about Clemens.

Robert Fraser Standen wrote from Dover, England to Sam. “I have been awaiting the publication of your book [CS] before acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 25^th of February last year, but now that your publishers have agreed with you as to the psychological moment at which to produce your assault on Mrs Eddy, I’m sure you will forgive me for writing again, since I can cheer you by enclosing this inimitable paragraph from the fertile pen of ‘Tay Pay’ O’Connor. / It takes an Irishman to see a joke, after all!” He thanked Sam for Huck Finn [MTP]. Note: T.P. O’Connor, member of Parliament.

March 24 Sunday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: A lazy recuperative day, I think. I have never been so exhausted as just now. I was telling the King this morning how mother who spends her winters near here changed her boarding house by herself and got into a house of questionable character and he told me of how when Mr. And Mrs. Twichell were in London many years ago, they spent a week in a house of prostitution and would probably be there yet, if some friend hadn’t taken them out [MTP TS 44].

 

March 25 Monday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to Miss Marjorie Bowen (pseud.)

Indeed I shall be more pleased than you can think, to have “The Master of Stair” dedicated to me. It is lovely of you to conceive of this fine compliment for me, & I highly value the impulse that moved you to it. You are a wonderful girl, & I hope there is a long life before you to keep on proving it in. / With the very best wishes …. [MTP]. Note: see Nov. 20, 1906.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Nearly all day in Katonah. Jean is improving and is full of plans for the future home in Redding” [MTP TS 40-41].

Lyon’s journal of Mar. 26 puts Clara Clemens’ return from her tour to late this evening [TS 44].

Julia Barnett Rice (Mrs. Isaac L. Rice) for the Society of Suppression of Unnecessary Noise wrote to Sam. “I enclose a few clippings about our Society which may interest you.” She solicited “a few words” from Clemens for their meeting [MTP]. Note: many clippings from Paris, London, and the US are in file.

Sam’s A.D. of Mar. 26 recalled a visit this day from William Dean Howells, and how they reflected on the passing of so many, including Thomas Bailey Aldrich:  

“Of the gay company of us that used to foregather in Boston, thirty-five years ago and more, not one is left but himself and me; and of the New York contingent of that day we could call to mind no conspicuous member still in the flesh except Stedman”  [MTHL 824].

March 25 ca. – Charles Dexter Allan wrote on The Grolier Club stationery, NYC, to advise Sam that a good friend of his, Seumas McManus (1868-1960), noted storyteller of Ireland, was in town [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Mr Clemens finds he is in town & would like to know him. (at top:) Invite him here to luncheon Monday or Tuesday.” McManus wrote on this day to Miss Lyon, advising he would give a reading on Apr 30 at the National Arts Club—would Sam honor him by attending?

March 26 Tuesday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: A long and enthusiastic letter from AB, who finds Carson City very interesting and so full of matter than he had to send for Mrs. P and Joy [his youngest dau.] to see it with him. C.C. came home late last night. She is a made over creature with happiness and success and music running rampantly through her veins. What a creature she is, and how beautiful [MTP TS 44].

Ferris Greenslet of Houghton Mifflin & Co. wrote to Sam, advising that beginning June 1 he was preparing a memoir of Thomas Bailey Aldrich. He requested any letters Twain might have—he could have them transcripted and return them promptly [MTP].

Alice Minnie Herts for the Children’s Educational Theatre wrote to Sam. “Your letter has made us all so happy, inspiring new spirit and ardor into those who are rehearsing your play. The knowledge that you are really truly coming to us is going  … among the children…” [MTP].

March 27 Wednesday – Sam attended a luncheon at the St. Regis Hotel given by Count Arthur de Jcherep-Spiridovitch (1851-1926), who eulogized the Russian Czar. Sam paid some compliments in introducing the Count. The New York Times, Mar. 28, p.9 reported the event. Evidently, Mark Twain’s remarks were not recorded.

John Mead Howells presented the plans for the new house in Redding, Conn. to Clara Clemens, who approved them. Hill writes that Sam “refused even to discuss the subject of the new construction” [171]. Note: The builder of the Redding house, Philip Nichols Sunderland, recalled first meeting Twain when he went with John Mead Howells to get the contract signed. This may have been that day, but likely somewhat later, after Clemens had had time to study the plans. He mentioned having signed the contract in a letter to H.H. Rogers on May 29, 1907.

Isabel Lyon’s Journal: I went down to the cellars of the Equitable Building, 120 Broadway to go over 11 cases of books and papers belonging to the Webster Publishing Co. There were great hydraulic engines all about me and their companionship and the companionship of the grimy engineers was pleasant. I condemned 5 cases which were just old ledgers, but among the other cases of letters, etc. I’ll find something. I ran upon a sketch of Mr. Aldrich’s life in ms. written by Mr. Howells which I brought home, and there are a lot of G.C. Stedman letters.

The King lunched with Count Spiridowitch at the St. Regis. Gabrilowitsch came in about dinner time and we had a chat about Count S., who they say isn’t a count at all. Miss Harrison and Dorothea G. dined here. Dorothea was very charming, C.C. was beautiful, very beautiful in a pale violet gown with a great bunch of violets at her belt, and Miss Harrison was as stately and handsome as a Duchess of Towers. John Howells lunched here to show the house plans to C.C. When we were up in the garret looking at the carved mantel there, he suggested green for the big living room. But the King hates and hates and damns green. Oh, it mustn’t be [MTP TS 44-45].

 

W.J. Armstrong wrote from Patterson, NJ to Sam, announcing he’d rec’d a patent on an adjustable chair that he wished to show Clemens [MTP].

E.H. Hawley wrote from Danbury, Conn. that he’d been informed of a need for a manager of Sam’s farm at Redding; he was looking for such a position [MTP].

Emily Ladenburg (Mrs. Adolf Ladenburg, widow) wrote on “The Warrington / 161 Madison Avenue” letterhead to Sam. “I am so glad you are coming to me on Friday. It will be such a pleasure to have you and Colonel Harvey with me” [MTP]. Adolf was mysteriously lost at sea in 1896 after boarding the Niagara at Nassau for a sea return to New York [NY Times, Feb. 24, 1896, “Banker Lost at Sea”]. The widow was likely a friend of Harvey’s. She went to London in 1922 and no later death notice was found in the Times.

Somtime shortly before Mar. 27 Major General Count Arthur de Jcherep-Spiridovitch sent Sam a postcard invitation to lunch on this day at 1 p.m. [MTP].

Emma N. Warfield (Mrs. Edwin Warfield, Governor) wrote on Executive Mansion, Annapolis, Md. stationery to thank Sam for the warm welcome, the delightful people and charming dinner; she urged Lyon and Clara to spend time with them when they came; and offered a day of sailing on the Chesapeake should Clemens come that way [MTP]. Note: on Apr. 4, Edwin Warfield wrote to Miss Lyon with his thanks.

Rolla Wells, Mayor of St. Louis, wrote for the Daughters of the Confederacy to again invite Sam to speak at the erection of a memorial monument in St. Louis [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Answrd Apr. 16, ‘07”

Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP.  

March 28 Thursday – Isabel Lyon’s journal:

Oh, the King is so great. C.C. has come back from her tour, it has cost at least $2,500.00—a financial loss, but when I talked with him this morning about the chances of proceeding for another 4 weeks, he said, “Pay the bills and tell Ben to go ahead.” He was shaving and with his face covered with lather he said in substance that she was still learning her trade and the only way she can learn it is to know how to sail her ship in adverse winds. He said that if she had come home with twenty thousand dollars in her purse it would not be of the value to her that this experience has been; smaller cold audiences that you win over are the ones that help you most.

Seaumas MacManus lunched here today, and he is a sweet and genuine Irishman, full of the problems young Ireland is trying to solve. He is poetic and when he is interested he drones his speech and makes of the word “love” a word as long as a long, long sigh.

I had a beautiful and affectionate letter from Mrs. Warfield [MTP TS 45-46]. Seumas McManus.

Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP.  

 

March 29 before – William L. Bryan (1860-1955), philosopher, author, president of Indiana University (1902-1937), wrote to Sam. Bryan was a cousin to Joseph Bryan, a friend of Twain’s and a Mississippi River pilot from 1850-1900.

Here is a question. A man writes. Succeeds. Wins admiration far and wide. Wins finally the deep affection of thousands of men and women. A few of these can let him know. A few others try and fail, blundering about in the attempt. Most of the thousands are necessarily forever silent. Their feeling for him is an immeasurable electric charge which can never strike his lightening rod. / But does it? That is my question. Does he somehow sometimes sense the innumerable unknown friendships which he has made? Does he sometimes in the most sorrowful night of loneliness pick up like a Marconi tower the streams of attention, of friendliness, flowing toward him? / My scientific Geist says no. But I hope he may have some equivalent experience [MTP].

March 29 Friday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to Lilian W. Aldrich.

I cannot realize it. That that lovely spirit has gone out of our lives for ever, does seem so impossible. And we never shall realize it—this I know, for I have learned. The day will never come when we shall cease to hear his step & see his smile. How we loved him!

It grieved me that I could not go to Boston; but I was not well, & was exhausted by the sea-passage, & should have been obliged to take a midnight train—prohibitory conditions when one is old.

There is only one comfort for you & me—our stay here is not for long [MTP].

Sam also replied to the before Mar. 29 of William L. Bryan.

Assuming that I am that person, I think I may say that it is like this: when a fragment of star-material falls into our atmosphere it catches fire & lights up & smiles a friendly greeting to us as it passes—& we infer that there are others of its gracious disposition where it came from. We reason that they are there although we cannot see them. In my case I reason so—in recent times. For now that I have lost my star, my wife, & need kindnesses; & am old, & need the friendly word, letters like yours are coming to me—with increasing frequency—& I allow myself the very precious privilege of inferring that these letters do not speak for their writers alone, but for many friends who are invisible only because they do not cross my orbit. And so I do “sense the unknown friendships;” & not merely at intervals, but every day & all the time—& rightly & limitlessly thankful am I that this is so. My life is hardly real; it must surely be a dream, a fairy tale.

I thank you for those welcome words [MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “The King started for Mrs. Ladenburg’s Westbury L.I. home at 3:30. He’s going down with Colonel Harvey” [MTP TS 46]. Note: see Mar. 27 from Emily Ladenburg.

Ralph W. Ashcroft wrote on International Spiral Pin Co. letterhead to Miss Lyon.

“I enclose Telegraphone certificate of reservation of 100 shares of stock, good until April 1^st. There has been no agreement on our part, as yet, to take the stock. / When Mr. Clemens returns on Monday, tell him to ante up or throw in his hand, as that day is April 1^st. Rather a bad day to make an investment, I think!”[MTP].

 

James B. Gantt and Leroy B. Valliant wrote to Sam on State of Missouri Supreme Court letterhead, urging him “to deliver a lecture in aid of” the Daughters of the Confederacy in St. Louis [MTP].

William Dean Howells wrote to Sam.

Dear Clemens: / I have not the time or strength for the long wrestle with the Buon-Martini problem, and I am sending back the pamphlet. There would be glory in it, and I should like to share that with you; all the more glory because on the woman’s side the sorrow seems slopped up with sentimentalism, as I read the case; and sentimentalism is a part of every good woman which ought to be defended. However, I have merely sketched the thing through, recognizing my inability to co-operate. Yours ever … [MTHL 2: 824-5]. Note: source says the pamphlet and problem are unidentified. It may refer to a linguistic problem in Dante.

 

F.W. Moore wrote from Brooklyn, NY to Sam. For many years Moore had recited Sam’s sketch, “Buck Fanshaw’s Funeral” and never understood the phrase “…you see he’s dead again”—why again? [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “adding that word ‘again’ was a common thing out there—It can’t be explained & nobody knows how it came into use.”

March 30 Saturday – Isabel Lyon replied to Ferris Greenslet’s Mar. 26 request for letters of Thomas Bailey Aldrich: “We are a homeless family for so many years that not many letters were kept—but such as he has you are welcome to take—when Mr. Paine comes back in about a month” [MTP]. Note: this is catalogued “after Mar. 27,” the day of receipt, but is specifically given to Mar. 30 by Greenslet’s May 21 letter.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Seumas MacManus has written a sweet note to say he is sending books, 1 for the King, 1 for C.C. and 1 for me—his late wife’s poems.

Thereis a bowl of orchids in C.C.’s room. They are so beautiful that I am drunk with the tendernesses of their colors… [MTP TS 46-47; Gribben 445]. Note: Anna MacManus (Johnston) pseud. “Ethna Carbery,” The Four Winds of Eirinn. Poems by Ethna Carbery, Ed. by Seumas McManus (1902).

 

Charles A. Burkhardt for American Booksellers’ Assoc. wrote to invite Sam to be the guest of honor at their meeting on the evening of May 15. Sam was encouraged “to meet the men who sell your books” and speak to them [MTP].

W. Conyers Herring wrote on the SS Bermudian to Miss Lyon to decline joining her and Sam in their box the next day; the specific performance not given [MTP].

March 31 Sunday – The New York Times, p. SM3 ran a feature article, “Mark Twain’s Wanderings At An End.” Here is the first part of a narration that reviewed Mark Twain’s life and residences:

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “The King is away and it is very, very lonely. Easter Sunday too. Spending Sunday with Mrs. Ladenburg, he is” [MTP TS 47]. Note: Note: see Mar. 27, 28 from Emily Ladenburg widow of Adolf Ladenburg, influential NY banker. TS error shows her as “Ladenbury.”

Albert I. Frye wrote from Brooklyn to Sam. Only the first page survives.

About two or three years ago I submitted a manuscript to a publisher who copyrighted the book without my knowledge, not even submitting to me a proof of the title page. I should like, in my forthcoming book, to have copyright protection if it can be secured without engaging a special train, grabbing the first two copies that leave the press, and hurrying to the Capitol [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Answrd. Apr. 5 ‘07”

Jervis Langdon II wrote on Hope-Jones Organ Co., Elmira letterhead to Sam, “looking forward to your arrival here Tuesday with more pleasure than I can express.” He gave train times and thought Sam would “enjoy an hour or two” with the organists [MTP].

Albert B. Paine wrote on City Hotel stationery, Sonora, Calif. to Sam.

Goodman and I have just returned from Jackass Hill and Gulch and if we had picked all the year over we could not have had a more beautiful time for a trip. The weather is perfect….We found Billy Gillis at Tuttletown and Steve Gillis at Jackass Hill where mining still pays…Steve Gillis is wonderfully clear-eyed & smart and brimming over with fun. He talked over the old times and laughed until the tears came. But he is in a bad way. Repeated surgical operations have put him to bed, permanently, and he says that his time is short [MTP]. Note: Editorial emphasis on names.

April – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam inscribed an aphorism in Vol. 1 of the Hillcrest Edition of his works to Julia Langdon Barber: “To be good is noble; but to show others how to be good is nobler—and less trouble. / Mark Twain / Mrs. A.L. Barber, May, 1907” [MTP].  

 

Sam also inscribed in a copy of CS to Dorothy Butes: “For Dorothy, / with the affectionate regards of / The Author. / April/07” [MTP]. Note: See Apr. 22 for inscription of CS also to Butes, which suggests this also done that day.  

 

Lady Augusta Gregory inscribed a copy of her book, Cuchulain of Muirthemne: The Story of the Men of the Red Branch of Ulster (1902): “To Mark Twain— / With kind remembrances / from Augusta Gregory— / Apr 1907” [Gribben 277].

Andrew Lang’s article, “Mark Twain,” ran in the Albany Review (London) for April, p. 35-43. Tenney: “A general account of MT’s works, which Lang first encountered while riding on a train with his friend and tutor Benjamin Jowett (later Master of Balliol); Lang ‘shrieked and exploded with laughter’ over ‘The Celebrated Jumping Frog,’ then handed it over to his companion. ‘He read through it with perfect solemnity combined with disapproval, and returned it to me without a word.’ Of MT’s works, TS is the Iliad, HF ‘the Odyssey, of life, not of boy’s life only,’ but ‘I have never read, and never will read,’ CY ” [44].

April 1 Monday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “The King came back today with Col. Harvey and he seemed tired. These visitings are a little hard on him. After all he says, “His own bed is so much the best one for him and his own atmosphere” [MTP TS 47].

Carl Kelsey for American Academy of Political and Social Sciences wrote to Sam [MTP]. Note: See Apr. 5 for Sam’s reply.

Nikolai V. Chaikovsky for Friends of Russian Freedom wrote to thank Sam for the use of his name for their General Committee, and to warn him about Tcherep-Spiridovitch. “He is no more ‘Count’ or ‘General’ than I am’ [MTP].

Howard Brubaker for Friends of Russian Freedom wrote to thank Sam for the use of his name for their General Committee [MTP].

Albert Scott Cox wrote to Sam on Ontario Hotel stationery, Chicago, to ask his help in publishing “a long series” about “literary men,” sending Sam drawings to approve [MTP].

Carl Kelsey for the American Academy of Political & Social Science, Phila. wrote to ask Sam if he could enroll him as a member. The Academy addressed such social issues as child labor laws [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “My membership would be purely ornamental &therefore valueless. Have retired from the activities of life. I did not retire until I had been in the harness 40 years & concluded that I had done my share—that I have not retired in reality but I have all the work on my hands that I can attend to & that I mustn’t add any thing to it.”

April 2 Tuesday – Sam took what would be his last trip to Elmira, N.Y. to visit friends and family. He would attend an organ recital at the request of Jervis Langdon II, and speak at Park Church, the following day [Jerome & Wisbey 79-80].

Clara Clemens returned to N.Y.C. from Atlantic City and “stopped briefly” on the way to Katonah, N.Y. to see Jean. She would return on Apr. 6 and leave again on Apr. 8 [Hill 170].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Santa [Clara] came back from Atlantic City—hating it—and started at once for Katonah. Today the King started off for Elmira—a sense-of-duty visit, and he was sorry that he had to make it. He went up to hear the great new organ, and to make his last visit there. He hates the place now and all the people too—except the Stanchfields and Mrs. Crane [MTP TS 47]. Note: Sam intended this to be his last trip to Livy’s hometown, according to this entry. Just whom he disliked is not clear from this entry.  

Harper & Brothers wrote to Sam. “We enclose an invitation from Mr. Charles A. Burkhardt, Chairman of the Committee of American Booksellers’ Association, to attend the Seventh Annual Banquet…on May 15^th” [MTP]. After April 2 Sam wrote on Harper’s letter: “have accepted an invitation to go South for a while at about that date, & if back in time will be glad to be at that dinner”.

Schoolboy Harold S. Loeb wrote from Phila. to Sam on William Penn Charter School stationery to ask for an autograph. He liked Tom Sawyer best [MTP].

Joe Twichell wrote to Sam.

 

Mark Mavourneen; / A week from next Sunday (Apl 14^th) I am added in duty at a Royal Legion Memorial service in your city. Harmony also is expected. You, of course, are our first choice as host for the two nights and interesting day we shall be there…If you can take us in, say so. If, to your sorrow, you cannot, say so [MTP]. Note: “Mavourneen” means “My Darling” in Gaelic. Joe and Harmony Twichell visited on Apr. 13 and left on Apr. 15 [IVL TS 52-53].

April 3 Wednesday – In Elmira, N.Y. Sam attended a recital of the unique Robert Hope-Jones organ in Park Church. Jerome & Wisbey write:

It was on April 3, 1907…that this instrument was put through its melodic paces for probably the most critical audience that could be assembled—a group of New York’s leading organists. They came to Elmira in a special car on the Lackawanna….

      The 1907 recital was the idea of Jervis Langdon [II] who had an interest in the Hope-Jones concern as well as an interest in the affairs of this church. It was his theory…that if someone of note added tone to the occasion, it might help peddle an organ or two…. The someone he had in mind was his Uncle Sam Clemens, also a Hope-Jones stockholder, along with J. Sloat Fassett, Charles J. Langdon, John B. Stanchfield—to mention a few. Mr. Langdon was right, both about the drawing power of the famous Beecher organ and the magnetism of his distinguished Uncle Sam.

      And so, Uncle Sam came to Elmira on April 2 and the newspapers announced that Mark Twain was in town and interviewed him and printed his picture….

….

[Rev.] Max Eastman, who was in the audience, has described how Mark Twain, handsome of face, his white hair like a halo, made his way in his loping gait to this platform…to convulse the organists with a typical Mark Twain speech.

      Here’s what he said as reported in The Advertiser…and as recalled by Max Eastman…. The springboard for the speech was a statement in Jervis Langdon’s introduction that his love of music had been inspired in early childhood by hearing Mark Twain sing an old song, “Darby & Joan.” 

     

“Well now, Jervis,” began Mark Twain, “I must emphatically deny that statement, for I never sang ‘Darby & Joan.’ Certainly I never sang it.

      “Now, isn’t imagination a precious thing? It peoples the earth with all manner of wonders, strange beasts and birds, angels, cherubim and seraphim. And it has to be exercised. No child should be permitted to grow up without exercise for the imagination. It enriches life for him. It makes things wonderful and beautiful. It awakens an interest in church organs and all sorts of things. You can see what it has for Jervis just to sit on my knee and exercise his imagination. And so, now, looking back, I’m glad…I didn’t sing.

…. 

“I must express my astonishment at Jervis,” went on Mark Twain, “for taking advantage of this occasion and of you organists to advertise his new company. And I am astonished at my old friend, Mr. Brockway.

“Here he is boldly offering for sale the sites that he has got around here for country residences. Look at Mr. Brockway. You can’t find a more benevolent, more kindly face anywhere around. This is plainly the effect of opposition. He has associated with criminals all his life, and look at what it’s done for him. If I had associated with criminals I might have such a face, too, but I’ve always been associated with Christians.

