February 5 Wednesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam turned down an invitation from Arthur H. Dakin at the University Club in Boston (Incoming not extant).
I should enjoy it ever so much if I were younger & gayer, but I am at that lazy stage of life when one does not leave the chimney corner except under compulsion of the sheriff. And so, I can only return my earnest thanks for the honor done me by the invitation, & stay by the fire & dream dreams & nurse my senilities [MTP].
Sam also wrote to Alice M. Ditson (Mrs. Charles H. Ditson):
To Mrs. Ditson, with kindest regards:
[drawing of nonsensical staff of music]
We invariably feel sad in the presence of music without words; and often more than that in the presence of music without music [MTP]. Note: Charles H. Ditson (1845-1929) was a music publisher and head of the Oliver Ditson Co. of Boston and the Charles H. Ditson Co. of N.Y. Alice (d. 1940.)
Sam also began a letter to Francis H. Skrine that he added to on Feb. 7, 11, and 13: “Dear Skrine: The book arrived yesterday evening, & I got as far as the Leonard wedding in India before bed called for me” [MTP]. Note: Skrine’s book: The Life of Sir William Wilson Hunter (1901).
[Feb. 7 to Rogers].
Sam also wrote to Frederick A. Duneka of Harpers, his letter not extant but referred to in Duneka’s reply of Feb. 6; from this reply it’s evident that Sam asked why the six-volume set sold by subscription was not itemized on Harper’s statement.
Hélène Elisabeth Picard wrote to Sam from St. Die (Vosges), France, wondering how he could have written such a patriotic book about Joan of Arc when he wasn’t French; Picard was highly complimentary, and thanked him for “all the hours” and pleasure of his other books [MTP]. Note: on the env.
Sam wrote “Ans. Feb. 22”
Sam’s notebook: “Test to determine the difference between intelligence & extraordinary intelligence: As you finish your letters, throw them on the floor (I have a good reason for this). The intelligent stranger will pick them up every time & lay them on the table” [NB 45 TS 3].