May 10 Tuesday – Henry Morton Stanley, the great explorer and one of Sam’s oldest friends, died in London. They first met on Mar. 26, 1867 in St. Louis (see entry), with Stanley, then a reporter, taking in one of Mark Twain’s lectures. See May 11 for Sam’s note to the widow Stanley. As with any news that might disturb Livy, Sam withheld it from her.
Possibly on this day, Sam also wrote to George G. Smith. “It is a stunning portrait, the best I have ever had, & will be finished at noon to-morrow. I hope Prof. Gelli will let me exhibit it in the drawing-room Thursday” [MTP]. Note: Sam last sat for the Gelli portrait on Apr. 27.
Sam’s notebook: “Lady Paget 5 to 7” [NB 47 TS 10].
A note in the DV245 file, MTP: “May 10th Water lacking in 2 closets—2 bath tubs—scanty supply in kitchen.” Sam also wrote several pages now in the file about suing over the lack of water.