“Now if you know of any man in your locality in need of an occupation, just send them down to Mr. Brockway and he’ll fit them out with any trade or business from burglary clear over to political life [79-81]. Note: Zebulon R. Brockway, Elmira Mayor. Sam did not come to Elmira on the special Lackawanna car, but arrived the day before, Apr. 2. Sam had been persuaded to purchase $5,000 worth of stock in the Hope-Jones Organ factory [Ensor, MT & Hope-Jones 6]. 

Ensor writes: 

“By some accounts, Clemens left the church immediately after his talk and returned to the Langdon House, thus missing the rest of the day’s activities, including lunch at the City Club, the playing of the organ by several visitors, and a hurried visit to the Hope-Jones factory before the return trip to New York City. After all, Jervis Langdon had not asked that he stay the entire day—only ‘an hour or two.’ Clemens was on hand, though, for a photograph [see insert] taken in front of the north entrance to the church, in which he, Jervis Langdon, Robert Hope-Jones, Reverend Samuel Eastman, Mayor Brockway, and the visiting organists appear” [MT & Hope-Jones 12]. Note: John Daulby Peake was the organist of the Park Church. It’s unlikely that Sam went to Quarry Farm; more likely that Sue Crane went into Charley Langdon’s house for the visit.

 

The Elmira Advertiser, Apr. 4, p.5, ran an “interview” of sorts, “Cub Reporter Has Interview with Mark Twain: Humorist Asks Himself One Question”:

For an hour last evening [Apr. 3] the youngest reporter on the Advertiser, first by hints, then by pleadings, and finally by a direct demand sought an assignment to interview Mark Twain.

      “What do you wish to ask Mr. Clemens?” inquired the city editor.

      “Oh, I don’t know; I’ll think of something on the way up to General Langdon’s,” answered the scribe. “Wherever Mark Twain goes, they always interview him, don’t they?” and to this argument there was no convincing defense.

      So away started the reporter, smiling joyfully at his success in securing the assignment.

      “Ask him what he thinks of the new forward movement in Elmira,” finally directed the city editor.

      “Ask him what progress is being made with the movement toward the monument to Adam,” yelled a man at another desk.

      “Ask him to write an article on ‘How Best to Keep Elmira Going Ahead,’” came another voice from an inner corner of the office.

      “Ask Mr. Clemens if he wore his white suit from New York to Elmira,” said the telegraph editor, as the reporter, filled with the importance of his mission, finally fled from the office.

      But to obtain the much desired interview was found to be quite another matter. Resting after the fatigue of the day, Mr. Clemens was found in the handsome library of General Langdon’s Main Street home. Members of the family and Mr. Clemens had just finished dinner and the humorist was now smoking.

      To the Advertiser’s representative it was explained that Mr. Clemens positively could not be interviewed.

      “I have really nothing to say,” said the well-known former Elmiran. Then seeing the look of disappointment spreading over the face of his inquisitor, the hero of many a good story appeared to relent.

      “Will you really be badly disappointed if you can’t get something from me?” asked the veteran author, kindly.

      “Yes, I will,” came the answer stoutly, but with an uncontrollable quaver.

      “Well, then, I’ll tell you what we’ll do. I have not been ‘interviewed’ in a long time. In fact, I stopped being interviewed some time ago, but you just ask any questions you wish and answer them for yourself, and we’ll see how you manage it. But wait—ask me what I think of the new forward movement in Elmira, and I’ll tell you that I think it is one of the most gratifying things I have known of in a long time. I am delighted to observe the greatly changed aspect of things here, and I can to some extent, appreciate the effort it has cost. I think Elmira is the ideal location for our big new organ industry as well as for all the other new concerns you are endeavoring to bring here. I appreciate the honors that all wish to do me, but really, I would rather have my time to myself while here. I am just making a family visit and want to have all my time undisturbed.” [Scharnhorst 581-2]. Note: See Ensor for a more complete account of this event and of Mark Twain’s participation.

 Sam inscribed in a copy of CS to an unidentified person: “A true copy-test: / Mark Twain / April 3/07.” [MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s journal (in New York): I went to the opera tonight “Martha” with Mr. Wark. It was a delight to hear the old fashioned music again; and part of it was almost farcical, but that made it the lovelier—the more enjoyable [MTP TS 48]. Note: Charles E. Wark, Clara’s accompaniest.

Mark G. McElhinney wrote from Ottawa, Canada to Sam, “asking for nothing except the privilege of telling you how keenly I have enjoyed your writings, more especially your great satires” [MTP]. Note: See Apr. 16 for Sam’s instructions to Lyon for reply.

 

Joseph Folle wrote on Office of the Missouri Governor letterhead to Sam, again “anxious” to secure him as a speaker for the Daughters of the Confederacy in St. Louis [MTP].

James A. Renwick wrote receipt for April rent to Sam for $291.67 [MTP].

April 4 Thursday – Sam left Elmira and returned to N.Y.C. this evening. Isabel Lyon’s journal: “The King came home from Elmira tonight very tired and depressed, I think” [MTP TS 48].

Edith Elsie Baker for the Actors’ Fund of America wrote to Sam, asking for “a donation of a hundred or more copies of some short but effective speech, joke or epigram from Puddenhead Wilson or Huckleberry Finn printed on a card or parchment about 6 by 8 inches”—these from his publisher; they to sell them for 25 cents [MTP].

Frank Sutton wrote from NYC to Sam. “I am pleased to enclose the two prints of the photos that I took on the steamer at Bermuda,which I hope you will accept with my compliments” [MTP].

Mrs. W.G. Moore, President of the Confederate Monument Assoc. putting in her request along with others, for Sam to speak in St. Louis [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Answrd Apl. 16 ‘07”

Edwin Warfield wrote to Miss Lyon, grateful that Sam had accepted his invitation to visit at Annapolis [MTP].

April 5 Friday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam replied to Carl Kelsey’s Apr. 1.

My membership would be purely ornamental & therefore valueless. Have retired from the activities of life. I did not retire until I had been in the harness 40 years & concluded that I had done my share—that I have not retired in reality but I have all the work on my hands that I can attend to & that I mustn’t add any thing to it [MTP]. Note: Kelsey with Am. Academy of Political and Social Sciences.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Today I took Theresa out to Jean. Poor Jean and poor Theresa.

Yes, the King is depressed and tonight at dinner said that he wouldn’t go again to Elmira. He couldn’t.

We went over to the Gilders this evening and saw Mme. Modjeska and T.A. Janvier and Jeannette Gilder. It was a charming break, for I had such a good chat with J. Gilder, who had on a black velvet masculine gown. The family came up and patted her approvingly, and she said to me, “You know I have a horror of being overdressed.” Tom Janvier seems full of vanities and withal a pugnacious creature. Nowadays I want to fight him for he will find flaws in situations or statements. The King was in white and beautiful—though tired—and just as we were leaving I had a word with Mme. Modjeska, who longed to talk with pretty natural gestures, of C.C. and the King. Gabrilowitsch went in just as we were leaving. We talked about Redding—J. Gilder and I [MTP TS 48]. Note: Thomas Allibone Janvier, writer; Helena Modjeska famous actress. The Richard Watson Gilders had a gathering that was rather open every Friday evening. Lyon often went; Sam occasionally.

Daniel Carter Beard wrote from Flushing, NY to Sam on “The Sons of Daniel Boone” letterhead, advising of his organizing Boone clubs, each chapter to keep “an old gun as a tally gun, on the stock of which they cut a notch…I have made a few Top Notches, one of which will be the Roosevelt Notch, one the Dewey Notch, one the Bell Notch, after General Bell, of Kentucky.” Beard wanted to use the Mark Twain notch for moral courage [MTP]. Note: After Apr. 5 Sam wrote instructions for Lyon to respond: “Thank him for the honor—but tell him I haven’t any suggestions to make.”

John Mead Howells wrote to Sam. “We hand you herewith copy of prints of the ¼” scale drawings of your house and of your stable…We enclose a few notes of decisions arrived at at our last meeting with Miss Lyon”  [MTP].

Chapters  from “My Autobiography—XV” ran in the N.A.R. p.673-82.

 

April 6 Saturday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam inscribed an aphorism in a copy of JA to Helen Fulton: “To / Miss Helen Fulton / with the respectful salutations / of the Author. On the whole it is better to deserve honors & not have them, than to have them & not deserve them. / Truly Yours / Mark Twain/ New York, April 6/07.” [MTP].

Sam also inscribed a copy of CS to Mary Thacher Higginson: “To / Mrs. Thomas Wentworth Higginson / with the warm regards of / The Autho / April 6/07.” [MTP].

Sam also inscribed a copy of JA to Katy Murray: “To / Katy Murray / from the oldest member  of the household / The Author. On the whole it is better to deserve honors & not have them, than to have them & not deserve them. / Truly Yours / Mark Twain/ New York, April 6/07.” [MTP].

Sam also inscribed a copy of JA to Catherine Gregory: “To / Catherine Gregory / from her friend / The Author. / On the whole it is better to deserve honors & not have them, than to have them & not deserve them. / Truly Yours / Mark Twain/ April 6/07.” [Sotheby’s Auction 10 July 2003, Item 161271, Lot 200]. The source notes: “The recipient Catherine Gregory, who emigrated to America from Ireland when fifteen years old, was personal maid to Clemens for approximately five years. Her aunt Miss Catherine [Katy] Leary also worked for Clemens at around the same time, probably as housekeeper.”

Clara Clemens returned from Katonah, N.Y. She would leave again in two days [Hill 170].

Spectator ran an anonymous review, “Mark Twain on Christian Science,” p. 536-7. Tenney: “A review of CHRISTIAN SCIENCE, a chaotic book which will tire and confuse readers even though most will accept MT’s conclusions. ‘It appears that criticism of any sort is not Mark Twain’s métier,’ and his argument from internal evidence that Mary Baker Eddy did not write SCIENCE AND HEALTH is weak. ‘Altogether, this book is unfortunate. Uproarious passages in it which have all Mark Twain’s old drollery and delightful extravagance tell us that his great comic powers are unimpaired. They wait to be reapplied successfully’” [Tenney: “A Reference Guide Second Annual Supplement,” American Literary Realism, Autumn 1978 p. 174].

 

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Delightful letter from A.B.P. All my day I spent with C.C. shopping. She came in from Katonah and C.E.W. went around with us. We went to see Mary Lawton as the Firefly in “When we were 21”. She was very handsome and acted very well—but is too big—she dominates the stage [MTP TS 49].

Fritz Engel wrote a one-page letter from Berlin, in German on The Berliner Tageblatt Editorial Feature letterhead. Since they were not in possession of Sam’s exact address, they counted on his popularity for the letter to reach his hands. They requested his opinion of the Tageblatt sent [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Answd Apl 17 ’07”; Notes by Holger Kersten, who translated the letter:

Fritz Engel (1867-1935), German journalist, theater critic, and writer of plays and poems. Worked for the Berliner Tageblatt until 1933; starting in 1890, he was editor of Ulk, a humorous supplement to Berliner Tageblatt; a member of several cultural and literary societies; edited books on George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde, Shakespeare as well as a number of lesser known German authors [Source: Archiv Bibliographia Judaica [ed.]. Lexikon deutsch-jüdischer Autoren [Encyclopedia of German-Jewish Authors]. Vol. 6: Dore – Fein. 20 vols. München: Saur, 1998: 366-371.]

Charles J. Langdon sent Sam a draft of $44.34, his one third proportion of the rent due from the Buffalo property for March and April. “It was a very great delight, your recent visit with us here…” [MTP].

Dora Wheeler Keith wrote from NYC to Sam. “I have gotten out the sketch of Mrs. Clemens & Jean from the old house where I have stored it—& I am now putting it in shape, as it is very much out of order. I wonder could you let me have any photographs you have of Mrs. Clemens—to work up the arm & hair from?” [MTP].

April 7 Sunday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: Gabrilowitsch was here this evening and played for a long time—played that great Schubert Sonata.

Mr. Clemens and I went over to see Miss Harrison in Bklyn. She sent her mobile over for us and the trip was a long and dreary one; for we had to be stopped short at every corner by children who tried to get under the wheels. But Miss H’s home is very nice and her mother is sweet.

. . .

There are those who like to say that Gabrilowitsch is as great as Paderewski, but when I listen to the former, I find myself criticising, I don’t know what, whereas with Paderewski, I am enthralled with the great spirit of his music & don’t care how it is done [MTP TS 49-50].

 

Benjamin R. Tucker, publisher and bookseller, NYC wrote to Sam, sending a copy of The Ego and His Own, by Max Steiner. “Whatever you … may think of the book, I am sure that pp. 395-405 will command themselves to Mark Twain” [MTP]. Note: Sam replied on Apr. 24 [Gribben 662].

April 8 Monday – Sam attended the Manhattan Club for a dinner honoring Charlemagne Tower, now Ambassador to Germany. The banquet was organized by Herman Ridder of the Staats-Zeitung. Several speeches were given, including one by Tower. The New York Times, Apr. 9, p.2, “Tariff Peace Near With The Kaiser” listed Samuel L. Clemens among the guests. On Apr. 10 Sam wrote a note, now judged to be to Tower, concerning a special correspondent for the Century, Robert Haven Schauffler, who was going to Germany. Sam met Tower during his stay in Vienna, then ambassador to Austria.

 

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Santa left and Mr. Clemens went with Mr. Rogers to the Charlemagne Tower Dinner given by the Staatsgeitung Staff.

Mother and I dined at the Brevoort and had champagne for tired mother. She was disappointed to find she could drink 2 glasses and not find affects.

Today Mr. Clemens didn’t dictate, so I sent Hobby to work on checks and things, while he read “Wapping Alice” that darling condemned sketch, to me.

It has got to go into print as Auto — or as something for it is perfectly delightful [MTP TS 50].

Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP.  

Clara Clemens left again [IVL above]; Hill writes that during this period “She dashed between Tuxedo, Redding, and Fifth Avenue, and from June 29 to July 8 took a trip with Miss Lyon to Halifax, Nova Scotia” [170].

 

April 9 Tuesday – Minnie Maddern Fiske wrote from NYC to Sam.

May I beg that you will read the enclosed newspaper clippings and letters? They explain themselves. The letter from the man in Oregon was written to Mr. Stillman the President of the American Human[e] Association in Albany. Let me be as brief as possible. A few of us who are interested and hope that a reform of this terrible abuse of animals may be effected, called a meeting the other day in Washington. There is to be an organization devoted to the effort after this reform [MTP]. Note: on the env. of  news clippings, (Mar. 10, NY Tribune; Feb. 19, NY Evening Post) Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Relating to the freezing of stock on Western cattle-ranges.”

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Dr. and Mrs. Rice dined here and after dinner the men played billiards. The Rices wanted to talk Redding house but Mr. Clemens refuses to discuss the subject. He won’t allow himself to be informed or consulted; he will pay the bills and that’s all he will do, but when the house is finished then he will go to it. It astounds his questioning friends to hear him answer, “I don’t know” to every question they ask about the house or the property. He doesn’t want to see it, or hear anything about it. He leaves all the affairs now with John Howells and me, for Santa has passed with approval upon the plans, etc. [MTP TS 50].

Ernest Hendrie wrote from London, England to Miss Lyon, her letter of Mar. 29 in hand. Hendrie referred to an agreement with Elisabeth Marbury about producing “Hadleyburg” on stage [MTP].

John Y. W. MacAlister wrote to advise Sam that the power of attorney requested was being prepared by the lawyers and would be sent on.

By same post I am sending you a sweet thing on polygamy in South Africa. The unctious correctitude of these missionaries with regard to an ancient institution, which was enjoyed—or otherwise,—by the founders of their own religion, is as humorous as anything intentionally funny I ever read, always, of course, excepting our own “copy” [MTP].

Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP.  

April 10 Wednesday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to Ambassaodor Charlemagne Tower:

Dear Excellenz: / This is the young gentleman I spoke to you about night before last—Mr. Robert Haven Schauffler. He will explain to you his “Century”-mission to the Vaterland—a matter which promises to be of interest & value to both Germany & America.

Yours was a most admirable speech & I was glad to hear it; but as to the others——— / Sincerely yours [MTP]. Note: the MTP catalogs this to “unidentified.” See Apr. 8 for the event spoken of here. Robert Haven Schauffler (1879-1964), author, lecturer, and musician, was at this time a special contributor to Century, and Outlook, and Success. He was a Princeton graduate who studied in 1902-3 in Berlin, and an accomplished cellist.

Isabel V. Lyon wrote for Sam to Harriet E. Whitmore, making tentative plans for them to return the recent visit and come to Hartford for a few days. Sam was waiting to know if he had to keep an engagment made ten days before; if he did not he would accept their invitation [MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Mr. and Mrs. Wayland and Paddy Maddern [sic Madden] dined here and we had a very good time, though it seemed as if they would never go. Mr. Wayland is fine, and Mrs. W. is a “sport”, and Paddy was pretty and absolutely empty headed. Mr. Clemens wanted to read “Wapping Alice”—but he felt it was too delicately indelicate for Paddy and so we went right up toe the billiard room where the men played a gentle game and Mr. Wayland told a story… [MTP TS 51]. Note: story excised here.

Marjorie Bowen wrote from London, England to thank Sam for his letter; she was “very proud to have your name on my book” [MTP].

Joseph B. Gilder for Putnam’s Monthly wrote to ask Sam for sittings for their young artist, W.D. Paddock, the portrait for the magazine [MTP]. Note: After Apr. 10 Sam replied on Gilder’s letter: “I am under engagement now to sit for a portrait. Could not add another. Cannot subject himself to fatigue of another—not strong enough” [MTP].

John Larkin wrote to invite Sam to visit on Wed. night Apr. 17 at 8 p.m. [MTP]. Note: After Apr. 10 he gave instructions on how to answer Larkin’s invite. “Thank them ever so much time is filled up—doesn’t know that he will be able to keep all the engagements” [MTP].

Corrie Scheffer wrote from NYC to ask Sam for his portrait [MTP].

Edward Anthony Spitzka, M.D. wrote to Sam. “Just to take away the taste of my ‘Encephalic Anatomy of the Races’ I send you the enclosed contribution with the hope that the reading of it will assuage the ire aroused by the terminology employed…” [MTP]. Note: see Apr.16 for Sam’s reply.

Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP.    

April 11 Thursday – William Dean Howells forwarded to Sam a letter he’d rec’d from Brand Whitlock, dated Apr. 8 from Toledo, Ohio, in which he remarked on how Sam’s Autobiographicals in the N.A.R. reminded him of the “delightful afternoon” spent with him at Sewall’s Bridge. See MTHL 2: 825 for details; see also Aug. 9, 1902. Whitlock was a devoted young friend of Howells. 

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Mr. and Mrs. Stanchfield dined here” [MTP TS 51].

Nikolai V. Chaikovsky for Friends of Russian Freedom wrote to Sam, enclosing a clipping from the NY Times, Apr. 7, 1907, “Spiridovitch’s Mission.” Chaikovsky continued to discredit Spiridovitch: “Now in possession of all this information don’t you think that your name has been very improperly and unscrupulously used either by this adventurer himself or by some of his dupes, and I shall not be surprised if he makes still further use of it in the European press unless you put an abrupt and public stop to this proceeding” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Answrd Apr. 16, ‘07”

 

Edith Elsie Baker for the Actors’ Fund of America wrote to Miss Lyon, “delighted to have the day and hours set for his appearance with us” [MTP].

 

Jervis Langdon II wrote to Sam, issuing another 20% call for stock in the Hope-Jones Organ Co., which in Sam’s case was $1,000 [MTP].

Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP.  

 

April 12 Friday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: Here I am missing the sweetest of all sweet chroniclings—the daily life of the King. But I have been so busy, for there is this house to look after, and the Tuxedo house to think of and plan for, and the Redding house to be after too, and Santa to love and be with when she was here and do for, and Jean to be anxious over and to help if I can and her doctors to see, and the King’s social life to look after—for in these days he is very lonely and reaches out for people—and people he must have, so now I’m planning parties for him.

Later  The King has just been up here to ask if I have sent off the Auto installments for the May N.A. Review. But I haven’t yet, for I’m reading them first and “Jim Wolf and the Cats” with extracts from Susy’s Biography make a good number.

Oh, I’m so happy. The King dropped down into my chair with his sweet droop of figure, and I hated to see him walk away again [MTP TS 52].

Frank T. Searight for American Press Humorists, Los Angeles wrote to Sam, inviting him to their annual meeting and advising of a monument at Laramie,Wyo. For the late Bill Nye [MTP]. Note: see Apr. 18 for his reply.

 

Harper & Brothers wrote to Sam asking his “formal assent to making the usual arrangement with the Tauchnitz Library for the publication of your ‘$30,000 Bequest,’ for an outright payment of Fifty Pounds… the edition not to be sold outside the Continent” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Yes, I am willing, but I have the vague impression that they have always paid a hundred pounds heretofore.”

 

Review of Reviews wrote to Sam that they were sending the of Home Medical Library, just published, and “If when you have looked over the six volumes you care to send us your opinion, we should very much appreciate it” [MTP]. The Home Medical Library, 6 vols., Ed. Kenelm Winslow and 10 “assisted by’s” (1907); Sam later donated the set to the Mark Twain Library in Redding.

April 13 Saturday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: My hands are full and my outlet for superfluous emotions just now is my Boyagians and their “something junk”. They have thrown at me such delightful things. A marvel of a huge strange old candlestick for 50¢. Mother and I have sat around it and wondered what it’s history must be.

Mr. and Mrs. Twichell arrived and I’m so tired—so tired. They are nice and dear, but killingly hard to entertain, for Mr. Twichell’s deafness is increasing [MTP TS 52].

Louis Blanding wrote on City Hotel, Columbia, Calif. stationery to advise Sam of the death of James (Jim) Norman Gillis. Blanding was an officer of the Ophir Mining Co. at the time Sam was writing for the Enterprise. He noted an enclosed clipping of Gillis’ death but it is not in the file [MTP].

