November 14 Saturday – At the Villa Reale di Quarto near Florence Sam sent a telegram to Daniel Willard Fiske: “WE HOPE YOU ARE DAILY IMPROVING AND WILL SOON BE WITH US. + CLEMENS” [MTP]. Note: Fiske was in Copenhagen suffering from Gout .
James McArthur’s column, “Books and Bookmen” in Harper’s Weekly, p. 1841: Tenney: “‘I heard it contended the other day that the greatest American novel was TOM SAWYER and not THE SCARLET LETTER.’ ‘Present-day novelists are emulating Mark Twain’s democratic and simple ideals….Tom Sawyer is the natural forbear of “Jawn” Meand in THE WHIRLWIND , of Billy Williams in THE VAGABOND, and of Chad in THE LITTLE SHEPHERD OF KINGDOM COME’” [Tenney: “A Reference Guide Third Annual Supplement,” American Literary Realism, Autumn 1979 p. 189].
Sam’s notebook: “Suggested to Chatto that Harmsworth make an offer for a $12 set at 10 or 12% royalty, C&W to take 1/3 & I 2/3—& ask Harper to bid” [NB 46 TS 30]. Note: Alfred Harmsworth (1865-1922), 1st Viscount of Northcliffe, influential British publisher magnate.