October 14 Wednesday – At the Grosvenor Hotel in N.Y.C. Sam wrote to Dr. Edwin Pond Parker.
When I read the words “You lie at leisure,” I was for a moment shocked & a little hurt, for you seemed to be charging me with lack of spirit, energy, industry in my calling, & I thought it a strange attitude for you to take, after knowing me so long & so well & I never having given you any reason for it; but another glance showed me that you were talking about something else & meaning no harm.
I have read it all & enjoyed it all, & I will go bail that Hawthorne’s account is less beautiful than yours—it must be so; both cannot be perfect. Mrs. Clemens is reading it now, & we both thank you for sending it.
I think you will like to know that Mrs. Clemens is getting along so promisingly that to-day the specialist granted her the privilege of crossing the sea without her trained nurse. This leaves her in the hands of a special stewardess & our old Katy. Three months ago we were not prophecying such things—nor a fortnight ago, either. (Unberūfen!)
With our most affectionate regards & remembrances, … [MTP].
Sam also wrote to William Winter.
My daughter’s letter herewith enclosed explains what she wants. Like that other slave of the ring, “I hear & obey.” It is the one function of a proper father which there are not any doubts about.
I know Miss Lawton, & admire her & esteem her & like her, & I know she has a good mind; my daughter knows her intimately.
When Clara come, an hour from now, I will give her a mere card for Miss Lawton to hand to you; & I will tell her I have already sent you word.
We sail for Italy Oct. 24.
Sincerely your friend
Mark
Clara would have said “Mr.” if she had suspected what use I would make of her letter. But in our house “William Winter” without the “Mr.” has always been custom & never disrespectful [MTP; eBay 15 July 2008, item 190214044441].
Livy also wrote to Harriet E. Whitmore (Mrs. Franklin G. Whitmore), thanking her for checking her laces in the safety deposit box in Hartford and for looking for the miniature of her taken at age 17; it was not found, evidently. Livy hoped that Harriet might come down before they leave sometime before Oct.
She dreaded leaving her friends in America but hoped “great things from the trip.” After her signature she added, “Have you by any chance a newspaper cutting of the letter Mr. Clemens wrote about Annie’s book” [MTP]. Note: Annie Trumbull, a close family friend.
Sam’s notebook: “In the quaint wording of the Chronicle ‘in their shirt-tails.’ / Clay & Dr. Starr. / Dr. Helmer / Dr. Underwood. / Get literature from bank / Get silver & trunk from bank” [NB 46 TS 26]. Note: Underwood & last items use ditto marks for “Dr.” and “Get…from bank” respectively.