Anna S. Thatcher wrote from East Orange High School, NJ to advise Sam that her German Dept. would put on Sam’s farce, “Meisterschaft” on Apr. 20 for the benefit of their new athletic field. Ticket sales were so “enormous” that they had to put on a second show for Apr. 22 [MTP].

An unidentified person (female?) signed “Sold Down the River,” wrote to Sam from Santa Barbara, Calif. after having read CS. “As regards Mrs. Eddy you must understand that on the 4^th July 1901, the spirit of Napoleon 1^st of France was allowed to occupy the mortal body of Mrs. Eddy for a period of time which will expire on July 4^th 1908—I am not yet sufficiently advanced in Planetary Science to know what will happen about then, but I think Mrs. E. will probably die” [MTP].

April 14 Sunday – With William Dean Howells and Daniel Frohman and 800 children, Sam attended a matinee performance of P&P by The Educational Alliance, Children’s Theatre, N.Y.C.  and gave a curtain speech. The New York Times, p.9, “Mark Twain Tells of Being an Actor” reported:  

MARK TWAIN TELLS OF BEING AN ACTOR

———

He Sees His Own “The Prince and the Pauper,” and Relates Story of 22 Years Ago.

———

STAGE SPEECH CUT SHORT

———

He Managed to Narrate, However,

That Once He Played Miles Hendon—Sees Educational Alliance Show.

 

Samuel L. Clemens—“Mark Twain”—in his white suit, sat in the audience that witnessed yesterday afternoon the Educational Alliance’s performance of the play made from his book, “The Prince and the Pauper,” in the theatre of the Alliance Building in East Broadway. Beside him was William Dean Howells, and nearby Daniel Frohman, and Miss Clemens. The rest of the audience, some 800 in all, was composed largely of the children of the neighborhood.

After the second act, the curtain was raised to disclose Mr. Clemens in his white suit. He made a speech in which he referred to his own playing of the role of Miles Hendon, and complimented the Alliance on its theatre. He was about to tell a story which he said had been told by his friend Kate Douglas Wiggin, when from the players, looking out at him from the wings and entrances to he set, applause came. Mr. Clemens looked about, puzzled for a moment, when a young woman, entering by the left upper entrance into full view of the audience, went quite close to him and began to talk to him in an undertone.

“I must apologize,” said Mr. Clemens.

Again the young woman said something in a tone not audible to those in front.

Anxious to Tell His Story.

“I only want to tell this story and then I’ll stop,” Mr. Clemens said to her.

After he had told a story about a Negro who had got a marriage license with the wrong woman’s name on it, and had then decided to marry that woman rather than pay two dollars for a new license “as there wasn’t two dollars’ difference between the two women,” he left the stage and the curtain was lowered.

The speech that had been interrupted began in a vein of family reminiscence.

“I have not enjoyed a play so much, so heartily, and so thoroughly,” said the author, “since I played Miles Hendon twenty-two years ago. I used to play in this piece with my children, who, twenty-two years ago, were little youngsters. One of my daughters was the Prince, and a neighbor’s daughter was the Pauper, and the children of other neighbors played other parts. But we never gave such a performance as we have seen here today. It would have been beyond us.

“My late wife was the dramatist and stage manager. Our coachman was the stage manager, second in command. We used to play it in this simple way, and the one who used to bring in the crown on a cushion—he was a little fellow then—is now a clergyman way up high—six or seven feet high—and growing higher all the time. We played it well, but not as well as you see it here, for you see it done by practically trained professionals.

Never Remembered His Part.

“I was especially interested in the scene which we have just had, for Miles Hendon was my part. I did it as well as a person could who never remembered his part. The children all knew their parts. They did not mind if I did not know mine. I could thread a needle nearly as well as the player did whom you saw today. The words of my part I could supply on the spot. The words of the song that Miles Hendon sang here I did not catch. But I was great in that song.”

….

Theatres Public Education

“If we had forty theaters of this kind in this city of 4,000,000, how they would educate and elevate! We should have a body of educated theater-goers.

“It would make better citizens, honest citizens. One of the best gifts a millionaire could make would be a theater here and a theater there. It would make of you a real Republic, and bring about an educational level.

Then Mr. Clemens went on to quote from a speech of Kate Douglas Wiggin, when he was interrupted.

….

Alice Minnie Herts, in her 1911 reminiscence, recalled the event:

      When “The Prince and the Pauper” neared production members of the second, third, and fourth casts who attended rehearsals found the play so interesting that they suggested an invitation be sent to Mr. Clemens, asking him to come and see what had been done to make his story live. An invitation was sent, to which Mr. Clemens responded at once, saying he would come, and asking the privilege of purchasing tickets for several friends, in whose company he attended the first matinee performance.

His deep interest was immediate and unbounded, and, moreover, his broad, sympathetic mind quickly grasped the fact that the play had grown to be only the final expression of the deep, underlying educational principle, which its production adequately enunciated.

After seeing his play he responded enthusiastically to a request of the players to give a special evening performance for his friends, in the hope that some wealthy person or persons might be interested to suitably subsidize this unique and practical method of providing the best means of entertainment for young men, women, and children.

In the hope of playing at this invitation performance, vast numbers of people worked steadily during the summer of 1908 [1907], and the performance was given on the evening of November 19th of that year.

…

At the termination of the first performance of “The Prince and the Pauper” Mr. William Dean Howells, who accompanied Mr. Clemens to see the play, was asked how he enjoyed it. He replied, “The play behind the footlights was admirably well done, yet I believe I enjoyed the play in front qute as well” [60, 72-3].

Zwick also writes about Clemens and the Children’s Theater:

      Mark Twain’s involvement with the Children’s Theater is particularly interesting in relation to his deterministic “private philosophy,” What Is Man?  In that work and other shorter writings published in his last ten years, Twain described the roles of “inborn disposition,” “environment,” “influences,” and “training.” Although his writings on those topics have been described as pessimistic and fatalistic, Twain only sw the “inborn disposition” as unchangeable. In support of the Children’s Theater, he put his “private philosophy” to work by focusing on he “influences” and “training” that might determine which parts of the “inborn disposition” would become dominant [“Mark Twain and the Children’s Theater” http://wenku.baidu.com]. Note: Zwick also states that after seeing this matinee performance, Clemens “offered to organize a benefit performance, and on Nov. 19, 1907, the children performed before an audience of some of the most prominent people of the day.” See Nov. 19 entry.

Alice Minnie Herts wrote on Children’s Theatre Educational Alliance stationery to thank Sam for his visit at their performance of P&P [MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Prince & Pauper. Mrs. Sallie for dinner” [MTP TS 53]. Note: “Mrs. Sallie” was Mrs. Collier, perhaps a nickname. See Dec. 5, 1908 Guestbook entry.

J.M. Diven wrote from Peoria, Ill. to Sam after reading of his billiard skills in the NAR Auto. segment. Diven enclosed a diagram for a trick shot and told how he’d been able to beat experts at it [MTP].

Mary Thacher Higginson (Mrs. Thomas Wentworth Higginson) wrote from Cambridge, Mass. to Sam to thank him for her copy of CS with her name written in it. She was sorry they wouldn’t see him in Dublin this summer [MTP].

Julia Langdon Loomis wrote from NYC to thank Sam “for this most delightful and remarkable afternoon. You were very dear to make room for Edward and I. The Hoffmans are very charming and Mr Hoffman is the man of whom I told you a year ago, the young Editor of “Tales,” and a person who would much rather meet you for a half-hour’s talk than go ‘round the world or to Heaven” [MTP].

Note: The National Arbitration and Peace Congress met from Apr. 14 to 17 at Carnegie Hall. Many foreign delegates attended, including C.F. Moberly Bell, manager of the London Times. Sam had expressed little interest in joining world peace movements before (see Vienna entries for Bertha von Suttner, founder of the Austrian Friends of Peace), but he may have attended. No record was found, however; no mention in Miss Lyon’s journal. It was during or shortly after this Congress that the New York Times gave a luncheon for Bell that Sam did attend. It was there that he answered Bell’s query about when he might return to London with the seed that may have led to his honorary Oxford degree: “When Oxford bestows its degree upon me!” [Hill 166].

April 15 Monday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Twichells go” [MTP TS 53].

Frederick D. Evans wrote from Fort McDowell, Calif. to Sam being bothered by a statement Sam made in “Concerning the Jews”some four years before, he thought in Harper’s Magazine. “That you had no prejudice against any nationality—save one. / What is that one?” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Quote the paragraph / no recollection / explain it if he can”

Joseph B. Gilder wrote to Sam for Putnam’s Monthly. “I am sorry some one else has a prior claim on you as a ‘sitter,’ but do not despair of having Mr. Paddock make a portrait of you later on. I have arranged with Mr. Howells to sit for a portrait…” [MTP].

Editors of the N.Y. Times Clemens an invitation to meet C.F. Moberly Bell, Mgr. Of the London Times, at dinner Apr. 15, 8 p.m. [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Larken / Sorry but I haven’t a vacant hour between this & the time I go away for the summer on the 3^rd of May / ask priv of coming a little late.  Should be able to get there in time.”

Anna M. Laise Phillips wrote to Sam asking for “a few brief sentences by mail” she might read to her graduating class of the Laise-Phillips School, “young women of wealth and culture” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Calls come every day / Answrd Apr. 24 ‘07”

 

April 16 Tuesday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam gave instructions to Lyon for reply to Mark G. McElhinney’s Apr. 3. “Thank him for his letter & say that by & by when his philosophy is printed he will send him a confidential copy” [MTP].

Sam also replied by writing on Dr. Edward Anthondy Spitzka’s Apr. 10. “Well, I read the other one, & got some thing out of it for the C. S. book. Glad to have it. Life’s getting a little dull lately, & nothing excites me like the encephalic” [MTP].

George Wharton James wrote to Miss Lyon. “Has Gessford sent in the photos to be autographed yet?”[MTP].

Grace S. Paley wrote on Hotel Colonial stationery, NYC, somewhat of a begging letter to Sam. Could she see him and explain her “somewhat peculiar” circumstances? She was glad he wrote “The Dog’s Tale” [MTP].

April 17 Wednesday – Sam’s A.D. of one year later noted the anniversary: “a fortunate day, a golden day, and my heart has never been empty of grandchildren since.” Cooley writes:  

The specific reference is to his meeting Dorothy Butes, a fourteen-year-old English girl, whose mother asked if they might briefly visit Mark Twain during their travels in America. Clemens described Dorothy as “simple, sincere, frank and straightforward, as became her time in life” (MTAD, 17 April 1908). Although his correspondence with Dorothy was limited, he considered her, not Gertrude Natkin, his first angelfish [MTAq 33]. Note: editorial emphasis.

The New York Post-Graduate Medical School wrote to invite Sam to dinner at Delmonico’s Apr. 17 at 7 p.m. [MTP]. Note: On or after Apr. 17 Sam replied it wasn’t likely he could attend, but if he found he could at the last moment, he would, but “please don’t reserve a place for me” [MTP].

Sam also wrote to Harper & Brothers. “Yes, I am willing, but I have the vague impression that the Tauchnitz Library have always paid a hundred pounds heretofore. Very truly yours….” [MTP].

 

R.D. Jones wrote from Radium, Greensville Co., Va. to Sam, enclosing a copy of a title page from a book with two engravings, one a picture of Captain Morgan. Jones wanted to know the value of the book [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Column in Daily Sun where all such thing are intelligently answered”

Jervis Langdon II wrote to thank Sam for his remittance of $1,000 on his subscription to the Hope-Jones Organ Co. Jervis wrote two glowing paragraphs of the company’s progress [MTP].

 

J.A. McM. (not further identified) wrote from West Lynn, Mass. to Sam.

Apropos of your very entertaining little book on ‘English as she is Taught’—the following true story fits in well—A teacher asked her class of boys to tell the difference between herself and a clock. A bright little urchin in the rear row raised his hand and said—‘You have a face and the clock has a face, and you have got hands and the clock has got hands, and—and (reflecting) the clock has got a pendoodleum and you ain’t” [MTP].

 

Note: Sam wrote on the letter: “Preserve this. Frame it. It is the second time in 40 years that a stranger has done me a courtesy & charged me nothing for it. Such a thing is usually accompanied by the man’s address, so that I can pay him a hundred dollars’ worth of thank-you for 2 cents’ worth of complimentary attention. SLC”

 

April 17 after – Mark G. McElhinney wrote an essay “The Broader View,” to Sam on two legal-sized pages, including this paragraph: “It has been stated by Mark Twain, the deepest philosopher America has produced, that ‘The altar-cloth of one age becomes the door-mat of the next’” [MTP].

April 18 Thursday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam replied on Frank T. Searight’s Apr. 12 letter: “never make another land voyage that can be avoided either honorably or otherwise” [MTP].

At 8:15 p.m. Clara Clemens gave a performance in Fredonia, N.Y. The Fredonia Censor advertised her upcoming concert and on Apr. 24 reviewed it:

The Concert by Miss Clara Clemens, contralto, and Miss Marie Nichols, violinist, Charles E. Wark, pianist, had a good sized and very appreciative audience in Normal Chapel last Thursday evening. Miss Clemens has a rich, powerful voice and showed her fine training in her difficult selections, all of which she sang without notes. There was most delight in the violin playing of Miss Nichols. …

Ralph W. Ashcroft wrote on Koy-Lo Co. letterhead, NYC, to advise that he had sent a draft to the London Co. this day to pay the bill for Plasmon. Also that Stanchfield was keeping him posted “about the negotiations between my and Hammond’s lawyers” [MTP].

W.R.E. Collins wrote from NYC to Sam, looking for $10,000 to complete the deed on 7,100 acres of coal land in Penn. Collins offered to pay $600 plus 15% of the profit of the sale [MTP].

April 19 Friday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: We’re just starting for Hartford. It is snowing and the King who is lathering his face for a shave suggests that I get Mrs. Whitmore on the telephone and tell her that he “may be a little late in arriving for he has mislaid one of his snowshoes.” And then such a chuckle of delight he gives as he swabs his face and I go spinning up to the telephone. I wouldn’t dampen one joke of the King’s for worlds, except where Mrs. Rogers is concerned, for she can’t be joked with over a telephone. Dinner tonight at Mrs. Whitmores with Annie Trumbull and Mr. and Mrs. Bissell [MTP TS 53]. Note: George P. Bissell, Hartford banker; see Vol I entries.

Raymond B. Butler, Secretary of the 1908 Johnstown High class wrote to Sam from Johnstown, NY. They wanted a “few words” from him to be read at the planting of a tree on Arbor Day in his honor [MTP].

Minnie Maddern Fiske wrote to Miss Lyon. “Will you tell Mr. Clemens how deeply glad we are that he will allow us to use his name as one of the incorporaters of the Society for the Protection of Cattle on the Prairies” [MTP].

Chapters  from “My Autobiography—XVI” ran in the N.A.R. p.785-93.

April 20 Saturday – Sam was in Hartford and met with the ladies who were first members of his Saturday Morning Club 30 years before. He wrote of the good time in a letter to Jean on Apr. 22.

Athenaeum printed an anonymous review of CS, p.466-8. Tenney: “Mostly summary; favorable, calls MT ‘one of the sanest, least prejudiced of men’ [43].

Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP as “Imaginary Interview with the President.”  

 

Otto Heller wrote from St. Louis to Miss Lyon. Heller had been “hired…to make a critical and complete editon (about 20 vols.) of the works of Charles Sealsfield.” Would Sam offer his opinion of Sealsfield? [MTP]. Note: Charles Sealsfield, pseudonym for Karl Anton Postl (1793-1864), Moravian born activist and author who used American settings for romantic novels. Not in Gribben.

John Mead Howells wrote to Sam with the final copy of specifications for the Redding house and stable. Copies had been given to contractors for bidding [MTP].

Jervis Langdon II sent Sam a trustee’s report to former stockholders of J. Langdon & Co, from Apr 1, 1906 to Apr. 1, 1907, showing a balance on hand of $12,212.66, “the funds on hand to be kept safely invested to provide income out of which to pay taxes and other charges on the property” [MTP].

April 21 Sunday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “We left Hartford this morning, came to the station in Billy Whitmore’s mobile, and then as we couldn’t get a parlor car, we sat in the ordinary coach and the King talked every moment” [MTP TS 53].

Lillie d’Angelo Bergh wrote for Woman’s Press Club of NYC to ask Sam “some opinions” in a letter she enclosed (not in file) [MTP].

April 22 Monday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam inscribed a copy of JA to Dorothy Butes: “To Dorothy—/ with the affectionate regards of / The Author. On the whole it is better to deserve honors & not have them, thatn have them & not deserve them. / Truly Yours / Mark Twain/ April 22/07 [MTP].  

Sam also wrote to daughter Jean in Katonah, N.Y.    

I’ve been to Hartford, Jean dear, to help the other girls celebrate the 30^th anniversary of the Saturday Morning Club. I helped them organize it 30 years ago, & for this service was made a member; & to this day I am the only male member it has ever had.

These girls were 18 & 20 years old, in that ancient day, but they are 50 & past, now, & the signs of age are upon them; but they are still young in their hearts. We had a rousing time, a happy time, a memorable time.

I am still rusty & tired from the railway journey, & am resting-up in bed & getting ready for the yacht-voyage to Jamestown. We sail Wednesday afternoon, & shall be gone several days.

I have appointments in the first fortnight of May for Tuxedo—4^th; Actor’s Fund Fair, New York—6^th & 8^th; leave for Annapolis 9^th—return in 5 days. Then Tuxedo & REST.

I hope you are having good times, dear Jean, & that I shall have a longer visit with you next time. That other visit does not count—it was nothing but a glimpse.

Goodbye, dear heart—& many hugs & kisses …. [MTP].

W.R.E. Collins wrote to advise Sam that his “two associates did not to the hour keep their agreement to pay a small instalment on the coal land…and I must rearrange matters and make a new deal…” Collins was trying to get Clemens to loan $10,000; see Apr. 18 from Collins [MTP].

 

Helen Johnson (Mrs. A.C. Johnson) wrote from Glen Falls, NY to assure Sam she didn’t wish financial help, but wanted to see him—“not an interviewer, nor a reporter—just a humorist” [MTP].

Mrs. Arthur J. Tenney wrote a fan letter to Sam from Branford, Conn., She enclosed a photo of their library. She noted Sam had spent time in Branford “a number of years ago” [MTP]. Note: See Apr. 24 for Lyon’s reply.

Sam G. Moore wrote a long, long letter to Sam from Portsmouth, Ohio about old days on the Mississippi. Moore had been re-reading LM, and “had to write.” He steered for Horace Bixby in Sept. 1853. “Bixby learned the river from Cairo to St. Louis with my brother Capt Enos Moore[.]  they were on the Crescent then…” [MTP]. Note: There are no Lyon or SLC notations on the letter and no env. in file.

 

Robert H. Rice wrote to Sam on Union Library Assoc., Oberlin College letterhead, Oberlin, Ohio. Would Sam favor them with a lecture? [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Answd Apr. 27 ‘07”

 

Howard S. Ruddy for American Press Humorists wrote to Sam on the Literary Department of The Rochester Herald (NY) stationery to invite him to the next convention in Los Angeles on Sept. 15 [MTP].

William T. Shannonhouse wrote to ask Sam for a lecture in Norfolk, Va. to raise funds for the Pickett-Buchanan Camp No. 9, Virginia Division, United Sons of Confederate Veterans [MTP].

April 23 Tuesday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “The King has new and gaudy maxim: “Prostitution is the thief of time” [MTP TS 53].

Edith Elsie Baker for the Actors’ Fund of America wrote to “gratefully acknowledge Sam’s $10 donation and 3 volumes of HF for their fair [MTP].

Aaron Watson for the Savage Club, London wrote to thank Sam “very heartily” for permitting, through MacAlister “to use your article on your first visit to London, and your relations to the Savage Club, in my forthcoming book on that Club, which is to be published by Mr. Fisher Unwin” [MTP]. Note: see July 19 from T. Fisher Unwin.

April 24 Wednesday – In N.Y.C. Isabel V. Lyon replied for Sam to Mrs. Arthur J. Tenney’s Apr. 22. “Thanks for photo is so overdriven in these days if the enclosed is of use glad to enclose it” [MTP].

Sam also dictated a reply to the Apr. 7 from Benjamin R. Tucker, but his response is on the back of Tucker’s letter in Josephine Hobby’s shorthand, and is undecipherable [Gribben 662].

 

In the afternoon Sam left with H.H. Rogers, Harry Rogers, Urban H. Broughton, William Evarts Benjamin and Charles Lancaster on the Kanawha bound for Jamestown, Va. about 300 miles as the crow flies. They were to attend the Jamestown Tercentennial Exposition of 1907 (300 years). The fair was held at what is now the Norfolk Naval Base, and drew more than 1.2 million visitors. It opened on April 26, 1907. “Some called it a world’s fair, other a great international naval, industrial and marine exposition of American Imperialism.”  Award medals of various designs were struck, including some by Tiffany & Co. See insert of award medal.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “The King started for Jamestown this 1:30 in Mr. Rogers’s yacht to go down for the naval review. Mr. Broughton, Mr. Benjamin, Mr. Lancaster, Harry Rogers were the other 4 to make up the six. It is so lonely, lonely again. But lots to do [MTP TS 54]. Note: Broughton, and Benjamin were sons-in-laws of H.H. Rogers; Charles Lancaster was an old friend of Rogers’.

Thomas Arkle Clark (b.1862) Dean of men, wrote on University of Illinois stationery to inquire about a possible lecture there by Clemens next year [MTP].

