May 31 Wednesday – In Dublin, N.H. Isabel V. Lyon wrote for Sam to John Larkin.
Mr. Clemens directs me to say that he has stopped the check that is due M . Renwick on June 1st, as you suggest in your letter of May 29thr
In his note of August 17 M . Renwick speaks of putting the house in repair; and as he did not fulfil his promise, M Clemens directs me to ask if it would not be well to declare war by suing for damages incurred by the severe bronchitis that M . Clemens had in the last winter, and by his being obliged to stay in his bed for many weeks owing to that illness.
In a note of Dec. 7 M . Renwick writes—“The work delayed your occupation of the house, but you must remember you were kind enough to tell me to take my time & your reward, if any, has been in having the house thoroughly done—I hope & believe. My only wish now is that you will enjoy residing there and will do so for many years to come with health & happiness to you & your family.”
M . Clemens directs me to say that he must have no heating in the house less perfect than M .John Howells’s best system, for he is expecting to have Miss Clemens at home during the coming winter, and that there is no room heated so that it would be safe for her to occupy it.
If testimony is needed M . Clemens can bring into court the testimony of a great surgeon —D .Hartley, a great physician —D . Quintard, another physician, Miss Gordon, and a trained nurse, that it would be entirely unsafe to take Miss Clemens into the house.r
M . Clemens directs me to suggest suit could be brought for failure to keep this contract, if that would be better than to sue for damages [MTP].
Isabel Lyon’s journal: In their reports the Russians have lied so dreadfully, so baldly, so stupidly, that commenting upon it Mr. Clemens said it was “a pity, for it brings the art into disrepute”—ah, he is so interesting and so full of the power to make you long to do and be things just to satisfy his mighty intellect.
The music is wonderful. The Largo is like a caress [MTP TS 62].
Isabel Lyon’s journal # 2: “This evening Mr. Clemens read more of the wonderful microbe satire. Tonight it was the scientific investigation of the Fossil Flea” [MTP TS 20].