January 31 Thursday – At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to Irving S. Underhill. “Friday. Dear Mr. Underhill: will you call at my house at 10.30 a.m. to morrow or Sunday or Monday & talk about this” [MTP]. Note: Since Jan. 31 was a Thursday, either Sam had the day wrong or this is miscataloged.

Sam’s notebook: “Hoecake opinions (bread-&-butter) on religion & politics” [NB 44 TS 5]. Note: this entry and an annotated clipping from the NY Herald of Feb. 19, 1901 refer to “Hoecake opinions” and “Cornpone,” respectively. Sometime during 1901 Sam wrote “Corn-Pone Opinions,” first published in Europe and Elsewhere (1923), edited by Paine. It was later included in What Is Man? and Other Philosophical Writings, ed. Paul Baender, p. 92-7, and included parts omitted from earlier published versions [Budd Collected 2: 1007]. Also, in the NB this day, a lined-out entry: “Aldine dinner for Churchill—to be only 10 persons, & no reporters.” Did Sam attend such a dinner? Unknown.

Fatout lists another dinner with Winston Churchill for this date, Sam making a dinner speech, but does not provide any particulars [MT Speaking 668]. Note: Churchill’s last lecture in N. America at 8:15 p.m. at Carnegie Hall was reported by the NY Times, Jan. 31, p.2. “Winston S. Churchill’s Tour” Churchill’s relations with James B. Pond, which had been reported as strained, were on good terms. The article does not mention Twain. The dinner likely preceded the lecture.

Henry W. Lanier of Doubleday, Page & Co., wrote to Sam concerning the two versions of his Niagara article, “Adam’s Diary,” one of which they were about to republish. The text of the note is not available, but it seems likely Lanier asked for clarification on the two versions [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the letter a note to Underhill asking him to call at his house at 10:30 a.m. the next day or Sunday or Monday to talk about the article. It should be remembered that Sam revised the piece after it initially appeared in the Niagara book by Underhill.