June 3 Friday – On this day or the next at the Villa Reale di Quarto near Florence Sam wrote to William Dana Orcutt and Mary T. Orcutt. “They are superb—the most extraordinary flowers I have ever seen—& Mrs. Clemens sends her very best thanks for them & for your kind remembrance: & in this the rest of us join, with best wishes for you both & a cordial Alf wiedersehen!” [MTP: William D. Orcutt, In Quest of the Perfect Book 1926, p.172]. Note: William Dana Orcutt (1870- 1953), literary critic, bookmaker/designer and author, visited Mark Twain in Florence shortly before this note. See Gribben 520.
A. Moreton Mandeville for London Opinion wrote to Sam, seeking a contribution for his publication and mentioning Dr. Heinrich Felbermann, editor of the English Mail (Frankfort-on-Main) as a mutual friend. Sam directed Lyon on the env. “Can write for Harper only / Tell him so. / SLC” [MTP]. Note: London Opinion started as a men’s weekly. The first issue was published by Mandeville and cost 1d for eight pages. There was no advertising. The magazine was last printed in 1954.