October 19 Thursday – In Dublin, N.H. Sam wrote to John Y. MacAlister. Sam enclosed two letters, he’d received from Katy Leary (Oct. 18) and a partial letter from daughter Clara.
It was most kind & thoughtful of you, & if Clara were here she would thank you, as I do—as you will see by the scrap from her letter enclosed. When your first telegram came I had already telegraphed Col. Harvey & Howells to send cables & include me. That is why I did not send a sentiment until you asked for it.
I profoundly grieve over Irving’s death. It is another reminder. My section of the procession has but a little way to go. I could not be very sorry, if I tried.
Clara finished her 12-month rest-cure ten days ago & left Norfolk for New York. She & 3 servants are keeping house (21 Fifth avenue) & slicking up things. I leave day after to-morrow to visit in Boston; Jean & Miss Lyon & the servants join Clara Nov. 1; when the home is perfectly settled, I follow—about Nov. 3, I guess.
Clara’s health is almost entirely restored. /With love to you all, …[MTP].
From Clara’s enclosure:
… immediately pay one or two debts—one was 66 dollars for the term of three months at one conservatory & the others were for my piano and pew rent.
At last I am able to work steadily and so find a quiet contentment that I have not had for years.
A nice room with pretty furniture, good light, many books a sweet piano and a key in the door is an inspiring place to be in & I believe it has clarified my brain at least in the matter of harmony, this very day.
Well Pappy dear I’ll give you a good big hug when you come walking into this house but before that we must make your rooms look prettier than they do now.
Isn’t it nice of Mr. McAllister to think to give you the chance to send a wreath to Irving?
I hope you sent a message of condolence along with his wreath. It is terrible that he has died— there is no great English speaking actor left now.
Goodnight Grenouille, I kiss your little white head / Very lovingly / Ashcat [MTP].
Isabel Lyon’s journal: Mr. Clemens is a wonderful instructor in History. Happily he loves it and even more happily he enjoys talking about it. Today he was eloquent when he spoke of the strict examination for civil service that Macaulay instituted in England; when remonstrated with a little he said that if England couldn’t get men who could pass those examinations, then the government heads could be modester in their demands, but there hasn’t ever been any need of modification, for England has got her men, and on those terms. So her government clerks are well educated.
Barry Faulkner and Gerome [Brush] came in for tea [MTP TS 108].
Sumner Bass Pearmain for the Animal Rescue League wrote to ask Sam if Miss Lyon would let them know which train he would be on Saturday. He had tickets for the “College Widow” for Tues. evening and expected “Alfred Hemenway, Winslow Haven, Professors Paine & Smith & some 8 others to dine with us Monday” [MTP].
Margaret F. Sherry wrote to Sam. “It is very kind of you indeed to offer to give me the money for the stock on the Book Lovers, but as you are in no way responsible, I do not feel justified in accepting your generosity. / Respectfully” [MTP].
It was most kind & thoughtful of you, & if Clara were here she would thank you, as I do—as you will see by the scrap from her letter enclosed. When your first telegram came I had already telegraphed Col. Harvey & Howells to send cables & include me. That is why I did not send a sentiment until you asked for it.
I profoundly grieve over Irving’s death. It is another reminder. My section of the procession has but a little way to go. I could not be very sorry, if I tried.
Clara finished her 12-month rest-cure ten days ago & left Norfolk for New York. She & 3 servants are keeping house (21 Fifth avenue) & slicking up things. I leave day after to-morrow to visit in Boston; Jean & Miss Lyon & the servants join Clara Nov. 1; when the home is perfectly settled, I follow—about Nov. 3, I guess.
Clara’s health is almost entirely restored. /With love to you all, …[MTP].
From Clara’s enclosure:
… immediately pay one or two debts—one was 66 dollars for the term of three months at one conservatory & the others were for my piano and pew rent.
At last I am able to work steadily and so find a quiet contentment that I have not had for years.
A nice room with pretty furniture, good light, many books a sweet piano and a key in the door is an inspiring place to be in & I believe it has clarified my brain at least in the matter of harmony, this very day.
Well Pappy dear I’ll give you a good big hug when you come walking into this house but before that we must make your rooms look prettier than they do now.
Isn’t it nice of Mr. McAllister to think to give you the chance to send a wreath to Irving?
I hope you sent a message of condolence along with his wreath. It is terrible that he has died— there is no great English speaking actor left now.
Goodnight Grenouille, I kiss your little white head / Very lovingly / Ashcat [MTP].
Isabel Lyon’s journal: Mr. Clemens is a wonderful instructor in History. Happily he loves it and even more happily he enjoys talking about it. Today he was eloquent when he spoke of the strict examination for civil service that Macaulay instituted in England; when remonstrated with a little he said that if England couldn’t get men who could pass those examinations, then the government heads could be modester in their demands, but there hasn’t ever been any need of modification, for England has got her men, and on those terms. So her government clerks are well educated.
Barry Faulkner and Gerome [Brush] came in for tea [MTP TS 108].
Sumner Bass Pearmain for the Animal Rescue League wrote to ask Sam if Miss Lyon would let them know which train he would be on Saturday. He had tickets for the “College Widow” for Tues. evening and expected “Alfred Hemenway, Winslow Haven, Professors Paine & Smith & some 8 others to dine with us Monday” [MTP].
Margaret F. Sherry wrote to Sam. “It is very kind of you indeed to offer to give me the money for the stock on the Book Lovers, but as you are in no way responsible, I do not feel justified in accepting your generosity. / Respectfully” [MTP].
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