Alice Minnie Herts wrote on The Educational Alliance letterhead, NYC to ask Sam if he would request Andrew Carnegie “to see your play at the Educational Alliance on Sunday next, Apr. 28 or the following Sunday?” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Mr Clemens in Norfolk”

 

Jeannette Pozter wrote for Woman’s Home Companion to Sam, after seeing the children’s play of P&P at the Educational Alliance. She wanted to write an article about it and asked where she could get a copy of the play to quote from [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Answrd Apr. 27, ‘07”

 

April 25 Thursday – Sam was on the Kanawha bound for Jamestown, Va. According to Lyon’s journal entry below, he sent a telegram upon arrival—if 17 hours from 1:30 p.m. Apr. 24, the arrival was approx. . 7 a.m.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Telegram that the King had swift good passage. 17 hours” [MTP TS 54]. Note. telegram not extant.

A.K. Wright, Minister, Church of Christ, San Jacinto, Calif. wrote to Sam, enclosing a newspaper clipping of his poem, “The Desert” [MTP].

April 26 Friday – Sam was in Old Point Comfort, Va. In his May 2 to Clara, Sam wrote of the first day that it was “sunny and bright.” After that the fog rolled in.

“But the first day was very gay, & really paid for the excursion. I blundered into the Virginia building, thinking it was the Maryland one; but it was all right: the Governor was holding a reception & I took it off his hands. It gave him a rest & he was thankful. I knew him & his wife before.”

 

Notes: Claude Augustus Swanson (1862–1939) served as governor of Virginia from 1906 to 1910. The site chosen for the Exposition on a mile-long frontage at Sewell’s Point near the mouth of Hampton Roads, was about 30 miles from the original Jamestown location. Theodore Roosevelt and Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany were among the distinguished visitors.

 

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Mary Lawton came in today and in relating her experiences said that the men in the theatrical profession have no respect for her because she is a virtuous woman. When her name is mentioned they say, “Oh, Miss Lawton, she—!” and shrug their shoulders in derision. She says there must be something wrong with her, because she cannot fall in love with the men who have made advances to her. And you feel that she has never had a lover, because she kisses women on the mouth. Men, she says, do not fall in love with her; but just regard her as they would a prize cow, or other prize winning creature, or as legitimate prey, but she cannot take the necessary interest in them. She has no aptitude for intrigue [MTP TS 54].

 

April 27 Saturday – Sam was in the Fort Monroe, Va. area after seeing the Jamestown Exposition, having a “foggy & gashly time!” In his May 2 to Clara he wrote that after the first day:

 

The others deserted, & fled home by rail; but Broughton & I stuck it out—being resolved that we would never trust ourselves to the hated rail. We lay at anchor day after day smothered in white fog, & read, talked, smoked, yawned, gaped, & cussed.(This was at Old Point Comfort). Once we went ashore & spent a couple of hours with the officers in Fortress Monroe; & once we went ashore to do some shopping, & in the hotel I saw the most beautiful girl you can imagine; but I was so stupefied by the fog that I couldn’t think of anything to say to her, so I didn’t speak to her at all. I am still regretting it [Note: the NY Times article of May 4 gave Monday (Apr. 29) as the day Rogers and son left on the train].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Mrs. Rosenfieldt’s letter. Today’s Southern paper tells that a big excursion boat ran close to Kanahwa [sic] knowing the King was on board, and nearly swamping her” [MTP TS 54]. Note: she likely is referring to Mrs. Sidney Rosenfeld, letter not extant. See May 1 entry.

T.H. Tregellas wrote from Victoria, Australia to Sam. He’d been disappointed when he saw Mark Twain in Bendigo but had kept reading all his works. Recently, an article of Twain’s “Golden Boyhood” which ran in the Melbourne Argus, caused him to break down. His wife urged him to write [MTP].

E.B. Goodall wrote in a nearly illegible hand from Portsmouth, N.H. to comment on Sam’s CS [MTP].

Florence Duncan Jones wrote from NY wanting to know if Sam was in the City so she could send him some literary work of a nature he’d be interested in [MTP].

April 28 Sunday – Sam was in the Fort Monroe, Va. area.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Mrs. Baker came—stricken. Thompson came—pastels. I’m not well” [MTP TS 54].

Dorothy Butes wrote from the Hotel Majestic (NY?) to thank Sam for his “lovely book” JA. She’d been “chuckling over CS and his criticism of Mrs. Eddy’s English.” She offered an anecdote from her Latin class about a classmate, Lorraine, who she described as “about a hundred and sixy pounds, who tries to be kittenish” [MTP].

 

Leonna Berry Hartley (Mrs. N. Hartley) wrote from Garden City, Long Island to Sam. She wrote that “of course you remember ‘Leonna Berry,” the “Berry” being now a thing of the past…” she had two daughters she would bring to the Actors’ Fair since she’d read Clemens would be there May 8 [MTP].

April 29 Monday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “No news from the King, and I’m down with something. Pains almost unendurable and a temperature” [MTP TS 54-55].

In Fort Monroe, Va., Sam telegraphed Isabel Lyon: “Delayed indefinitely by fog. Clemens” [MTP]. Note: Lyon mentions this the following day.

H.H. Rogers and son Harry Rogers left the Kanawha and returned to N.Y. by rail [NY Times May 4, p.1, “Twain and Yacht Disappear at Sea”].

Clemens’ A.D. for this day included: Dr Henry Van Dyke as a Man and as a Fisherman [MTP: Autodict4 pdf].  

Arnold Daly wrote on Lyceum Theatre NYC letterhead to ask if Sam had “personally made the adapatation or translation of an Agricultural Editor, for which I have the contracts with Mr. Timmory and yourself?” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Answd. Told him Mr. Clemens is away”

Alston Hamilton for the Fort Monroe Club sent an engraved permission for Sam to use the privileges of their club for 30 days [MTP].

Robert Reid wrote before Apr. 19 to announce that he would be married Apr. 29 to Elizabeth Reeves. If Sam could write “a little word to her she’d think it a lovely wedding present” [MTP]. Note: Reid’s penmanship was quite challenged.

Corrie Scheffer wrote from NYC to thank Sam for his photo and an autographed book [MTP].

April 30 Tuesday – On the yacht Kanawha in Old Point Comfort, Virginia, Sam wrote to Frederick A. Duneka asking him to send a green cloth set of his books to H.H. Rogers to the yacht at the N.Y.C. pier, foot of E. 23 [MTP]. Note: the NY Times article of May 4, p.1, included a bit about this day:

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Tonsilitis. Telegram from the King “Detained indefinitely by fog.” And the papers tell of his loneliness with Mr. Broughton. All the other Rogerses came home by train” [MTP TS 55].

Julia Langdon Barber (Mrs. A.L. Barber) wrote a mourning border card to thank Sam for autographing her set of his books recently purchased from Harpers, “but my disappointment was of the keenest that you did not note in the Innocents Abroad, make mention of the fact that we were fellow voyagers in the old Quaker City” [MTP]. Note: on the Quaker City, she was Miss Julia L. Langdon, no relation to Charles, was among those who joined the QC at Gibraltar [MTL 2: 385].

Mary M. Keller wrote from Hartford, Conn. to ask Sam if he would meet her childhood friend while in Annapolis, “a charming Scotch woman named Worthington” [MTP].

 

May – Edward A. Kimball’s article, “Mark Twain, Mrs. Eddy, and Christian Science,” ran in Cosmopolitan, p. 35-41. Tenney: “A reply to MT’s Christian Science by ‘a prominent Christian Science author’” [44].

Simboli Raffaele’s article, “Mark Twain and his Double,” ran in the Ladies’ Home Journal, p.59. Tenney: “While living in Florence MT was often mistaken for Professor Borzi (later director of the Botanical Gardens at Palermo). In turn, when Borzi visited Sweden and Norway in 1899 he was widely mistaken for MT and ‘even Ibsen fell into the error and came to call on me,’ said Borzi” [44]. See 1906 year entry.

Ralph W. Ashcroft sent a telegram to Miss Lyon, c/o Sam, Tuxedo Park. “SAILING FOR NEW BEDFORD PRESENTLY WE INSPECTED GIANT LUSITANIA THIS AFTERNOON” [MTP]. Note in file: “Probably late May 1907 / Ashcroft accompanied SLC to London –Oxford trip. They sailed on Minneapolis 8 June 1907”

 

May 1 Wednesday – At 4 a.m. the Kanawha got underway back to New York through the clearing fog [Baltimore Sun May 10, “Mark Twain in Clover” p.14]. Note: because the yacht could not be seen leaving from shore, it was thought for a day or more that it was lost at sea.

 

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “All day in bed. All day anxious about the King, for the Sun’s story of excessive fog makes travel dangerous. These days mother has been unspeakably sweet. But oh, we are all growing old—old ! She sat on my bed tonight when Nellie came up to say “a telephone message says that Mr. Clemens will be here inside of an hour” [MTP TS 55].

Though Sam was not in New York, the lease which Sam signed on Mar. 5 for William Voss’ house in Tuxedo Park began this day [Mar. 5 to Jean].

]

The Kanawha made New York a few minutes past 9 p.m. [Scharnhorst, 587n2].

Meanwhile, in New York, Mrs. Sidney Rosenfeld, an offended Christian Science member who was also head of the Century Theatre Club, raised a stink about Mark Twain being invited to supply signed books for their booth at the upcoming Actors’ Fair. The New York Times jumped on the story, p.2, “Mark Twain Fuss in Actors’ Fair.” Either Twain was out or she would resign from the club. Daniel Frohman was consulted with the result being the transfer of Sam to the Players Club booth. The membership was in favor of Mrs. Rosenfeld resigning.

 

Arthur McEwan died suddenly from heart disease in Bermuda. At the time McEwan was the chief editorial writer for the New York American. He was 56. After an English course at U.C. Berkeley, McEwan became a journalist, first in Virginia City, Va. in the 1870s, and later in San Francisco [NY Times, May 2, 1907, p. 11]. Note: see entries in Vol. II.

Roi Cooper Megrue for Elisabeth Marbury wrote to Sam. “Mr. Colwell wants to know if he can have another extension on his rights for A YANKEE IN KING ARTHUR’S COURT.  He also asked if Sam could go over the Agricultural Editor piece since Arnold Daly thought it needed work [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “No—Mr Clemens wont have a thing to do with it. Frohman says so”

 

John T. Mitchell wrote to Sam on Missouri Presbyterian Assembly and Summer School letterhead. Mitchell invited Clemens to join them any time from July 17 to Aug 4 and take Christian Science as a subject for a lecture [MTP].

 

Olivia Vickers wrote from Dallas, Tex. to defend Christian Science [MTP].

May 2 Thursday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to Edith Elsie Baker about the Actors’ Fund Fair flap:

I am back from the South, & find your letter which has given me deep & unqualified pleasure.

And pain, too! But on your account, not on mine. I am very very sorry, most sincerely sorry, that an incident has troubled & distressed you which has drenched my jaded spirit with the refreshing waters of a pure delight. Cheer up! & be glad, & grateful, & happy, & enjoy your president’s [Mrs. Sidney Rosenfeld] attitude at its full value: as the most innocently & impressively & comprehensively humorous thing that has been imagined by a mere uninspired human being these many, many, many centuries! Ah, I wish I could be as funny as that.

Miss Lyon knew quite well that the episode would only entertain me, & would cost me not a pang; & if she didn’t tell you that, she needs disciplining.

Now you must not retire from the field. Daniel Frohman & I are unanimously of that opinion. It is not for victors to retire under fire: that is for the defeated, & you have not been defeated.

Yours in unembarrassed sincerity [MTP].

Sam also wrote to daughter Clara now at the Parker House in Boston.  

O dear Ashcat, but we did have a foggy & gashly time!—after the first day of the fair, which was sunny & bright. [see Apr. 26 & 27 for this section of the letter, which described his activities at the Exposition].

I am glad you are having such a lovely time, Spiderchen; aunt Sue says you sang superbly at Elmira, & we have heard that you carried your Utica house by storm. I suppose it is because you are Mark Twain’s daughter. But anyway it is splendid, & I am glad.

Miss Lyon is ill, & there is no one to fight the reporters . She thinks she can go to Tuxedo Saturday—& I’ve got to go. I hope I can be there all the time of your visit, but maybe I’ll be gone South. Let us see you as soon as we can, dearheart. With lots of love, …. [MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “I moved my couch over by the telephone and the King came up and talked things for 2 hours” [MTP TS 55].

Whitelaw Reid was at this time the American Ambassador to the Court of St. James. Oxford University’s Chancellor, Lord Curzon of Kedelston (George Nathaniel Curzon 1859-1925), wrote to Reid on this date that it was the “customary function” to confer “honorary degrees on distinguished men” and that he wished to confer such an honor on Samuel L. Clemens, and Thomas A. Edison among others [MTFWE 4]. Note: Reid also was given an honorary degree, and would cable Sam on May 3. Edison would be unable to attend.

 

Members of the Actors’ Fund Fair adopted a resolution of apology to Clemens, in the Mrs. Sidney Rosenfeld matter, expressing “shame that Christian Science and Mark Twain had come into collision over the fair” [NY Times, May 2, p.11, “Warm Apologies to Mark Twain”]. Note: See May 1 entry on the squabble.

H. Craper wrote from England to Sam. His wife had asked and rec’d Sam’s letter and photo, and when she presented them to him it was “one of the greatest & most pleasant surprises of my lifetime” [MTP].

May 3 Friday – In  London Whitelaw Reid sent a momentous cable to Sam in care of Harper & Brothers, N.Y. It was received in New York at 2:40 p.m.

 

“OXFORD UNIVERSITY WOULD CONFER DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LETTERS ON YOU ON JUNE 26^TH BUT PERSONAL PRESENCE NECESSARY CABLE ME WHETHER YOU CAN COME” [MTFWE 4]. Note: in his May 23 A.D. Sam reflected on the cablegram and his acceptance “without any waste of time.” See MTFWE p.4-5 for the full text. Insert Cable: [Baetzhold 243].

Sam then cabled Reid and also wrote a note. His cable:

“I WILL COME WITH GREATEST PLEASURE” [MTP].

His note to Reid:

“Recognition by Oxford is praise from St. Hubert indeed, & your cablegram of today was very welcome, I answered it by cable, & shall follow in person in time to reach England a safe day or two before the named day, the 26^th of June” [MTP]. Note: See May 23 for Sam’s reaction written on that day.

At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to C.F. Moberly Bell, editor of the London Times:

 

“Dear Mr. Bell: / Your hand is in it! & you have my best thanks. Although I wouldn’t cross an ocean again for the price of the ship that carried me, I am glad to do it for an Oxford degree. I shall plan to sail for England a shade before the middle of June, so that I can have a few days in London before the 26^th”[MTP].

Sam also wrote to Adele Durant Holt of the Century Theatre Club.

I thank the committee heartily for their invitation, just received, & would accept it, but that I have already accepted the invitation of the Players.

It grieves me that the Club should think an apology due me, for indeed it is not so. They offered me a courtesy, & I remember it & appreciate it; but they have not offered me a discourtesy, nor anything resembling it.

It is true that an attempt (not authorized by the Club) was made to hurt my feelings, but it did not have that effect. When I have been doing wrong, my feelings are sensitive, but when I have not been doing wrong, attacks upon them find them almost abnormally torpid. ….[MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “A cablegram from Whitelaw Reid invites the King to go to Oxford for the degree of L.L. D. to be there on June 26th and the King accepts. It is too splendid. ‘Col. Harvey is the mensch to go’ the King says” [MTP TS 55].

What with all the fog in Norfolk, Virginia, an erroneous report came datelined May 3 that Mark Twain and the yacht Kanawha were missing

Frank N. Doubleday for Doubleday, Page & Co. wrote to Sam asking if he could buy copies of “What is Man?” for $2 each from DeVinne, as he was getting requests for them. Also, was it all right to give a book to John Quincy Adams, whom he didn’t know [MTP].

Robert S. Hart, Secretary for Governor of Maryland, Edwin Warfield wrote to advise Sam of some details about his forthcoming trip to Annapolis [MTP].

May 4 Saturday – Sam moved into the William Voss house in Tuxedo Park, N.Y. [Hill 166]; his lease had begun on May 1. He gave a talk or a reading at a tea for the Tuxedo Club in his honor. He had forecasted the event in his Apr. 22 to Jean. Fatout lists the talk but gives no particulars [MT Speaking 676]. Note: see May 5 NYT article. Lyon’s entry below reveals the tea was held at Mrs. Harry Rogers’ house in Tuxedo.

 

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Here, 4 days late, we are able to go to Tuxedo and this afternoon there was a very nice reception in Mrs. Harry Rogers’s house. It was delightful to see the King and Mrs. Harry” [MTP TS 55].

About this day Sam sent a telegram to John Japp, Lord Mayor of Liverpool, England: “I THANK YOUR LORDSHIP SINCERELY BUT FIND TO MY REGRET MY SHORT STAY ALL OCCUPIED / CLEMENS” [MTP].

Did Sam also send a telegram to Milton Goodkind? See telegram in body of the May 5 Times article  below [MTP].

Vivian Burnett wrote to Sam with plans “to publish a real children’s magazine with Frances Hodgson Burnett as editor.” Such a magazine would want Mark Twain to contribute, she argued, so she’d like the opportunity to talk with him [MTP]. Note: Frances Eliza Hodgson Burnett (1849-1924), English playwright and author, best known for her children’s stories, especially The Secret Garden, A Little Princess, and Little Lord Fauntleroy. See Gribben p.114.

 

May 5 Sunday – The NY Times included a telegram supposedly sent on May 4 by Sam to Milton Goodkind in a spoof article about Sam being lost at sea:

 

Note:  Milt Goodkind’s essay entitled, “All Around Newspaper and Advertising Man” (included in his book Illustrated East Liverpool, Ohio: The Pottery Center of America (1899)), shows him to be a devout and outspoken disciple of the power of advertising, and likely well known as such. Sam likely chose Milt for this telegram in order to achieve the maxium amount of advertising. See prior Goodkind entries. See also the New York American, May 5, p. 6 article “Twain Hesitates to Admit He’s Dead” in Scharnhorst, p. 586, and the New York World article, same date, p. 9 “ ‘I’m Not Lost at Sea,’ Says Twain,” p. 587.

 

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “The King likes this house [Tuxedo]. This morning he walked over to see Mrs. Harry and this afternoon he called on Dr. Rushmore” [MTP TS 56]. Note: Edward C. Rushmore.

Robert H. Callaghan wrote to Sam from Hebron, Ohio enclosing a dollar and a cryptic note “I will be sending you a dollar” [MTP]. Note: After May 5 Sam replied. “I thank you for the impulse that moved you to send me the dollar, but as it was not owing to me, I return it.” The 1888 minutes of the annual conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Ohio Conference, lists Robert H. Callaghan as a “local preacher” elected deacon.

George Nathaniel Curzon wrote to Sam. “It gives me the greatest pleasure to learn from my friend Mr. Whitelaw Reid that you are willing to accept my invitation, and that I shall have the honour of conferring upon you the Hon. Degree of D. Litt. at the ceremony of my installation as Chancellor of Oxford University on June 26” [MTP].

Miss Minna D. Robie wrote from Rush City, Minn. to Sam, bemoaning the “dreary little village” at that time of the year, freezing, gale winds, a foot of snow, etc. Discussions of books led to FE and her question for Clemens—what was the correct pronunciation of Taj as in Taj Mahal? [MTP]. At the top of the letter Sam wrote: “Tell her ‘todg.’ SLC”

May 6 Monday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to Mary B. Rogers (Mrs. H.H. Rogers, Jr.) who had sent a note [not extant] with Harry Rogers.

To the Shah-in-Shah of Nieces— / Greeting & salutation:

Oh dear me! that I should have this ill luck—the only member of the family that can’t be there. For I shall be in Maryland then, & shan’t get back to Tuxedo until next Monday or Tuesday. I am sorry & disappointed; for I was counting on the pleasure of being present. Yes, & I was going to scrape acquaintance with Mr. Lackland on the basis of the fact that I knew a Lackland in St Louis 47 years ago—in the steamboat trade. Not that I knew him well, but only as a subordinate knows a superior, his rank being so much higher than mine as to forbid a nearer connection. I tell you, Etiquette was strict out there, Mary dear! Do please convey for me my cordial congratulations to the bride & groom.

When you are out driving, won’t you call at my house or get a novel (published by M^cClure) by Marjorie Bowen, & read a part or all of it & tell me what you think of it? Please. I don’t remember its name, but it is the only one there by M. B. You can read it without prejudice or predilection, but I couldn’t, because it is dedicated to me. It is based on the Massacre of Glencoe, but it mercifully leaves out (or but gently touches) the main horrors. I think that is greatly to the girl’s credit, for there would naturally be a strong temptation to do the other thing.

The Fair started well, this afternoon, & I am sure it is going to be handsomely successful. It would have interested you, & I was sorry you were not there.

If you will be so good, dear madam, as to present my humble service to your estimable daughter, & say that the tenderness which I—but of this anon. / Affectionately  [MTP]. Note: The Master of Stair (1907) by Marjorie Bowen (pseud. for Gabrielle Margaret Vere Long). The individual Lackland he referred to here is not further identified; Sam served on the Rufus J. Lackland in either 1857 or 1859. See July 11, 1857 entry, Vol. I.

The NY Tribune, p. 8, “Money Flows to Fund” reported on Mark Twain’s efforts for the actors’ fund:

 

The New York Times, p 5 also reported on the Fair:

Jean Clemens wrote from Katonah, N.Y. to Sam, letter not extant but referred to in his May 14 reply.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Today we came into town. The King opened the Actor’s Fund Fair” [MTP TS 56].

May 7 Tuesday – Sam wrote daughter Jean on May 14 after his return from Annapolis that he spent “the 7^th to meet engagements.” He did not specify; no more is known.  

