March 7 Thursday – In Boston, Mass. Sam participated in an afternoon Authors’ Readings for the cause of international copyright. Alexander P. Browne had invited him on Feb. 12, allowing him to name his own date, and Dana Estes had followed up on Feb. 23. Since Sam was due to speak in Pittsfield on Mar. 6, the following day made things more convenient. Sam’s reading was titled “New England Weather,” reported in the Boston Daily Globe, March 8, p.4 “Protect Brains.” (Sam gave this same talk on Dec. 22, 1876 for the New England Society of New York.) Also on the program were Oliver Wendell Holmes, Charles Dudley Warner, Julia Ward Howe, Richard Malcolm Johnston, F. Hopkinson Smith, John Boyle O’Reilly, George Washington Cable, and Thomas Wentworth Higginson. (See also Fatout, MT Speaking 100-3.)
After the Authors’ Readings, Sam went to Young’s Hotel, where he dined with Charles H. Taylor of the Boston Globe, and associates (see Mar. 2). Ending the Mar. 8 Globe article:
AUTHORS AT THE ST. BOTOLPH
Devotees of the Hub’s Patron Saint Meet Famous Men.
The members of the St. Botolph Club tendered a reception at their elegant clubhouse on Newbury street, last evening [Mar. 7], to the gentlemen who participated in the “Authors’ Reading” at the Boston Museum, in the afternoon. Members of the club were invited to meet informally the distinguished guests. “The Autocrat,” than whom no one is better known. Samuel L. Clemens, the only Mark Twain, Charles Dudley Warner, George W. Cable, F. Hopkinson Smith and Richard Malcom Johnston, were the gentlemen in whose honor the reception was held. After they had met the members of the club, a toothsome collation was provided by the steward.
Webster & Co. wrote to Sam: “Your favor received. We enclose herewith the form requested and think it is a very good idea, we have also sent for the ‘Scrap Book’ and will follow out your suggestions carefully in the future.” Detail on the proposed Conkling book was offered [MTP].