November 2 Monday – The Clemens family arrived at Gibraltar. Sam’s following NB entry states they arrived at 7 a.m. and left at 2 p.m., the last leg by train from Genoa to Florence, Italy.
Sam’s notebook: “Due at Gibraltar, 10 days from N.Y; 3 days to Naples; then one day to Genoa. / At supper the band played Cavalleria Rusticana which is forever associated in my mind with Susy. I love it better than any other, but it breaks my heart. /Arr. G. [Gibraltar] 7 a.m., left at 2 p.m.” [NB 46 TS 29; also MTB 1209]. On Nov. 3 Sam entered: “Saw at Gibraltar, Michael Beñunes, our guide of 36 years ago—still the most distinguished-looking man in that town. He took Jackson, Dan, Jack, Miss Newell & me into Spain—all dead now but me, I believe. / To-day is election-day in New York” [NB 46 TS 29]. Note: Cavalleria Rusticana (Rustic chivalry) is a one-act opera by Pietro Mascagni, first performed on May 17, 1890 in Rome; it was a sensation.
George Gregory Smith wrote to Livy, thanking her “A thousand thanks” for her “very kind letter of October 20th”, and telling of the Villa Quarto. “I saw the liveryman this morning and have engaged a strong pair of horses, a landau, a coupe and a Victoria to be ready on your arrival here, together with a good coachman” subject to her approval. He gave prices and details about servants [MTP].