Clemens gave Isabel Lyon power of attorney to sign checks for him [Hill 222]. The Lyon-Ashcroft MS contains the full text of this document, as follows:

Note: this would be revoked in March, 1909 during the controversy of embezzlement raised by Clara Clemens.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “I spent an hour or more with J. Howells” [MTP TS 56]. Note: Lyon was directing the design of the Redding house with John Mead Howells, architect.

 

John Mead Howells wrote to Sam with results of the contractor bids on the proposed Redding house—Mr. Sunderland of Danbury Conn. won the bid, which was reduced further to $27,236. On Sam’s notification they could commence work immediately [MTP].

Florence Duncan Jones wrote from Staten Island, N.Y. to ask Sam to return her manuscript on Christian Science that she’d sent for his opinion [MTP]. Note: Jones’ letter was previously catalogued Sept. 7, 1907. Sam dictated to Miss Lyon who wrote on the letter: “Dear Madam: / I have read the first half of the article but it does not interest me, because, to me, reasonings (or attempted reasonings) from C.S. are as vain & empty & wearisome as are discussions of theology & other forms of gas. I have no reverence for theologies & I take no interest in them. I take a strong & indestructible interest in Mrs. Eddy. But this is merely because she is picturesque & unusual. I take the same interest in Satan.” This reply also shows as May 27, with slightly different wording. It is likely Lyon and/or Sam edited the final letter from this copy. See May 27 to compare versions.

An unidentified person wrote on Writers Club stationery, London to urge Sam to write a life of Christ [MTP].

May 8 Wednesday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam sent a cable to C.F. Moberly Bell, editor of the London Times: “I PERCEIVE YOUR HAND IN IT YOU HAVE MY BEST THANKS SAIL IN MINNEAPOLIS JUNE 8 DUE IN SOUTHAMPTON DAYS LATER. / CLEMENS” [MTP].

Note: Hill includes an excerpt from Isabel Lyon’s journal that it was late in 1906 when Moberly Bell was visiting from London and luncheoned with Sam. When asked when he  might return to England, Sam answered “When Oxford bestows its degree upon me!” Isabel thought the award “cheapened” because it was asked for [166]. The exact luncheon date has not been determined, but Bell was in the U.S. and was awarded a doctor of literature degree on Apr. 13, 1907 by Western University of Penn. at the Founders Day exercises of Carnegie Institute [NY Times, Feb. 17, 1907, p.6 “Degrees for Foreigners”]. Bell was also present for the Apr. 14 to 17 National Arbitration and Peace Congress at Carnegie Hall [NY Times, Mar. 8, 1907, p.4 “Peace Congress That Meets Here”]. These events suggest the luncheon was also in April, and, as Hill points out, it was given by the New York Times for Bell; if the seed was planted by Sam then, it took only “two weeks to germinate” [166].  It is likely Lyon simply erred about the date. Still, to what extent Bell was behind Sam’s Oxford degree is open to speculation, yet Clemens thought it evident, and honorary degrees were certainly on Bell’s mind.

Sam also cabled the ship, Minneapolis, and June 8 sail date to Whitelaw Reid in London [MTP].

Sam also wrote to John Mead Howells concerning the construction contract on the Redding house, letter not extant but referred to in Howells’ May 9 reply.

 

Sam spent “4 solid & strenuous hours at the Fair” [May 14 to Jean]. Also Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Four hours the King spent at the Actor’s Fair in the Players’ Booth” [MTP TS 56].

The New York Times, May 8, p. 7, “Not a Dull Minute at the Actors’ Fair” included this short paragraph about Mark Twain’s appearance for May 9 (Sam only appeared on May 6 and May 8, so this is in error).

Mark Twain, in his white suit and wearing his white hair, is to appear to-morrow at the Players’ Booth. It is understood that he has not entirely recovered from the terrible shock of the recent Christian Science episode: he laughs about it all the time.

And in another article on this day, p.7, “Lost Her Pearls At The Actors’ Fair,” the New York Times included this paragraph about Mark Twain and Ethel Barrymore:

While Miss Barrymore was at the Fair she had a rival in popularity from the opposite sex. The rival was Mark Twain in all his resplendent garments of snowy whiteness. But there was no sign of jealousy between them. Miss Barrymore ran up to the perennially youthful humorist, and the greeting they exchanged made all the other men wish that they also were authors of funny books.

H.H. Rogers sent a telegram on board the SS Baltic to Sam: “HAVE JUST STARTED BY LAND MRS ROGERS PREFERS IT TELL THE GIRLS / ROGERS” [MTHHR 624]. Note: The captain of the White Star ship mistook an anchored Std. Oil tanker for an oncoming vessel and took extreme maneuvers to avoid it, thus going aground inside N.Y. Bay. See note 1 on source.

Carrie L. Headrick wrote to Sam from Gardnersville, Nevada. “Mr S. L. Clemens / Dear Sir—/ That certainly looks very circumspect,—and quite proper, after the years that have passed since we met, nevertheless all though you have climbed the ladder of fame, your old Carson friends think of you as—just Sam.” She mentioned Paine being there to gather info for a biography, and staying with Mrs. Sam P. Davis [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Ansd”

May 9 Thursday – At 9 a.m. [May 14 to Jean] Sam and Isabel Lyon took a train for Baltimore, Maryland, where he would be a guest of Governor Edwin Warfield (1848-1920) and deliver a benefit lecture in Annapolis. Warfield had been mentioned as a future presidential candidate. It had been in Sam’s plans at least since Apr. 22, when he wrote of it to Jean. Though she did not know him, Emma Warfield (Mrs. Edwin Warfield), a member of the First Presbyterian Church, had written asking Mark Twain to speak for a church benefit. In his May 14 to Jean, he referred to his trip as “wiping out a debt on a Presbyterian church.”  The Baltimore Sun, May 10, p.14 “Mark Twain in Clover” reported his arrival:

A suit of light gray flannels, surrounding a man with heavy, wavy hair, almost white, and a beaming smile that  took in everybody, emerged from the train that arrived from New York at Camden Station a little while before 3 o’clock yesterday [May 9] afternoon.

      The man with the gray flannels and the sunny smile did not have to wait more than 20 seconds on the platform before he was met by a man of the real Maryland type—heavy, but not fat; dressed in good taste and his face bearing a short-clipped mustache and goatee.

      He of the wavy hair was Mark Twain and he of Maryland’s own type was Governor Warfield. The Governor will be the host of the premier humorist of the civilized world for the next few days.

      Tonight [May 10] the humorist will deliver a lecture at the Executive Mansion in Annapolis for the benefit of the Presbyterian Church there. Mrs. Warfield is a member of the church, and the lecture given by the only real, quadruple-plate American funny man will help the good cause.

      While he is speaking everybody will know him as Mark Twain and at the same time think of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. But after the lecture, when he begins to shake hands, nobody will think of calling him anything except Mr. Clemens.

  [….]

      The Governor and the first, last and all the time American humorist shook hands like two men who meet on a Mexican ranch years after they have separated. Their greeting was more than cordial. It did one’s heart good to see it.

      When the Governor and the humorist started from the station for the Annapolis train, they drew toward themselves as many cameras as a magnet would draw steel shavings. It seemed to have been a strange coincidence that such a large proportion of the waiting passengers in the station were armed with kodaks. All eyes seemed to be turned toward the distinguished pair as they walked arm in arm across the platform toward the train. […]

      Before the train pulled out Mark was interviewed by a reporter of THE SUN about his recent “drowning” and other topics [Note: See more of the article in MTFWE p.6-8; the Baltimore News gave 2:47 p.m. as Sam’s time of arrival and noted Isabel Lyon accompanied him. On the platform waiting for a train for Washington was Senator from Maryland Isador Rayner (1850-1912) and Colonel E.L. Woodside: Scharnhorst 587-592. The Annapolis Short Line train was a thirty-mile trip].

Nolan and Tomlinson write of Sam’s arrival at the Governor’s mansion:

In Annapolis, Twain went to the Governor’s mansion, where he had a cup of tea and a rest before the dinner given in his honor. That evening, the table, decorated in white lilies, had Governor Warfield presiding over it at one end and Samuel Clemens at the other. Twenty-six others filled the spaces in between. Among them were representatives of the schools in the area: Basil Gildersleeve from the Johns Hopkins University, Thomas Fell from St. John’s College, and Capt. George P. Colvocoresses, representing the Naval Academy. The Baltimore contingent at the affair was large enough to journey to Annapolis in a special railroad car which, the papers report, returned at 11 p.m. [4]. Note: in his May 14 to Jean he told of the gathering running till midnight.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “We started for and arrived at Annapolis” [MTP TS 56].

Chatto & Windus wrote to Sam asking if JA, More Tramps Abroad (FE), and The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg could be lowered from 6/ to 3/6 each, since they’d been published at the higher price for “a considerable period” [MTP].  

 

Robert Fulton Cutting for the Robert Fulton Monument wrote to acknowledge Sam’s plans to be present at the Jamestown Expo on Sept. 23; he discussed persons who would be there [MTP].

 

John Mead Howells wrote to Sam that they had rec’d his of May 8 and were by his instructions notifying William Webb Sunderland, contractor to build the Redding house for $27,236. They were preparing a formal contract for the work [MTP].

 

John A. Kirlicks wrote to Sam, enclosing a chapbook of poems in Twain’s honor, bound by a red ribbon (in file) [MTP].

 

May 10 Friday – Annapolis: On the morning of May 10 Sam toured the Naval Academy, something he’d looked forward to. He was joined by three young ladies: Miss Carrie Warfield, and Miss Margaret Warfield, the Governor’s daughter, and niece, respectively; and Mary Foxley Tilghman, daughter of the Secretary of State. The group heard the Naval Academy Band concert and afterward visited the commanding officer. The Superintendent, Admiral James H. Sands (1845-1911), was ill so they called on Capt. George P. Colvocoresses, the Commandant of Midshipman; the Captain had been at the dinner the previous evening.

Nolan and Tomlinson write:

     

When Mrs. Warfield arrived, there was a ride around the yard and a stop at Bancroft Hall, the largest building at the Academy and, among other things, the residence of the midshipmen. The group was shown the lead casket of John Paul Jones. “Here are the remains of John Paul Jones, lying right here in this casket,” the Sun reported someone’s exclaiming to Twain. “Is it possible,” he commented flatly, confusing even the ever-present reporters about whether or not he mean to be funny.

      In the afternoon there was a parade in Twain’s honor, which he watched from the porch of the Superintendent’s temporary quarters [see insert], a house which still stands at the corner of Worden Field, where today as in the past midshipmen parade regularly. The whole brigade did not march, but the Teddy Bears (so named because they were the guard when Theodore Roosevelt attended President’s Day at the Jamestown Tercentennial Exposition). Looking at the drill, Twain remarked: “That is a sight somewhat incongruous with the principles of the Peace Congress” (American 11 May: 15). Whatever his reservations, they did not deter his enjoyment of the spectacle. The Academy band played, and the Evening Capital reporter discovered Twain pretending to march in time with the music (11 May: 1).

      He smoked his cigar on the Superintendent’s porch, having received permission to do so from Mrs. Sands; but earlier in the day he had run afoul of the stringent Academy regulation banning all smoking in the yard, even by visitors [5]. Note: editorial emphasis on names. Sam referred to the National Arbitration and Peace Conference, which was held on April 14-17, 1907 at Carnegie Hall. See also the interview (which took place on May 10) of the Baltimore American, May 11, “As Mark Twain Watched Drill,” p.15, in Scharnhorst p. 595-600; also other interviews and articles in source.

 

The New York Times, May 11, p.1 ran a special datelined Annapolis, Md. May 10:

Note: the May 3 cable from Whitelaw Reid that informed Sam of his Oxford degree nomination was sent in care of Harper & Brothers, N.Y. It may be that the cable was not opened or disclosed to Sam’s publisher at that time, or that he swore them to silence so he might announce the news in Annapolis. 

 

At 8:20 p.m. Sam arrived 20 minutes late and gave a talk at the Government House, Annapolis Maryland. Fatout writes:

 

In Annapolis to deliver a benefit lecture, probably a series of anecdotes, Mark Twain spent part of his leisure time rambling around the Naval Academy and getting caught smoking in a sector where, as sailors put it, the smoking lamp was out. Then he was feted at dinner by the governor, assorted politicos and other important people at the official residence. Called upon to speak, naturally the guest of honor responded in good form [MT Speaking 550]. Note: italics are Fatout’s.  

Nolan and Tomlinson confirm Fatout’s above phrase, that Sam gave a “series of anecdotes,” including a variation on the watermelon story. He also told of memories of going fishing as a boy, the story of the corpse in his father’s office, the Mexican plug tale, and Grandfather’s Old Ram [6]. Note: See also NY Times, May 12, p.4, “Mighty Mark Twain Overawes Marines”. In his May 14 to Jean Sam gives the audience at 1000 to 1,200 people at $2 per head, “no expenses & not a word of advertising.”

Afterward there was “an informal reception in the west parlor and drawing room of the Government House” and “he greeted visitors; at the end of the line were three girls who were  house guests of the Governor and Mrs. Warfield. ‘So entranced was he with their beauty,” the Sun reported, ‘that the humorist tried to hug all of them at the same time.’ When they sat down, he gathered them about him on a small settee and told them funny stories (11 May: 10)” [ibid.] Note: Sam put the crowd here to 200 and bragged of kissing “a few girls” [May 14 to Jean].

 

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “When I went to the King’s room at onc o’clock, after the morning, he was in despair & said we’ve got to get away from here. I never could say until Monday” [MTP TS 56]. Note: it’s possible that with all the newspaper men following his every move, Sam became over-tired. In his May 14 to Jean, he claimed he was “dead with fatigue.” Perhaps he also did not look forward to being back in a Presbyterian pew.

 

May 11 Saturday – Though Sam’s stay was planned for five days, including a tour of the bay on a special steamer, and a possible visit Sunday to the First Presbyterian Church, but Sam and Isabel Lyon cut it short, leaving this morning, and escorted as far as Baltimore by Governor Warfield [Nolan & Tomlinson 4, 6-7].  

 

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Home again, the King to Tuxedo, I to No. 21” [MTP TS 56].

 

John Y.W. MacAlister wrote a whimsical one-page letter to Sam from London about the recent reports of the Kanawha being lost at sea.

The news of your death by drowning gave me a happy thought. I know you will not misunderstand that, for we both know that no one, who knows you as I do, would ever believe it possible you could be drowned, for that is not the appointed means of your ending. But the happy thought was produced by observing that you are still a fidus Achates of Rogers, that princely prince of freebooters…  [MTP]. Note: Fidus Achates: Latin for “Trusty Friend.”

 

Albert B. Paine, in Hannibal, Mo., sent Sam a postcard picturing a cannibal cartoon. “If nothing further happens before tomorrow night, This Cannibal / From Hannibal / Will take his Eastward flight” [MTP: Cushman].  

 

Lyman Pierson Powell wrote Sam a postcard (not mailed) headed “The Rectory / St. John’s Church / Northhampton, Mass. “The charge is seriously made against you in The American Queen for May, quoting the Oakland Herald of March 13, 1907, that your sole purpose in the publication of your book” CS “was to make money…” Powell was to write a book which would appear in Putnam’s that would be more favorable to CS—could Sam write “in refutation of the subtle charge which needs no refutation in my mind”? [MTP].

 

Sam and Miss Lyon would have arrived back in New York about 6 p.m. In his May 14 to Jean he wrote that Miss Lyon stayed over at 21 Fifth Ave. “& talk ‘house’ with Hon Jowells,” (John Howells, who was designing Stormfield) while he went “straight” to Tuxedo Park, “arriving at 7 p.m. & went to bed.” 

 

May 12 Sunday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Busy with Santa, sleep and packing in the afternoon” [MTP TS 56].

W.H. Helm wrote to Sam. “The act of writing a notice (I know your opinion of reviewers!) of your Christian Science for the ‘Atheneum’—aroused my memories of Dollis Hill in August 1900, when I had the only opportunities that have come to me of hearing (& smoking the cigars of) an author whose books have meant a great deal to me from boyhood” [MTP]. Notes: After May 12 Lyon in Tuxedo Park, replied for Sam. “Mr. Clemens gone to N.Y to make some necessary preparations for his trip to Eng. & for what he regards as a very sane & lucid review of the book /  He has read no review but that one but likes that one—”. Helm has one book listed in Gribben, p. 306: Studies in Style, London (1900).

May 13 Monday – Sam addressed a letter from Tuxedo Park N.Y. “(Summer residence)” to Harry Windsor Dearborn.

As I have not heard from you I am taking it for granted that Mr. Vanderbilt, on behalf of the [Fulton] Monument Association, has invited Mr. Cleveland already, or will invite him as soon as he gets back from Europe July 1.

And so I have today, by letter, invited Mr. & Mrs. Cleveland to be my guests in the Kanawha; I invite but one other guest.

I propose to sail for Jamestown about mid-afternoon Sept. 22 & arrive at 8 o’clock next morning. Will that be about the correct thing? [MTP]. Note: Sam added he’d just returned from the  South where he was very busy. He then added a P.S. outlining the steps for inviting Mr. & Mrs. Grover Cleveland and delivering him via the Kanawha to Jamestown, Va.

 

Clemens’ A.D. for Jan. 19, 1906 included an added paragraph with this date, concerning the duel and death of Felice Cavallotti (1842-1898), “poet, orator, satirist, statesman, patriot…lamented by his countrymen” and killed by Count Ferruccio Macola, editor of Gazzetta di Venezia [AMT 1: 302].  

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Shoes, Whiskey, Trunk, Ms. for the King who is in Tuxedo, and who telephoned a return message to me this morning when I was finding out the how of things out there. His voice has a sweet plaint over the telephone a timbre that is beautiful. Oh, it is dreadful to leave him alone out there, and to know that he is needing little things, and swearing, oh, swearing terribly at not getting them. I’ll go home at 5:22 [train] this very day.

Went to the Morting Studio with Dearborn [MTP TS 57]. Note: Harry Windsor Dearborn was active in the Fulton Monument Association. Dearborn thanked Sam on May 17 for a “pleasant afternoon,” likely this one.

Robert Lutz wrote from Stuttgart to Sam asking for serial publication of Sam’s auto. In German [MTP]. See May 27 for Lyon’s reply for Sam.

Rose Sherwood wrote from Portland, Ore. to ask if Sam would write more Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn books [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: Answd May 27, 07”

May 14 Tuesday – In Tuxedo Park, N.Y. Sam wrote to daughter Jean in Katonah, N.Y., relating his stops since May. In part: (see prior references to this letter for text excised here).  

Oh, you dear Jean, it shan’t happen again. The next time I go to see you I shall select the train that will give me the longest time with you. Your letter has been lying here some 7 days—but I haven’t been here.

Yes indeed, I certainly have been frisking around. I had to come out here for one day (May 4) to attend a tea & reception in my honor.

…. [see May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 entries for what he summarized here]

But I am perfectly rested now, but haven’t gotten up yet (noon.)

Miss Lyon arrived a month ago, but Clara isn’t coming for a week yet.

Miss L returns to New York day after tomorrow, after answering tons of letters.

Oxford University invites (commands) my presence, June 26, to confer upon me the degree of Doctor of Letters. Of course I have to receive it in person—these mighty distinctions are not conferred by mail.

I sail in the Minneapolis June 8—so as to have time to see a few English friends & get my gown & hood made; & I re-sail June 29^th & reach New York 9 days later. I take Ashcroft with me to look after me.

Be sure, dearheart, I shan’t leave the country before I’ve seen you. If you were sound & well & there was time for some travel, you & I would go together; but I’ve got to get back as soon as I can, on account ofengagements.

In Annapolis I wore white clothes day & evening. I talked in a snow-white full dress, swallow-tail & all, & dined in the same. It’s a delightful impudence. I think I will call it my don’tcareadam suit. But I think I will always ask permission, first, saying “Dar madam, may I come in my don’tcareadams?”    

Good-bye, dear child, & thank you for your good letter. With loving hugs & kisses— [MTP]. Note: although Sam’s initial plans called for him to sail on the same ship from England on June 29, as mentioned above, he was persuaded to put off the return until July 13 and return on the Minnetonka.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “On train for Tuxedo I am, and Oh, so glad I didn’t come on that 5.22” [MTP TS 57].

Ralph W. Ashcroft wrote from NYC to Sam with an idea that struck him this a.m.

“To prevent piracy in years to come, why not trademark now in the name of Samuel L. Clemens such things as the ‘Mark Twain Cigar’, tobacco, whisky, shirt, corset, hair restorer, etc., etc. / This would place the issuance or suppression of such things entirely in the hands of your own folks…It won’t cost very much” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Mr. Clemens likes that idea—How shall he proceed? No one here to ask”

Sister M. Dominis wrote from Skibbereen, Ireland to ask Sam for a copy of CS [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Mr. Clemens sent it & Sister Dominica sent a nice note of thanks.

Julia Langdon Loomis wrote effusive congratulations to her Uncle Sam—could she see him before he went to England? [MTP].

Delia B. Maxwell wrote from Brooklyn to compliment Sam on CS [MTP].

Robert P. Porter wrote to ask Sam if he would stay with them when he came to Oxford. “As the one American Editor (I believe) living in Oxford we are entitled to that privilege” [MTP].

Anne W. Stockbridge wrote from Providence, R.I. to ask Sam to write “a few words of introduction for our book” (Stockbridge and Miss Grace Donworth, had written the “Jennie Allen letters” about the San Francisco earthquake, one of which Sam read at the Assoc. Press Dinner in NY [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Very grateful for that attention. Don’t write introductions any way as it would be hard to say no one time & yes another.”

May 15 Wednesday – In Tuxedo Park, N.Y. Sam replied to the May 9 from Galveston, Texas Judge and poet John A. Kirlicks (1852-1923):

 

It is a beautiful poem & has touched me deeply. If might venture to suggest, I should say that the proper place for it is either in the “Century” or “Harper’s Monthly”—preferably the “Century,” because I am not connected with it, except by old ties of friendship, whereas I am connected with “Harper’s” commercially [MTP: Hannibal Daily Post, Apr. 24, 1910]. Note: Kirlicks wrote “To Mark Twain,” a poem in Writers and Writings of Texas, ed. Davis Foute Eagleton (1913).

