May 6 Tuesday – Sam’s notebook: “Alice Day, dinner, to meet Lord & Lady Kelvin 8. p.m.” [NB 45 TS 12]. Note:

Sam then listed subjects for his A.D.: “Interview with Kaiser Franz Joseph. / and with Kaiser Wilhelm II / Little child shall lead them” [ibid]. Note: Lord Kelvin born William Thomson, professor of physics at Glasgow University for 53 years. He became wealthy directing work on the first transatlantic cable. In 1874, Lord Kelvin married Miss Frances Anna Blandy, his second wife.

Francis Bret Harte, Mark Twain’s old nemesis, died in London from a hemorrhage connected with throat cancer. For many years Harte had lived in England. He is buried at St. Peter’s Church, Frimley, Surrey, England [NY Times, May 7, p.9, “Death of F. Bret Harte”]. Note: no mention of his death was found in Clemens’ papers.

Ellsworth of Mont Clare, Chicago wrote to Sam.

The enclosed clipping [not extant] introduces Rev. Chas. W. Briggs…a lineal successor of the old Spanish priests of Queen Isabella’s times who thanked God for the “clean record” of the Spanish army when the Indies were first exploited. He is a priest after Corbin’s own heart!

It occurs to me that the hide of this follower (?) of the Prince of Peace should be placed alongside the pelt of Rev. Ament on the barn-door. And I know of no one who can stretch it so neatly and drive the nails so deftly as yourself [MTP].