March 17 Saturday – In Washington, D.C. Sam, with others gave a reading at the Soldiers’ Home [Fatout, MT Speaking 658]. (Note that the following news accounts report on the Authors’ readings at the Congregational Church this day; also, Sam’s notebook gives Friday (Mar. 23) for Soldiers’ Home.)
His choice of readings is not known. The Boston Globe of Mar. 18, p.1 reported that Mrs. Grover Cleveland was at the reading, and that Richard Watson Gilder, Dr. Edward Eggleston, J. Whitcomb Riley, Colonel Thomas W. Knox, and William Dean Howells read. The Hartford Courant of Mar. 19, p.1 “The National Capital” reported that Sam took Charles Dudley Warner’s place due to his delay by the blizzard. This article quotes Sam’s remarks about escaping a duel.
Richard Watson Gilder wrote to his wife: “After the reading I took by appointment a small party to ‘tea’ at the White House with Mrs. Cleveland and Mrs. Lamont. I introduced Mark Twain, Riley, and the Huttons to the President” [MTP copy: Letters of Richard Watson Gilder (1916)].
The Brooklyn Eagle, Mar. 18, 1888 p.9 reported on the Washington goings-on:
IN AID OF INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHTS.
L.. — — —
The First of a Series of Authors’ Readings in Washington.
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 17
The first of the authors’ readings in aid of international copyright was given this afternoon in the Congregational Church in the presence of one of the most distinguished gatherings seen in Washington this season. Mrs. Cleveland occupied a pew in company with Mrs. Lamont and Miss Willard. She has taken a deep interest in the project and expects to attend the second reading on Monday evening in company with the President. Colonel John Hay, Mr. George Bancroft, Senator and Mrs. Chace, Senator and Mrs. Morrill, Mrs. Hearst and other well known people were present. The readers were Mark Twain, R. W. Gilder, Dr. Edward Eggleston, J. Whitcomb Riley, Colonel Thomas Knox and W.D. Howells. Mr. E.C. Stedman introduced them and made a short address on the subject of international copyright. To-night Mrs. Senator Hearst gives a reception in honor of the authors. On Monday afternoon they will be entertained by Colonel John Hay and on Monday night they will be received at the White House by the President and Mrs. Cleveland. [Note: Fatout reports the reading of this date as at the Soldier’s Home, and the Mar. 19 at the Congregational Church. Someone is in error]. (See Mar. 19 entry.)
Charles Webster was billed for a complete uniform of the Knight of the Order of Pius.
“…coat of bleu stuff lined of silk with revolts & neck of scarlet stuff embroidered with fine gold, fine gilded buttons with the coat of arms of the Pope. Pants of fine white cashemir with bands of find gold. Epaulettes of fine gold in granes with a star embroidered with silver. Sword-holder of white stuff, little sword with gilded hilt with mother of pearl, dragon of fine gold, pointed hat embroidered with gold & little flakes with cocarde of the Pope. Rosette & mostrine included for the black dress. 675 / Boxes of zinc & wood 25/ 700 Francs” [MTBus 388].
Thomas Bailey Aldrich sent a card to Sam, that if he came to Boston to “join the Theatricals on the 21st inst.,” to please remember he could stay with them [MTP].