Sam also sent a cable to Ambassador Whitelaw Reid, London: “LETTER RECEIVED. MANY THANKS. ANY NIGHT WILL ANSWER   I REMAIN IN ENGLAND ONLY TEN DAYS. / CLEMENS” [MTP].

Sam also wrote Reid a letter, possibly on this day as well.

 

The dates are exactly right; they couldn’t possibly be righter. I wanted two engagements, and only two; and these are the choicest that could be imagined. {The other was to dine with the Pilgrims.} They and Oxford leave me seven days for private dissipation and last good-bying with old friends whom I shan’t meet again without their haloes. And there’s one or two whom I shan’t ever meet with them. I am sorry for that, for they are among the best of the flock [MTP].

David A. Munro wrote to Sam. “Col. Harvey sails for England on Wednesday, the 22^nd inst. and I am giving him a dinner at the Players on Monday, the 20^th –at half past seven in the evening. I am asking some of the members of the Franklin Square  family to join us. Won’t you come? It would be a sorry party without you”[MTP]. Note: Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Will you accept dinner in your honor at the twon hall in Liverpool during your stay in England / Lord Mayor / Liverpool” John Japp.

Whitelaw Reid wrote from London to Sam, having rec’d his note of May 3. He hoped Sam had rec’d a letter from Lord Curzon, the new Chancellor of Oxford Univ. He understood Sam would sail on the Minneapolis on June 8 and arrive in England as early as June 19, “and so have a safe week before the Oxford ceremony,” so that “it might be pleasant for you to dine with me here about Thursday, June 20^th…”  [MTP]. Sam wrote on the env.: “Had already engaged to the Pilgrims before this letter reached me May 24—then I cabled asking them to give me June 21 or 22—which would leave me free for June 20”

Lyman Beecher Stowe for Circle Magazine wrote to ask Sam for an interview for a series of sketches on “Unexploited Corners of History prior to the Civil War,” and Stowe requested an interview on “Slavery As Seen from the Pilot-House of a Mississippi Steamboat” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “quite impossible / no interviews / Harper would object ; Answd. May 27, ‘07”

May 16 Thursday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “C.C. came and finds it charming” [MTP TS 57].

Frances F. Cleveland (Mrs. Grover Cleveland) wrote from Princeton to Sam.

We have had your letter. Of course it will require consideration—and Mr. Cleveland will write you when he can get is mind on it. He isn’t very well, and it may be a little while before he can decide it, & notify you. But you must realize he is not forgetting. You are good to include me. I am so uncertain a sailor—(though why uncertain, when I am sure to be sea sick?) that I fear my courage won’t come to the point—But we shall see. / Very sincerely… [MTP].

H.W. Grove for Univ. of Michigan Student Lecture Assoc. wrote to ask Sam to visit during the coming year [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Answd May 27, ‘07”

J.V. Holmes wrote from Walpole, N.H. to ask Miss Lyon if the Clemens family would be in Dublin again this year. What about the dog Prosper—would he remain there long and if not where would he go? Was the wagon and harness for sale, and if so how much? [MTP].

May 16 after – In Tuxedo Park, N.Y. Isabel V. Lyon wrote for Sam to Gerald Christie, of the Outer Temple, London. Sam had “ceased from lecturing permanently 9 years ago” [MTP]. Note: the Outer Temple is thought to have been one of the “Inns of Chancery” where law was taught in the 12^th and 13^th centuries. Today it is occupied by barristers.

May 17 Friday – Harry Windsor Dearborn, Asst. Secretary of The Robert Fulton Monument Assoc. wrote to thank Sam for “a pleasant afternoon” and gave more information on the Sept. 23 Jamestown Expo. [MTP].

John Mead Howells wrote to Sam with bills by Harry A. Lounsbury, dated Apr. 27, May 4 and May 11, totaling $297.37 for the use of men and teams in the construction of the Redding house [MTP].

Dr. Garrett Newkirk wrote from Pasadena, Calif. to Sam after enjoying CS with his invalid son. His neighbor told him in confidence that Science and Health was definitely written mostly by James Henry Wiggins, a Boston journalist and an ex-Unitarian minister [MTP].

Chapters from “My Autobiography—XVIII” ran in the N.A.R. p.113-22.

May 18 Saturday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “C.C. returned to N.Y. and AB arrived, much talk” [MTP TS 57].

Harper’s Weekly ran a full page photo of Mark Twain in his white suit, with the caption, “Clothes and the Man” [Tenney: “A Reference Guide First Annual Supplement,” American Literary Realism, Autumn 1977 p. 334].

A.F. Bradley of Bradley Studios, NYC wrote to Sam. “We are sending you to-night by Wells-Fargo Ex., pre-paid the portraits you are to autograph and return to me,which I will then forward to Mr. James…” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Answd May 27 ‘07”

M.H. Justice wrote before this day from Quincy, Ill. to Sam, referring to a clipping he’d sent about the Mark Twain Hotel in Hannibal, and was wondering if it reached him. Paine was now in Hannibal gathering information for an authorized biography, and Justice was going to see him [MTP].

Knickerbocker Publishing Co. wrote to Sam to “call attention to the sketch of your life which was handed to her [Lyon] by our Mr. Bixler several weeks ago for correction and any important additions..” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Answd May 27, 07”

William Krut wrote for the Tuxedo Club to extend courtesies of the club to Sam during his rental of the Voss cottage [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Thank you very much for the courtesy extended”

 

Virginia Vaughan wrote to ask Sam if he’d be on a committee to “take charge of a fund for the benefit of Countess Eleanor Niebolus…” [MTP].

Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP.  

May 19 Sunday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Much talk, tea down at the club. Oh, so stupid” [MTP TS 57].

 

May 20 Monday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: King and I went to town on the 11:50. AB left earlier on the 8:30. King and I lunched at The Brevoort, lamb stew and beer, and such a good luncheon he found it. He dined at a David Munro Dinner at the Players for Col. Harvey who sails for England on Wednesday. In the afternoon we ran around to Martiging’s Studio to see the model for the Fulton Memorial. It is beautiful [MTP TS 57-58].

Charlotte Teller Johnson wrote on “The Broztell” stationery, NYC to Sam. In part:

My dear Mr Clemens—I am compelled to ask you and Miss Lyons to come in to see me in regard to a very serious statement which is reported to come from her with regard to my acquaintance with you. I should be glad to treat this with the silence which I felt to be my privilege when you and she told me of the gossip for the Players Club, but it is impossible for me [to] do so on the ground that it is merely rumor, for it has come so directly as her statement” [MTP].

 

May 21 Tuesday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: Today the King went to see Jean, making a day of it and came home weary at 7 o’clock. He had a talk with Dr. Sharp who said that only physicians know that the present Czar is an epileptic; people would pity him more if they knew of his terrible malady [MTP TS 58].

Ferris Greenslet wrote to Sam for Houghton Mifflin & Co., just back from “moist refrigeration in London and Paris” and finding Sam’s note of Mar. 30. He would be grateful for whatever letters Sam could send within a month or two of the late Thomas Bailey Aldrich [MTP]. Note: Greenslet initially wrote Clemens on Mar. 26; Sam’s reply is catalogued “after Mar. 27” by MTP; this note specifically puts Sam’s reply to Mar. 30, so the change is made to that date.

May 22 Wednesday – Fatout lists a dinner speech in honor of George B. Harvey, Sam’s publisher. No particulars are given and none were found, neither did Lyon mention it in her journal entry below [676].

 

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Today the King went to Tuxedo and I stayed on because Santa needed a chaperon and I needed to do a lot of extra things.

The King telegraphed me to call on Mrs. J. before I left town. After a palaver she consented to see me this evening, in her negligee. I went up to find that her demand to see Mr. Clemens and me was based on a report that Miss Doty had said that I said that Mrs. Johnson was an adventurer and planning to marry Mr. Clemens. I laughed with relief and amusement over the impossibility of such a thing and she didn’t like it when I made light of the matter. She was grey and savage-looking when I left her and I think we’ll hear from her again [MTP TS 58]. Note: the rumors were about Charlotte Teller Johnson’s “designs” on Twain. See Oct. 22 IVL entry.

Elizabeth K. Harlon wrote from Naban, Mass. to Sam, enclosing a few extracts of a literary work by three ladies for him to consider. The publisher had told them it sounded like a copy of Mark Twain [MTP]. After May 22 Sam replied. “They have applied much too late. Many & many a girl has made the same application, but their work has in all cases been marred by a fatal defect—destitution of originality” [MTP].

Harry E. Brittain wrote on The Pilgrims, Savoy Hotel letterhead, London to ask Sam if he might join them for an informal luncheon, say Tuesday, June 25, during his London stay [MTP].

Oscar T. Crosby wrote for the New York Electric Music Co. to Sam. “Perhaps kind-hearted people should not have their suggestions remembered against them. I cannot however, forget the pleasant words you spoke to me about the Telharmonic System, when I had the pleasure of dining with you at the house of our mutual friend, the Benjamins.” Crosby asked if Sam could offer “a word” to the city authorities, or to Mayor McClellan personally, in favor of the Co. wiring the city [MTP]. After May 22 Sam replied.

I do not know the mayor personally, & am therefore diffident about addressing him directly. But I should be willing, & not only willing, but also glad to have anyone convey to him my conviction which is this: that the telharmonium is destined to be an even greater benefactor to the human race than the telephone & the telegraph, since only a minority of the race can afford the ministrations of that majestic pair of public servants, whereas the whole race, excepting only its paupers, can afford the telharmonium …. [MTP].

Alice Minnie Herts wrote for the Educational Alliance to ask Miss Lyon if Clemens would set a date for their special performance of his play (P&P) before he left for England. They proposed Tuesday, Nov. 19 [MTP].

R.G. Inerwell wrote on Church of the Ascension Parish House stationery, NYC to Miss Lyon that the case of “Mr. J….was not a proper one for Mr. Clemens to assist.” He referred to Lyon’s note of May 14; and that Mrs. Alice McGregor Meuller “has the reputation of being a ‘begging letter’ writer…”  [MTP].

 

John Y. W. MacAlister for Library Magazine, a London quarterly, wrote to Sam.

Herewith is the greeting of the Right Honble. The Lord Mayor of London, who commands me to say that your agent in advance must have made a curious mistake in saying that you propose to start back on the date he has fixed to entertain you at the Mansion House. Surely you can stay over for one more week. If you don’t it will be a cruel disappointment to your Brother Savages [MTP].

George Thomson Wilson for Pilgrims NY wrote to Sam that he’d rec’d a cable from Harry E. Brittain, secretary of The Pilgrims, London, requesting Sam to be guest at a luncheon during his visit [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Cable & say to the Pilgrims, wont you consult Whitelaw Reid consulting a date. .. Not proper etiquette to place a ambassador in 2^nd line / hastily said in cable…”

 

May 23 Thursday – In Tuxedo Park, N.Y. Sam sent two telegrams to George Thomson Wilson, Secretary of the Pilgrim Club, N.Y. branch that he would be glad to be the guest of the London Pilgrims for lunch any date between June 18 and June 28; his second note asked Wilson to cable the London Pilgrims to pin the luncheon date to either June 21 or 22, and cable Sam their acceptance [MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Nothing but shopping & buzzing & flying around doing or un-doing things. Santa and I started for Redding today, but it began to rain before we reached Branchville and so she took train right straight back again. I went on with Mr. Coe and Mr. Turner, for J. Howells had missed his train and we found the place lovelier than ever, for the apple trees were in bloom and it was a day full of beautiful atmosphere. We ate a Brevoort luncheon, up on the hilltop, and then when J.H. did arrive at 2 o’clock we dug each a tiny shovel of earth on the appointed spot. I and J.H. and Mr. Coe and AB and Mr. Sunderland and Mr. Turner, and then they poured in some whiskey, I wonder why? While we were waiting for J.H. to arrive we wandered around over the place and found some exquisite building sites and quite out of the range of the King’s house [MTP TS 58-59]. Note: Lounsbury was not included in her entry, but Coe and Sunderland were; compare to below.

John Mead Howells, Isabel Lyon, Albert Bigelow Paine, and Harry A. Lounsbury, contractor and Redding neighbor, held an informal ground-breaking ceremony for the Redding house that would become Stormfield. Hill writes they poured whiskey into the first shovel hole. Sam did not attend, and may have objected to such a use for a good drink; Mac Donnell calls it “prophetic” [Hill 172; Mac Donnell 4].

 

J.W. Kelley, President of the Denver Colo. Press Club wrote “a gushing request” for Sam’s autograph. Allowing four days for postal service, Sam’s reply is given here as ca. May 27 [MTP].

 

George Grantham Bain wrote from NYC to Sam that they had a request from the Strand Magazine “for photographs of yourself in your home, with your family, with your amanuensis, the exterior of your house or any photographs connected with your home life.” Would he allow their photographer to take such pictures? [MTP].

George Thomson Wilson for Pilgrims of NY wrote to Sam having rec’d his “good telegram of to-day in response to my letter of yesterday, and of cabling to…Brattain of the London Pilgrims that you will accept their invitation to be their guest at luncheon on any day between June 18th and 28th” [MTP].

Thomas Wardle wrote from England to Sam, having heard of his upcoming visit, and expressing “that it will give me and my daughter the greatest pleasure to have you again at Swainsley…”  [MTP].

 

Sixteen-year-old Floyd Wiedermann, and “very interested” in Mark Twain books, wrote from Harvey, Ill., hoping for a reply [MTP].

Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP.  

May 24 Friday – Tuxedo, N.Y.: Isabel Lyon’s journal: The King was glad to have me come home again, and said he had not been able to fraternize with his food because it isn’t pleasant to eat alone.

I came home reeking with weariness at 10:45, and irritated at finding the front door locked. But there was cause for it, for a thief had been in the house the night before. He had entered the girls’ rooms—had tracked his route with candle grease which showed that he had been to the King’s very room and had opened the door and looked at him. We’re nervous now and the sense of security is clear away. I found the girls in excitement, and the King calmly dictating about it. Then we had a splendid talk about my New York adventures and the King wasn’t a bit concerned about the Boztell affair and he was interested in the Redding house. But I’m afraid there won’t be neighbors enough there. It is beautiful [MTP TS 59]. Note: Boztell affair, if not the burglar, is not known.

Roi Cooper Megrue for Elisabeth Marbury wrote to Miss Lyon, enclosing Miss Marbury’s check for $75, the share rec’d from Ernest Hendrie for the Hadleyburg performances [MTP].

George A. Quimby wrote on The Continental Ins. Co. letterhead, NYC to Sam, marking the letter, “Personal.” He was the son of Phineas P. Quimby who practiced the belief that illness could be “cured by a process of reasoning” long before Eddy saw him. “I have documents to prove, and whatever of this is incorporated in Christian Science, Mrs. Eddy got from him. Briefly, had there been no Phineas P. Quimby, there would never have been any Christian Science” [MTP].

Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP.  

May 25 Saturday – In Tuxedo Park, N.Y. Sam drafted a telegram to George Thomson Wilson, Secretary of the Pilgrim Club, N.Y. branch: “Please cable Secretary Brittain for me 25^th suits me exactly” [MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Every morning the King tells me his adventures, or lack of them, of the night before. It’s a dear trait and he takes you so into his confidence when he explains that 3 times his logs broke into a gaudy fire and 3 times he drenched them so with water that he feared the blue ceiling down stairs would be ruined. At first he used his full vocabulary of swear words, oh there never was such a profane pressure—it lessened and finally he hadn’t a word to say. He is lovely in his white clothes these days. We are making plans for his sailing on the 8th. I’ve been ordering his clothes and attending to so many precious duties for him. He is the world wonder [MTP TS 60].

Ralph W. Ashcroft wrote to Sam advising that he’d rec’d a letter from “one of Liverpool’s leading men,” a friend of Ashcroft’s, asking if Sam would “accept the freedom of the city, and a Lord Mayor’s banquet, and all sorts of frills.” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Have already declined by cable”

Spectator ran an anonymous article, “Mark Twain” p. 825-6. Tenney: “An enthusiastic but rather superficial survey of MT’s life and works for English readers when MT came to England to receive an honorary doctoral degree from Oxford” [43].

Andrew Lang’s article, “At the Sign of St. Paul’s,” ran in Illustrated London News, p. 798. Tenney gives us the brief note, in full: “The great American humorist, who has just passed his seventieth birthday, comes to Oxford this summer to receive the degree of D.C.L.” [44].

 

May 26 Sunday – In Tuxedo Park, N.Y. Sam replied to daughter Jean, whose incoming is not extant.  

It saddened me, too, dearest Jean, to go away from you, & it has saddened me since to think about it. But I hope this is the last far journey I shall ever have to take. And indeed I would not take this one if I could avoid it.

I have accepted only 2 public dinners in London, & it is my purpose to limit myself to those two.  They are the Pilgrims & the Ambassador. I am declining by cable the invitation of the City of Liverpool & its lord mayor. I have declined house-hospitalities in London & shall stop at Brown’s hotel.

I have a very kind letter from Lord Curzon, Chancellor of Oxford University, in which he says, “in persuading you to accept the degree I feel that in reality the honors will be paid to us, by one who has always set before himself the highest standards of literary work, & for nearly half a century has made and incomparable addition to the pleasure of the English-speaking race.”

Yes indeed, I will send you a cable as soon as I reach London. I shall not forget, dear heart.

With heaps of love & hugs & kisses— [MTP].

Sam had learned of the death of James Norman Gillis (Jim) and used his A.D. hours to dictate a long piece—eulogy with stories attributed to him; Jim Gillis and the inedible fruit; Jim challenged a man to a duel; the segment was selected for MTE [358-72; May 27 to Hampton]. Note: Jim’s brother William R. Gillis survived him and wrote a 1931 reminiscence, Gold Rush Days with Mark Twain. See entries Vol. 1.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: We are having a tiresome time with Miss Hobby who does seem to be more kinds of an idiot than most stenographers are. When Mr. Clemens does not use her then I do, for my clerical work does not diminish as my other duties increase. She does not like to take my dictations, and is very sour. However — [MTP TS 60]. Note: Lyon ended this entry abruptly, as if interrupted.

John Quincy Adams (b. 1848) wrote on Hotel Marlton, NYC stationery to Sam, having heard of the Redding house construction. Adams recommended a landscape artist, John Nolen, who lived in Cambridge, Mass. [MTP]. Note: Adams was not shown as relating to the famous Adams family or his namesake in the 1906-1907 Who’s Who in America.  His residence is shown as 151 W. 117th NYC and office: Old Flag House, Phila. He was a Public School lecturer  and candidate for Congress, 14^th NY district, 1896, Democrat. One of the founders of Founders and Patriots of America; also Betsy Ross Memorial Assoc.

May 27 Monday – In Tuxedo Park, N.Y. Sam wrote to Marjorie Bowen (pseud. for Gabrielle Margaret Vere Long) giving his London address, Brown’s Hotel.  

“I shall be in England 10 days—June 18–28—& I think you will have to do as the American girls do: waive youth, sex, & the other conventions, & call on me. Yes, & telephone me when you are coming: otherwise we shall fail to collide, for I shall be a very busy person” [MTP: Cyril Clemens, Mark Twain: The Letter Writer, 1932 p.130].

 

Sam also replied to Crittenden Hampton in Sonora, Calif. (Hampton’s not extant).

 

I dictated a long and admiring and affectionate chapter about Jim Gillis, yesterday, and some day or other, in the by and by, it will appear in my Autobiography. It will then be seen that I, and perhaps not another person in the world, knew Jim Gillis for what he was, namely: a man with a fine, and I may even say wonderful imagination, and that he was also a born humorist of the first order. Of course Jim must have known that he was a humorist, but I am quite sure that he never once suspected that his place was in the top rank of the guild.

I thank you very much for your letter [MTP]. Note:see Hampton’s additional note of May 29.

 

Sam also replied to the May 11 from Lyman Pierson Powell.

Oh dear, no,—what the Oakland Herald and the American Queen may think about my motives is far from being a matter of importance to me. In these 40 years my motives have often been exposed by the press, but I have not minded it, & I do not remember ever having printed a word in reply or defence.

I do not mind revealing to you that ten years ago when I was penniless & owed a fortune I wrote a book purposely to get money wherewith to reduce that burden; but all my other books were written mainly & primarily to get pleasure out of writing them. When I carried the X Science book to the Harpers, 5 years ago, they asked me not to insist upon its publication, they being afraid it could hurt their house by antagonizing the Scientists. I did not insist, but left them to choose their own time—which they did. They have issued it now, without any urgencies from me. I do not believe that really pure people, like those Herald & Queen immaculates, would write a book merely to get money; but I would, if I were needy, because I am used to acting disgraceful, & don’t mind it; but so long as I continue to dig $70,000 a year out of the Harpers on magazine stuff & old copyrights you will always find me acting respectable. Even to the verge of good grammar.

No, dear D^r. Powell, let me not interrupt those frolicky gents; they like to hear themselves talk, & it doesn’t discommode me [MTP].

Sam also replied to the May 7 from Florence Duncan Jones in Staten Island:

 

Dear Madam: / I have read the first half of the article but it does not interest me; because, to me, reasonings from Christian Science are as vain and empty and wearisome as are discussions of theology. I have no reverence for theologies and I take no interest in them. I take a strong and indestructible interest in Mrs. Eddy. But this is merely because she is picturesque and unusual. I take the same interest in Satan [Note: See also May 7. This copy varies from what was written on Jones’ letter, a somewhat more colorful version. This is likely the final wording.]

 

Sam also wrote to Francis H. Skrine in London.

Indeed I have not forgotten my old friends & admirers & shall be very glad to meet them again.

. . . .

I should be exceedingly glad to enjoy the shelter of your roof, but I shall have to go to a hotel (Brown’s) instead, because I shall have to be on tap to a good many friends & shall be in England only 10 days [MTP: Silverman catalogs, No. 18, July 2000, Item 17].

Sam also cabled the City of Liverpool to decline an invitation of the Lord Mayor. The cable is not extant but announced he was “declining by cable” in his May 26 to Jean.

Isabel Lyon wrote instructions for a reply to Robert Lutz’s May 13. “At the end of a month or so write to Col. Harvey F. Sq. who will be in American by the middle of July & he can discuss the matter with Clemens”

 [MTP].

 

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Went to town” [MTP TS 60].

May Cline wrote from Philipsburg, NJ to ask Sam for his help in getting the poems published—of her “chum—a dear fellow now in Japan—Raley Husted Bell—perhaps you know him…” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Answd June 6, ‘07”

Katharine I. Harrison wrote to Sam. “I have bought the 400 Anaconda, as you requested—200 at 60 and 200 at 59, as per enclosed bills. I am returning you the balance of your money, namely, $6,150., having no further order. I will hold the stock until I hear from you” [MTP].

 

John Mead Howells wrote to Sam [MTP]. Note: not found at MTP.

Florence Duncan Jones wrote to Sam [MTP]. Note: not found at MTP.

Jervis Langdon II wrote to congratulate Sam on the Oxford honor, and asked for the balance ($2,500) for his stock subscription to the Hope-Jones Organ Co. Of course, prospects were good [MTP].

Miss Silly W. Silverstein wrote from Syracuse, NY to Sam. He was the owner of The Celebrated Jumping Frog published by C.H. Webb in 1868 and wanted to know if it was his first publication [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Answrd July 30, 07”

Charles Warren Stoddard wrote from Monterey, Calif. to Sam having read of their “London life” experiences in his Autobiography chapters in NAR, which had made Stoddard famous there—everyone wanted to shake his hand which was somewhat embarrassing. He’d thought his reputation had been made many years before by the publication of South Sea Idles, but the NAR made it grow. He’d never made any money from his writings, and only a slight amount from Idles. The NAR issues were scarce there [MTP].

George Thomson Wilson for Pilgrims NY. wrote to Sam still trying by cables back and forth to Harry E. Brittain, to pin down a date for the luncheon in London with the London Pilgrims [MTP].

May 27 ca. – In Tuxedo Park, N.Y. Sam replied to the May 23 of J.W. Kelley of the Denver Press Club’s request for autograph:

“Write on it: Mark Twain Dean of the planet’s journalism; joined the guild in 1849, aged 14, & has not broken the connection in 58 years.” [MTP]. Note: this may have been instructions to Lyon.

May 28 Tuesday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Went to town” [MTP TS 60].

Frederick D. Wardle wrote to Sam (c/o Chatto & Windus) on Town Clerk’s Office, Guildhall, Bath stationery to Sam.

“We are anxious to make use of  you when you come over to add to the renown and attractions of the City by unveiling a tablet to one orother of the famous literary men who have at one time lived in Bath…probably rest between Bulwer Lytton, Thackeray, Sheridan, Smollett or Dr Johnson”—did Sam have a preference? [MTP]. Note: Frederick was the Town Clerk and son of Thomas Wardle; see May 23 for the latter.

 

May 29 Wednesday – In Tuxedo Park, N.Y. Sam wrote to H.H. Rogers.

Dear Admiral: / Why hang it, I am not going to see you & Mrs. Rogers at all in England! It is a great disappointment. I leave there a month from now—June 29. No, I shall see you; for by your itinerary you are most likely to come to London June 21^st or along there. So that is very good & satisfactory. I have declined all engagements but two—Whitelaw Reid (dinner) June 21, and the Pilgrims (lunch), June 25. The Oxford ceremony is June 26. I have paid my return passage in the Minne-something, but it is just possible that I may want to stay in England a week or two longer—I can’t tell, yet. I do very much want to meet-up with the boys for the last time.

Harry is getting along all right; I was there three or four days ago & saw him.

Mr. Vanderbilt is back in New York & doubtless has invited Mr. Cleveland in behalf of the Fulton Association. I have already invited him in behalf of the Kanawha.

I have signed the contract for the building of the house on my Connecticut farm & specified the cost-limit, & work has been begun. The cost has to all come out of a year’s installments of Autobiograph_[y_] in the N. A. Review.

Clara is winning her way to success & distinction with sure-steady strides. By all accounts she is singing like a bird, & is not afraid of the concert stage any more.

Jean will never be well, but is contented & happy where she is & does not want to see the city again.

Miss Lyon runs Clara, & Jean & me, & the servants, & the housekeeping, & the house-building,& the secretary work, & remains as extraordinarily competent as ever. Mr. Broughton—after his characteristically engaging & Broughtonian fashion—was elaborately courteous & courtly to her on sight (there at his office) & said he was intemperately eager to help her run my stock-affairs, & even threatened to take her out to lunch at his club some day. I think Miss Lyon is a flirt—& Broughton the same.

Tuxedo is a charming place; I think it hasn’t its equal anywhere.

Very best wishes to you both [MTHHR 625-6]. Note: Sam’s ship was the SS Minnesota. Cornelius Vanderbilt was the President and Sam the vice president of the Robert Fulton Monument Assoc. A celebration was planned for the Sept. 23, 1907 at The Jamestown Exposition in Virginia.

 

After May 29 Sam replied to Constance Clyde at the Writers Club in London, whose request is undated. “I should dearly like to write it, but I am too rusty on the facts now, & have forgotten where to look for them. But your suggestion is a high compliment to me, & I prize it & thank you for it” [MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Calls. Yes we made calls, and found the Ronaldses at home, just back from getting a new mobile. It’s a lovely house. Mr. Clemens is carried away by the loveliness of this place. He says he has never seen so beautiful a place in all his travels. To me it is the expression of artificiality and great wealth; and I’m beginning to feel a hankering, a great quiet longing for Dublin and the upper pasture and the road leading to the Raynor Cottage. There I was almost-a-free creature of the hills. Here I am a gloved and card-cased thing [MTP TS 60-61].

Harry E. Brittain wrote to Sam confirming June 25 as the luncheon date with the Pilgrims, London [MTP].

Ralph Danenhower for Frank N. Doubleday wrote to Sam, sending six copies of “What is Man?” and furnishing Rudyard Kipling’s address, Batesman’s Burwash, Sussex, England [MTP].

Therese Girand wrote from Katonah, NY to Miss Lyon about Jean and doing errands for her when going to NYC [MTP].

Crittenden Hampton wrote to Sam shortly before this date. Hampton was an attorney in Tuolumne County, Calif. He wrote to advise of the passing of Jim Gillis and related that Jim’s one letter from Mark Twain was the prize of his life [MTP].

 

Harper & Brothers wrote to Sam that Baron Tauchnitz asked if he could publish CS—would Sam give permission? [MTP]. Note: Sam answered the following day.

Howells & Stokes wrote to Sam and John Mead Howells enclosed a handwritten note to Lyon—all concerning “the possibility of constructing the open veranda to the west with the extra bedroom and bath above” [MTP].

John Japp, Mayor of Liverpool, England, wrote to Sam, offering “the hospitality of our Town Hall, on your arrival here or at any time during your English visit,” hoping regardless of Sam’s prior cable, that he might reconsider [MTP]. Note: Sam enclosed Japp’s letter and also Japp’s June 14 in his June 19 reply.

H.L. Pangborn wrote (not extant) from 48 Wall St., N.Y.C. to Sam [MTP]. On or after this date Sam replied: “Your note about our lost hell is a refreshing breeze to me. It was the most valuable thing we had, & I do not think we have anything to live for now— / Sincerely yours” [MTP].

 

In his A.D. for this day Sam commented on John Burroughs (1837-1921), ed. Songs of Nature. Gribben: “Burroughs is ‘a heavyweight’ who intimates that ‘he knows more about an animal than the animal knows about itself’” [117]. Note: See also May 30; Sam also mentioned William Joseph Long’s nature books and observed that at least he wrote from his own observations, his only fault being a tendency to overestimate the intelligence of the creatures he described [419]. Sam’s A.D. also included a remark about Theodore Roosevelt: “If he should die now, he would be mourned as no ruler has been mourned save Nero” [677].  

Of the selections from Twain’s A.D.’s, DeVoto selected about half of the materials not chosen before by Paine to be included in Mark Twain in Eruption (1940); among DeVoto’s choices, was “Naturalist and Nature-Fakir,” dictated this day, which criticized Roosevelt’s attack of naturalist William Joseph Long, and of other criticism of Theodore Roosevelt, including Executive Order 78, which established military pensions for all veterans, disabled or not, between the ages of 62 and 70, at a cost of about five million per year. Sam saw the order as a naked grab for votes. Sam Clemens was no socialist [19-22].

May 30 Thursday – Sam replied to Harper’s of May 29: Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “If the London people will just ask C&W [Chatto & Windus] they will find that they can let Harpers know. They transferred” [MTP].

 

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Days and weeks are passing and I am not writing a word about the most wonderful creature in the world, but I’ll try to hark back. He is in love with Tuxedo.

Today, as well as yesterday, when we were driving around making calls, he was like a young creature who had been caged for years. At Mrs. Alfred Seton’s today the talk plunged at once into the fact that there is no such thing as “will power” and the King waxed fine and strong, but they were bent on convincing him that he had not convinced them and couldn’t convince them in 25 years. They cared so much for their own point of view that they couldn’t comprehend his. Then we went to the Rogerses. H.H. has had a postprandial operation for some private thing that the King as forgotten the name of, but we found him well enough to be down stairs and so we went in and chatted, until a crowd of young creatures came in. Then home we came very tired and both of us in bed by 8:30 [MTP TS 61].

In his A.D. for this day, Sam referred to several notable naturalists: the extraordinary mind of Aristotle [Gribben 27]. Sam Also commented on John Burroughs, ed. Songs of Nature. “Burroughs…backs up his assertions merely by his ‘say-so’” [117]. Note: See May 29 on Burroughs. Sam mentioned Also the 14^th Century naturalist, Sir John Mandeville (pseud. of an unknown compiler); Sam’s copy of Early Travels in Palestine (1848) includes Mandeville’s account of his journey to the Holy Land [448]. Sam also asserted that “Natural history is … not an exact science,” and no naturalist can post as an “unassailable authority”—not even Aristotle, Pliny, or Sir John Mandeville [550].

 

Of the selections from Twain’s A.D.’s, DeVoto selected about half of the materials not chosen before by Paine to be included in Mark Twain in Eruption (1940); among DeVoto’s choices, was more on the Roosevelt/Long controversy, continued from his dictation of the previous this day [22-4].

 

May 31 Friday – In Tuxedo Park, N.Y. Isabel V. Lyon wrote for Sam to Robert Underwood Johnson. “M^r. Clemens asks me to say that he cannot serve an active part in the Academy, & so regrets that he is not able to send in any nominations. He believed that his Silence would be an answer” [MTP].

Sam also wrote to Mrs. William Wooster in Crisfeld, Md. “I do not read my letters, they are all read to me by my Secretary. The replies that shall be sent are determined by me. I think they are never vague, but deal in straight & definite statements easily understandable” [MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Santa arrived and we had a dinner tonight. Oh, such a dinner. Father Fitzsimmons, Rev. Percy Grant and a tired bored King. So tired and so bored that he nearly exploded, but he made a fine fight, and talked about Jews, and filled us with admiration over his statistics. Percy Grant had decided to return home that night, which meant we had to sit up until 11:40 and we sweated, forcing talk. The King sat under the electric light, his face luminously tired, and his eyes black as coal under his great brows—the eyebrows every fool of a barber wants to trim, and the King quietly declines to have it done [MTP TS 61-62].

Harper & Brothers wrote to Sam. “Your letter of yesterday is at hand. / In reply, we beg leave to say that we are writing to our London house, in the line of your letter, in regard to Baron Tauchnitz’s application for permission to publish” CS “in his Continental Library” [MTP].

Katharine I. Harrison wrote to Sam. “I think the enclosed check from the United States Steel Corporation for $350., Preferred stock dividend, belongs to you. Will you kindly have your Certificate made in your own name, so that your check will be sent direct to you” [MTP].

Charles J. Langdon wrote on Hotel Manhattan, NYC letterhead to Sam, enclosing check for $25 to “cover one Atlanta Gas coupon, due Juen 1^st , to the estate of Susie Clemens…Don’t let those English boys over there get any the best of you. Remember that you are not Oliver Wendell Holmes” [MTP].

June – In Tuxedo Park, N.Y. Sam wrote to daughter Jean, who evidently was dissatisfied at Katonah, and also unhappy with Isabel V. Lyon.  

Jean dear, if your mother were here she would know how to think for you and plan for you and take care of you better than I do; but we have lost her, and a man has no competency in these matters. I have to have somebody in whom I have confidence to attend to every detail of my daily affairs for me except my literary work. I attend to not one of them myself; I give the instructions and see that they are obeyed. I give Miss Lyon instructions—she does nothing of her own initiative. When you blame her you are merely blaming me—she is not open to criticism in the matter. When I find that you are not happy in that place I instruct her to ask Drs. [Frederick] Peterson and Hunt to provide a change for you, and she obeys the instructions. In her own case I provide no change, for she does all my matter well, and although they are often delicate or difficult she makes no enemies, either for herself or for me. I am not acquainted with another human being of whom this could be said. It would not be possible for any other person to see reporters and strangers every day, refuse their requests, and yet send them away good and permanent friends to me and to herself—but I should make enemies of many of them if I tried to talk with them. The servants in the house are her friends, they all have confidence in her: and not many people can win and keep a servant’s friendship and esteem—one of your mother’s highest talents. All Tuxedo likes Miss Lyon—the hackmen, the aristocrats and all. She has failed to secure your confidence and esteem and I am sorry. I wish it were otherwise, but it is no argument since she has not failed in any other person’s case. One failure to fifteen hundred successes means that the fault is not with her.

I am anxious that Dr. Peterson shall place you to your satisfaction, and I have not a doubt that he will find such a place if it exists. God Almighty alone is responsible for your temperament, your malady, and all your troubles and sorrows. I cannot blame you for them and I do not.

Lovingly and compassionately, / Your Father [MTP].

Putnam’s Magazine ran an article by John Mead Howells: “Mark Twain’s House—to Be Built at Redding, Connecticut,” p. 376. “From a drawing in red chalk by the architect, John Mead Howells” (Son of William Dean Howells). Tenney: “On pp. 377-378, there are a report of Albert Bigelow Paine’s plans to live nearby, an extract from the New York TIMES on details of the house, and the report that MT does not plan to look at the house until it is complete and furnished, with the cat purring on the hearth before the fire” [Tenney: “A Reference Guide Second Annual Supplement,” American Literary Realism, Autumn 1978 p. 175-6].

 

In late June Ernest A. Ebblewhite for Worshipful Soc. Gardeners, London sent Sam an engraved invitations to meet the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs at Dinner at Fishmonger’s Hall, London Bridge, Tuesday July 9 at 7 p.m [MTP].

 

Seumas McManus wrote to Sam. “I thank you, sincerely, dear Mr. Clemens, for your beautiful words, written in my autograph book” [MTP].

June 1 Saturday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: Will came out today and there was very great music in the afternoon. The piano is down in hall and from my 3rd story I slipped down a flight, I had on a long thin black silk gown that made a little swish, just enough for the King who stood in his underdrawers in the 2nd hall, to hear and make him look up at me with his eyes shining with delight. He had come home from Mary Rogers’s and had gone to bed tired. I was picking wild azalea up on the bank (for the great mass of dogwood on the table the night before had cut off his view of every face, and he wanted to pick it up and throw it out the window), when he came slowly up the hill, and went right to bed, so there he stood in the hall listening to Santa. He had slipped off his trousers and stockings and he had his yellow calabash pipe in his hand. It is so true, that the ruts people complain that I am in because I don’t holiday more, are far higher than their greatest heights [MTP TS 62-63]. Note: Charles E. Wark, “Will” was Clara’s touring pianist.

Athenaeum ran an anonymous review of King Leopold’s Soliloquy, p. 664. Tenney: “Very brief review. Declares that ‘Mark Twain is a serious writer of considerable courage as well as a humorist,’ and his pamphlet is ‘a trenchant satire’” [43].

Isabel Lyon gave Sam a copy of Puck of Pook’s Hill¸ by Rudyard Kipling (1906), and he thought he saw resemblances in it to parts of his “Mysterious Stranger” manuscripts [Gribben 381: Lyon’s journal].

Howells & Stokes wrote to Sam about problems with the excavation of the Redding house [MTP].

June 2 Sunday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: Santa left at 3:14 and I came back to build a fire in my study and to settle down and read Dr. Long’s reply to Roosevelt’s attack on his books of nature[.] I went to sleep in the chaise lounge and rested some weary things within me, and went down at 7 o’clock to a solitary dinner, for the King had lunched with the Rogers’s. To my delight the King came wandering into the room with the salad, and then he talked steadily until after 10. He’d like to have Paine double column one or 2 of Long’s books with one or two of Roosevelt’s and he wants to write an article himself on this debate. After dinner we talked in the library. He wants to take the “Mysterious Stranger” MS over for Kipling to see, for parts of it are represented in “Puck of Pook’s Farm” that I took down to the King last night. Then he talked about missionaries, with not much respect for them [MTP TS 63]. Note: The references here are to the Theodore Roosevelt–William Joseph Long clash over Long’s nature books. Gribben gives Long (1867-1952) and lists his Beasts of the Field (1901) among Twain’s library [419].

 

June 3 Monday – In Tuxedo Park, N.Y. Isabel V. Lyon wrote for Sam to Chatto & Windus. “M^r. Clemens asks me to write for him & say that he must refer you to the London Harpers, and say to them that he has no objection himself to the cheaper edition of the three books you mention; but that as he is a sort of partner of the Harpers, he cannot give his consent without consulting them” [MTP].

Sam also wrote an invitation to H.H. Rogers, Jr. and Mary B. Rogers, also in Tuxedo Park, N.Y.

The pleasure of the company of

Mr. & Mrs. H. H. Rogers, jr.

is requested at luncheon at the Voss domicile on Wednesday, 1.30 p. m. to meet Mr. Clemens, the celebrated humorist.

Informal

Dress not necessary.

Only clothes [MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s journal quoted the above invitation: Here at 6:15 the King came slipping up to my room with just his silk underclothes on—such a beautiful man he is—with a little invitation for Mary and Harry Rogers to lunch here on Wednesday—“to meet the celebrated humorist” [quote of last 3 lines of above invitation here]. He said this morning that he’d like to have Miss Hobby hurry and finish copying the “Mysterious Stranger” ms., “like to have her pull off that job in a hurry as the prophet used to say.”

He is my most complete delight. Evenings he sits in the living room under the great electric light and he seems to be all the colors of soap bubbles, for there is a great red shade that excludes the light from every one but the King [MTP TS 64].

John B. Downing wrote from Middleport, Ohio. to Sam, enclosing a clipping (“Londoner Remembers Old Times on the River” about John E. Rowland) sent to him from Daytona, Fla. By Dr. G.E. Watton.

On arrival at Baltimore, several took me by the hand calling me ‘Mr. Clemens’ etc, by which I learned you were being entertained by the Governor and wife. Col Latham, Wm R Hoel and Belden were with you on the Quaker City after which you wrote ‘Innocents Abroad’—all from Cincinnati & all dead. Is this correct? I was a Cub under Hoel who with the others named went up in a balloon and had their ribs broke. On George Smiths farm near Waymouth Ohio. I was to go on Quaker City with above named party but got broke, on Poker and am reformed now; like Bob Taylor, Gov of Tenn occasionally speak a piece and play the fiddle. Of course, you remember Rowland, —Downing  [MTP].

 

Ella McMahon wrote to Sam on a card pasted with an article from the NY Sun for June 3, “An English Opinion of Samuel L. Clemens. / From the Spectator.” The article recalled Sam’s involvement in the Batavia disaster, and spoke to the upcoming Oxford degree. “But he is above all, the fearless, upholder of all that is clean, noble, straightforward, innocent and manly…Mark Twain …stands for all that Englishmen like best.” Ella wrote one sentence under the clipping “‘So say we all of us’ – an American echo voiced by yours truly” [MTP].

 

June 4 Tuesday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: We dined with the Ronalds’s tonight. She was like a pretty marquise, and it was nice to fly along home in the electric jigger. The King was in behind a bank of green stuff and so I couldn’t see him at all, but he wore his white clothes, and was beautiful to look upon.

I came home very much exhausted and threw myself on the bed in my evening gown to read a letter from Mother…[MTP TS 64].

Bliss Carman, wrote to Sam. “If you should meet Mr. [Mitchell] Kinnerly, who is to be a fellow passenger with you on Saturday, pray recognize him as one of the decent people of the world” [MTP].

Oscar T. Crosby wrote for the New York Cahill Telharmonic Co. to Sam thanking him for his kind words which would be helpful when transmitted to the Mayor [MTP]. See After May 22 for Sam’s earlier reply.

K. Minoura wrote from Tokyo, Japan on “Hochi Shimbun” letterhead (“The Oldest News Paper In Japan”) to ask Sam for “A few words from your pen” on any “opinion on things Japanese” [MTP]. 

June 5 Wednesday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: Tonight we dined at the Mortimers in a very beautiful house, 16 of us. I sat between Dr. Rushmore and Mr. Pell, and had a very good time. They have wonderful pewter there and great stone carved fireplaces. It was a very formal dinner, and so the King wore black.

Tomorrow we start for N.Y. [MTP TS 65]. Note: Edward C. Rushmore. The Tuxedo Club 1908 book lists five men named Pell; Herbert C. Pell as a founder of the Club.

J.W. Bothwell wrote to Theo. De Vinne & Co. [MTP]. (Previously catalogued as to Clemens).

June 6 Thursday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: Today we came into town to begin the preparations for England. It’s a good thing that Ashcroft can go with him, but it has been making me heart-sick I think. I drifted into a headache and staggered about the house, but went down to dinner. Mr. Wark was here, and Mr. Paine, and after dinner the King led the way at once to the billiard room. I sat with those 2 sweet children for awhile and they gave me a ring, a lapis lazuli, in a quaint setting. I went to the billiard room for a very little while to show my new ring and to watch that darling game, but I couldn’t stay long, for the fiery red snake was feeding its way up into my head, and my bed was the best place on earth [MTP TS 65]. Note: Charles E. Wark, “Will,” Clara’s pianist.

John A. Kirlicks wrote from Houston, Tex to Sam, somewhat upset that his poem had been returned by the Century Magazine. “I now enclose it to you to make such use of it as your judgment suggests in giving it the broadest circulation” [MTP]. Note: The poem is not in the file.

Lyman Pierson Powell wrote from Northhampton, Mass. to thank Sam for his letter, and to advise he’d send his book on Christian Science by Putnam’s when it came out. He claimed he’d gotten closer to Mrs. Eddy than any other critic [MTP]. 

 

June 6 after – Butterick Publishing Co. for Theodore Dreiser sent Clemens a printed card announcing that Theodore Dreiser “had taken charge of the editorial departments of The Delineator” [MTP].

June 7 Friday – In Tuxedo Park, N.Y. Sam wrote a dedication to Steve Gillis: “To / Steve Gillis / with the unabated love / of his oldest friend— / Mark Twain / New York, June 7, 1907” [MTP].

 

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Today I’m ill, ill all day, the King went to lunch with David Munro and one or two or three or 4 others. Maj. Leigh and ABP. Before he left he came and sat with me, and when he came back and I was showing the packing of the King’s trunk to Ashcroft he brought me a great pink rose that had been a part of the dinner decoration and AB brought me another. He had pounded out his feelings about Roosevelt and was great, so the applause was heavy. I got up in time for dinner, the King’s last dinner before his sailing, and sat with him in his room as he smoked his long calabash pipe. Just sat there and pretended to talk, there were a few things to make an excuse over. It is always so peaceful in the King’s room, there is something so soothing in his smoking [MTP TS 65-66].

Educational Theatre For Children sent a telegram wishing Sam a pleasant voyage & safe return [MTP].

Stephen Leacock wrote from Orilla, Canada: “Dear Mr. Clemens: The Monthly hasn’t come yet; but I look forward to getting it…” [Univ. of Chicago Regenstein Library; copy by Tenney]. Note: evidently Clemens had written to Leacock; not extant.

J.W.T. Ley for Dickens Fellowship, London wrote to invite Sam to their Gallery, from July 19 to Aug. 28 [MTP].

Cornelius Vanderbilt for Robert Fulton Monument wrote to Sam acknowledging his “very interesting letter of May 20th regarding the passage of the Bill by the State Legislature of NewYork, granting our Association the two blocks of land under water on the Hudson River front, for the erection of the Water Gate and Memorial to Robert Fulton.” He understood Sam had volunteered to ask Carnegie, while in London, for a liberal subscription [MTP].

Dorothy Butes began a letter to Sam from Alton, N.H. that she finished on June 8. She was having “a jolly time” camping in “a rustic cottage overlooking the lake” with 11 other girls. “I hope you will be glad to come back to ‘Old New York,’ after all your triumphs in London…”  [MTP].

In his A.D. Sam recalled that his children greatly enjoyed “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” [Gribben 326].  

 

 

June 8 Saturday – Clara Clemens’ 33^rd birthday. She saw her father off for England [MTB 1381]

Exactly 40 years from the day he sailed on the Quaker City, Sam and Ralph W. Ashcroft sailed on the S.S. Minneapolis for England [MTHHR 626n1]. Clara Clemens, Isabel Lyon, and Albert Bigelow Paine saw the pair off at the pier, Paine having returned from his information-gathering interviews in the West. Paine had heard of Sam’s Oxford degree only upon reaching New Orleans on his return to New York [MTB 1377-9]. The New York Times, June 9, p.9 reported:

The New York Sun bested the Times and other city papers by putting the story on the front page, June 9

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Saturday night and the King has gone. He sailed on the Minnesota at 4 o’clock. There were so many reporters about him that we could not stay very long and Santa wanted to come home. It seemed so strange and pitiful to have to leave him. I was lying weak and sick when AB came to tell me that he had seen the dear King surrounded by a hideous lot of people and a man ½ drunk threw his arm around the King’s neck and said he’d known him 40 years ago. I do hope Ashcroft will brace up and take care of him. AB made some photographs of him, and stayed to see the ship move off. It’s all wrong to let him go off like that. He is going for honors, but he ought to go with the proper protection too [MTP TS 66].

Dorothy Butes finished her June 7 camping letter. “We tried crossing the Brook again this morning, for our study-hour, but we fell in!” [MTP].

Jervis Langdon II sent a telegram: “Aunt Sue and all Langdons send love and best wishes for a splendid time” [MTP].

Julia Langdon Loomis sent a telegram: “Father and Edward join me in the deepest affection and best wishes to you” [MTP].

 

On the first page of the Lyon-Ashcroft MS, Clemens wrote “Major Leigh gave us the first case of Queen Anne whisky June 8/07” [L-A MS]. Note: the page contained a list of dates that cases had been acquired, intended as ammunition against Isabel Lyon. Frederick T. Leigh of Harpers. The dates: Jan. 8, Feb. 18, Apr. 15, July 22, Aug. 31, Sept., Nov. 3—all 1908. Also Jan. 18, 1909. The total of eleven cases.

 

The Reader (London) ran a review of “King Leopold’s Soliloquy,” on p. 146. In part:

 

 

June 8-17 Monday – On board the S.S. Minneapolis en route to England, Sam wrote to Carlotta Welles (whom he dubbed “Charlie”) on a calling card:

“Charlie, dear, you don’t know what you are missing. There’s more than two thousand porpoises in sight, & eleven whales, & sixty icebergs, & both Dippers, & seven rainbows, & all the battleships of all the navies, & me. / SLC” [MTAq 40].

 

Sam’s A.D. of July wrote of the voyage and of Carlotta (Charlie):  

 

We had a lazy, comfortable, homelike, nine-day passage, over smooth seas, with not enough motion in a thousand miles to make a baby sick. The ships of that line are very large and very steady, and most satisfactorily slow and deliberate. They have spacious decks, and every passenger has a deal more room than he needs; they are freight ships, and have accommodation for only a handful of passengers. This one was full, with only a hundred and fifty-four. Fifty-one of them were college girls, with their protectors, going out on vacation to study Europe. This was pleasant to me, who am rather abnormally partial to young girls. I took care of most of these, and did it very well, as everybody conceded. The pick of the flock was a very pretty and very sweet child of seventeen who looked only fourteen, and who seemed only fourteen, and remained only fourteen to me to the end of the voyage. I selected her before we were out of sight of land, and borrowed her from her three elderly aunts and placed her at my side at the captain’s table, and from that time until the end of the voyage she had no occasion to miss her mother—if I do say it myself that shouldn’t. Her name was Carlotta but I changed it to Charley, which seemed to me to improve it. She was a gifted and cultivated little creature [MTFWE 11-12].

 

Also on board was Prof. Archibald Henderson of the University of North Carolina. Henderson was on his way to London to gather information on a biography of George Bernard Shaw whom Sam would meet on the dock at Tilbury, England. See June 18 entries. Paine also notes Rev. Dr. Francis Landey Patton, President of the Princeton Theological Seminary, Peter Richards, and some school-girls were on board [MTB 1380]. Note: see June 17 for more on Patton and Richards. Henderson would produce three volumes on Shaw, in 1911, 1932, and 1956.

 

Frederick T. Leigh sent a “Marconigram” telegram to Sam on the S.S. Minneapolis sometime during his voyage (June 8 to 18): “Overlooked asking about your favorite fairy story will you telegraph its name” [MTP].

 

The London Daily Mail also sent a “Marconigram” telegram to Sam on the S.S. Minneapolis sometime during his voyage (June 8 to 18): “Should like on business terms 500 words exclusive interview preferably written yourself on aspects American rush  Europe and British attraction for yourself  our representative meets you Tilbury / Daily Mail”  [MTP].

 

June 9 Sunday –  Isabel Lyon’s journal: Ah, it was fortunate that Santa and Will [Charles E. Wark] and I went off for a holiday up to the Bronx and to drive at—I cannot remember where. I believe my little remaining reason would have gone for I was growing lonelier with every hour, if we had not had real and new diversion. I shall stay on here until Thurs. or Friday, for now that C.C. has put all the house-keeping into my hands I shall begin tomorrow with these upper rooms [MTP TS 66].

Alice Clinton wrote from London asking if he remembered her and her niece Muriel Elliot remembered him “most cordially”—would he “go a little trip on the river” with them sometime during his stay? [MTP].

 

W. Stillwell inexplicably sent a notice of “Lightning Fatality at Goring” with no other comments [MTP].

June 10 Monday – Peter Richards drew a sketch of Mark Twain sometime during the voyage. See insert, captioned: “Sketched from life by P. Richards.” 

     

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Dusting books and cleaning Jean’s closet and thinking of a big plunging ship. A.B. came in to find me on a stepladder, and I so glad to see him, then he left, happily he missed his train and so he came back to go over instalments for the N.A. Review, but he grew tired of that—because he was tired already, so we went up to Boyagian’s [sic Boyajian Bros.] to look at mugs and bought one, a Khiva, I believe, for the new old house.

At 5 o’clock le grand Howland came in to talk up an Italian trip—a debuting trip, for Santa. It sounds sweeter than anything that could happen to for a young singer, for his scheme, Will said he is afraid it is just that, so I had to use the word plan—is to go to Siena, Padua, Piaceuza, Bologna, Venice, Brindisi, Pola and other little cities. Oh, the little cities of Italy. We are all excitement, but Santa is beginning a tonsillitis [MTP TS 67].

 

Ella M. Glynes sent Sam a luncheon invitation from the Society of American Women in London [MTP].

 

Louis M. Howland wrote to Sam from Paris, addressing him as “Brother Player.” The letter is an appreciation of JA with the last paragraph in French [MTP].

 

Tom Pechey wrote on a mourning card from Tonbridge, England: “Dear old friend. / Wouldn’t you like a chat over old Virginia City Times? My wife and I would be delighted if you would come down to lunch with us” [MTP].

Francis H. Skrine wrote from London to “implore” Sam “not to leave England without giving us a chance of shaking you by the hand, of only for the sake of old times” [MTP].

 

June 11 Tuesday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: This morning a man name o’ Johnson came in to talk to me about the King’s first editions. He was sent by Cartoonist Opper to AB, but not finding either he “bumped the bumps himself” and came along. He wants to make a bibliography of the King’s books. He sees money in it and wants to take me into a kind of partnership—“graft”—the King will say for I have written him a scrap of a note about it. I am so grateful for work, hard work, for now the loneliness is greater as Santa is ill with tonsillitis, really wretchedly ill. She is so enchanting a creature.

Jean got the King to promise that he would cable her and not Santa, upon his arrival in England, and Mr. Ashcroft was good enough to say that he’d cable his home office here and have them telephone at once to me. For Jean may or may not bother to let us know. Poor old Jean.

Poor Therese cried bitterly up on my room when she told me of Jean’s unkindnesses. A long, busy, monotonous day, cleaning the guest room.

Took Jean’s new maid Blanche up to her [MTP TS 68].

Lord Avebury (John Lubbock) wrote a short invitation for Sam to visit on the 25^th or any day while he was there, and he would “ask a few literary & scientific friends to meet you” [MTP].

Cronin, Reading & Co., Tailors, Plymouth, England wrote to Sam: “Dear Sir / We have been anxiously waiting to hear from you in your account, kindly let us have remittance by return as we cannot possibly let it stand any longer” [MTP]. Note: found in Sept. 19, 1907 file from William M. Clemens.

Harry Windsor Dearborn wrote for the Robert Fulton Monument Assoc. that he was sending “two exact copies of the invitations to Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland, as well as to Mr. and Mrs. H.H. Rogers” for the Sept. 23 affair [MTP].

W.K. Halstead wrote a postcard from Terre Haute, Ind. appreciating Sam’s Autobiography [MTP].

Rudyard Kipling wrote from Sussex, England,

…so glad to get your note of 31^st May and to learn that you are staying at Browns—our pet particular hotel. / My June engagements (which are thick) have obliged me to decline several opportunities of meeting you but I didn’t care so much because we have got to meet in long red gowns and mortarboard caps at Oxford on the 25th June. /It’s delightful to think of you on this side the water and I don’t despair of seeing you down here. You can’t be over for only eleven days… [MTP].

Henry W. Lucy wrote from London enclosing invitations he hoped Sam would accept. Lucy reminded that Clemens had “meanly left New York on the very morning—is it four years ago?—that Mrs. Lucy and I set foot on it’s marble wharfs. So you owe us some compensation” [MTP].

 

June 12 Wednesday – H.H. Rogers replied from Vichy, France to Sam, likely to his May 29 from Tuxedo Park. He’d rec’d Sam’s letter and thought they would meet in London as he was also invited by Lancaster of Liverpool to the Pilgrim’s Luncheon. Rogers family’s plans were to go to Paris on June 19 and to London on June 23, then on to Liverpool on June 27 and sail from Queenstown the next day. He announced if Sam wished to return with them they’d be delighted: “The only essentials this time will be drunkenness, profanity and sodomy” [MTP].  He also wrote about the upcoming Jamestown event:

 

That Jamestown show will come off as arranged. You and Cleveland and Harry are welcome to everything but if you take on board that fakir from Washington I’ll have him dumped from a Water Closet. Where better dung is made. You remember Rice’s yard about the Cheese and what was on it [MTHHR 627]. Note: fakir was likely T. Roosevelt. Interestingly, Roosevelt had referred to William Joseph Long, nature author, as the “nature fakir” [Gribben 419]; Sam was likely playing off of T.R.’s label.

 

Calverto’s Entertainment Bureau, Glasgow, Scotland wrote to solicit “a short lecture tour” [MTP].

 

Lillie Planner asked if Clemens could “spare a few minutes” to talk with “a young woman journalist” whom he had met some years before when she was 12 [MTP].

Emilie R. Rogers replied to Sam’s letter to H.H. Rogers, that he would be glad to see Sam, “even if it be for a short time, in London,” as he expected to be there the evening of the 23^rd and they would stay at Claridge’s [MTP].

 

June 13 Thursday – After mailing his letter of the prior day to Liverpool and learning that Sam went to London, not Liverpool, H.H. Rogers wrote again from Vichy, France, essentially repeating his news and plans of the prior letter, signing “Admiral” [MTHHR 628].

 

Isabel Lyon’s journal summary: Lyon went to Redding but refused to allow a female to drive her from Branchville to the new house site, as she’d been in two accidents prior with female drivers. Finally a male was there to drive her:

 

Lounsbury came along and we drove up to the site of the King’s house, to find that the new one is a great blunder. Oh, dreadful. I stopped work until I could consult Santa and J.H. [John Howells] and next week we are going up again. AB came up and was as distressed as I was over the position. He took me down to his house for luncheon, a trout out of his brook, and then we went up to my house to meet Gene Adams and consult about the repairs and alterations in my house. Oh, it’s so darling, and it is going to be beautiful. It was a day full of good things, in spite of “Bess” and the bad site of the house. I was taken there by Allah and just in time [MTP TS 69].

 

Professor John Rhys (1840-1915) “Principal of Jesus College, Oxford” sent a small card: “I am writing to the curators for the tickets for Lockyer’s ladies and for Mr. Clemens’s daughter: they will send them here I expect in time and we shall see that the one for Mr. Clemens reaches you [unknown person]. By the way, will you see about Mr. Clemens’s gown for the degree?” [MTP].

 

On board the S.S. Minneapolis, Sam had his younger fans (unidentified). See insert: [Richards’ 1912 Zeichner and Geseichnete].

 

The London Tribune, page 1, trumpeted Sam’s upcoming arrival. In part:

 

 

June 14 Friday – On board the Minneapolis en route to England Sam wrote an aphorism for German cartoonist Peter Richards, who was returning to Berlin after working for various US newspapers for two decades: “Taking the pledge will not make bad liquor good, but it will improve it. / Truly Yours / Mark Twain / For / Mr. Richards / June 14/07.” [MTP]. Note: see June 16 for more on Richards.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: All day I have been thinking about the little Redding house, and it is a good thing again to have something to take my mind away from loneliness.

Santa is better and I spend every evening in her sitting room, near her. Oh the sweet flower-creature that she is—made all of fire and dew.

I’ve had the mail sent in from Tuxedo, for I cannot go out and stay there alone. I don’t really like the place, anyway, so terribly artificial [MTP TS 69-70].

John Japp, Mayor of Liverpool, wrote to Sam, still lobbying for a visit and encouraged by what Sam had said on the eve of his departure from NY, that his stay might be lengthened [MTP]. Note: Ashcroft replied for Sam on June 19.  

 

Charles Lancaster, for Hughes & Lancaster, London, sent a letter with his son, Wilfred, from H.H. Rogers, in Vichy, France. Lancaster gave Rogers’ itinerary, arriving Sunday evening June 23 in London. At the end of the typed letter, Lancaster wrote by hand: “It is a greatpleasure to have you in England again. I did not expect it when we parted on the Kanawha” [MTP].

Frank N. Doubleday, for Doubleday, Page & Co.Wrote from NY that one Sam Everett would be staying at Brown’s Hotel beginning June 24. Doubleday asked if Sam could say a word to him and cheer him up. “Perhaps you can advise him about Oxford which he wants to see.” He also hoped Sam had seen Kipling” by the time he read this [MTP].

Helen MacMillan (Mrs. Maurice C. MacMillan) wrote from London to Sam, recalling Sam’s last visit with Livy, and inviting him to join them and a few friends on Monday, June 24 or July 1, July 3, and to dine [MTP].

June 15 Saturday – On board the Minneapolis en route to England Sam gave a reading from his Autobiography MS, though it is not known just what he read [Fatout, MT Speaking 676].

 

Written across the top of the second and third pages of a concert program held in the saloon in aid of the Seaman’s Orphanage at 8:30 p.m.: “Please tell the story of the twins, one got drunk and affected the other” [MTP]. Note: Source gives this as to Carlotta Welles.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Busy all day in the King’s room, cleaning his closet, and his drawers of mss. and dear little clippings and pipes and things that he takes interest in. Usually the clippings are of the most violentest crimes. Oh terrible things that are “permitted by a just God.” and usually there is a comment in the King’s handwriting on the margin. How I do love this life of mine—with Mother & the King & Santa.

Santa was bursting with glee tonight and called me Nan-Pan-Pete-Pan, and snuggled her darling head in my neck. I wish I would write of all the wonders that are occurring in all the lives about me [MTP TS 70].

Charles Lancaster for Hughes & Lancaster wrote to Sam about including H.H. Rogers in the Pilgrims Club luncheon given in Sam’s honor [MTP].

 

Henry Anckefill wrote to Sam from Durban, Natal, S. Africa sending a satire essay [MTP].

Charles Frohman sent a “Marconigram” telegram to Sam on the S.S. Minneapolis, asking him to visit at the Savoy Hotel in London [MTP].

W.B. Northrop wrote from London to Sam, c/o Minneapolis. “I wonder if you still remember the NEW YORK WORLD reporter who saw you at Lake Saranac some time ago? I enclose a photo I took then which might refresh your memory. / A newspaper here has asked me to get a photograph of you and I am writing to ask if you would see me” [MTP].

 

Robert P. Porter wrote on Brown’s Hotel, London stationery with invitations and a Memoranda of the various Oxford, Jesus College, events on June 25-30 [MTP].

Charles F. Taney wrote from London that he hoped to be able to meet the Minneapolis on her arrival, but if he could not to accept his welcome. Rogers was anxious to know where Clemens would stay upon his arrival—could Sam fill out the enclosed telegraph form? [MTP].

 

The New York Times, June 16, p. C1, datelined London June 15, announced London was “eagerly awaiting” Mark Twain’s arrival. “Of all Americans he stands next to Roosevelt in the admiration and affection of the British people.”

Spectator published an anonymous review of King Leopold’s Soliloquy, p. 947. Tenney: “‘While we are wholly in sympathy with Mark Twain’s purpose, we cannot approve of his method. The literary strategy of the attack is not to our liking.’ Fiction is not an appropriate means here, and ‘it is not used with any great subtlety or art. The appendix is much more to the purpose’; in it a Mr. Morel provides details of the Belgian public relations cover-up.’ It is especially deplorable to see that in America high-placed Roman ecclesiastics have taken the wrong side’” [Tenney: “A Reference Guide Second Annual Supplement,” American Literary Realism, Autumn 1978 p. 175].

 

June 16 Sunday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: It’s a hot Sunday night and I’m sitting in Santa’s music room. The sounds from the streets would make one think of a terrible carnival; for the automobiles whirl along with toots and siren calls and trumpettings and now there is a motorcycle zipping down toward Washington Square and small boys are making whistles of grass blades and as I glance out of the window couples—and couples—forever saunter past. It is I alone who sit companionless [MTP TS 70].

 

Peter Richards, the German cartoonist who later claimed to have shared a cabin with Twain during the voyage to England on the S.S. Minneapolis, and to be his “personal caricaturist,” did several sketches of Twain, including a card with two sketches; Six postcards by Richards, whom Sam called a “jack-legged draughtsman” and signed by Clemens, were auctioned off on the last night of voyage. Paine notes one card brought $25, “perhaps a record price