December 18 Tuesday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam replied to Frederic Whyte’s Dec. 7, which included an excerpt from Alfred Russel Wallace’s book The Wonderful Century containing advocacy of phrenology. Whyte asked if Sam had studied phrenology (reading of bumps on the scalp).
I never did profoundly study phrenology; therefore I am neither qualified to express an opinion about it nor entitled to do so. In London 33 or 34 years ago, I made a small test of phrenology for my better information. I went to Fowler under an assumed name, and he examined my elevations and depressions and gave me a chart which I carried home to the Langham Hotel and studied with great interest and amusement—the same interest and amusement which I should have found in the chart of an imposter who had been passing himself off for me, and who did not resemble me in a single sharply defined detail. I waited three months and went to Mr. Fowler again, heralding my arrival with a card bearing both my name and my nom de guerre. Again I carried away an elaborate chart. It contained several sharply defined details of my character, but it bore no recognizable resemblance to the earlier chart. These experiences gave me a prejudice against phrenology which has lasted until now. I am aware that the prejudice should have been against Fowler, instead of against the art; but I am human and that is not the way that prejudices set. / Very truly yours … [MTP]. Note: this has been labeled to “unidentified” but fits with date and subject with Whyte’s incoming of Dec. 7, 1906.
Sam also wrote on a card to James R. Osgood regarding an appointment. Source gives only “about 35 words,” but does not give the text [MTP: Parke-Bernet Catalogs, 30 Oct. 1940].
Clemens’ A.D. of this day included: Clemens and Albert Bigelow Paine go to Washington, in company with the members of the League Committee, to plead for the extension of the Copyright bill [MTP Autodict3].
George Barton wrote from Phila. to Sam, enclosing a large page article from the Oct. 16, 1904 issue of The Oregonian, “Who is Foremost Private Citizen of America?” picturing Edison, Cleveland, Carnegie and Twain, this last section written by John Kendrick Bangs [MTP].
John W. Crampton wrote on Union League, New Haven, Conn. notepaper to invite Sam to their annual dinner, usually on Jan. 17 but which could be arranged to suit [MTP].
A.L. Hardy wrote from Long Beach, Calif. to Sam. Hardy had been on the committee charged with bringing Sam to the Palmer House, Chicago feed for Grant by the Armies of the Tennessee and Cumberland. Hardy described the all night party with only seven left at dawn, and listed all who remained and what had become of each [MTP]. Note: Isabel Lyon wrote: “Remember that night very well. The Chicago Press Club was organized that night toward 7 in he morning—is still in existence.” Nov. 13-14, 1879 see entries.
Helen Keller wrote to Sam.
Dear Mr. Clemens: / I heard with deep concern what you were doing in Washington the other day, and I have been so full of alarm and solicitude for you ever since, I must needs take the arduous climb to your “seven-terraced summit” and give you an admonition.
I hope you got the copyright law you wanted, and that you will get everything else you want, if it is really good for you. But pray, pray, do not try for a copyright that shall last as long as your books. Three thousand years is quite long enough in all reason. To think of eternal copyright is greed unlimited, and would hardly tally with your avowed purpose of making the Congo Free State a land of bounty—and with your costume in Washington! Were you in that white costume practising by degrees for the Ascension robe? If you were, beware now, take heed what you do, lest you should wear penitential sackcloth.
I have lately had several chapters of your autobiography read to me. I need hardly tell you with what delighted fingers I listened to them. You seemed present in very truth. All your power, all your generous vehemence, your fiery eloquence for the good of humanity were there. For you always are you, and genius is but You made manifest as a spirit, an idea to many. You have made me love your dear wife and daughter as if I had indeed held their hands. You three are united in my heart.
Perhaps my teacher and I may go to New York to attend a public meeting for the blind sometime during January, and then nothing will do but we must see you. What you said in their behalf last March greatly helped, and continues to help the workers for the blind. But you, as a reformer, know that ideas must be driven home again and again. So, although I cannot add anything to the wisdom which you and Mr. Choate uttered, I can chirp where the lions roared last year. We and our cause shall stand sure with your dear companionship for support.
By the way, do you think it will be possible to interest Mr. Rogers in the work? He has done so much for me, I do not like to ask any more, even for others. But if you happen to have opportunity, perhaps you can tell him what we are doing, and let him see that our work is practical, and may appeal to the judgment of a great business man as well as to his heart.
With kindest regards from Mr. and Mrs. Macy, and with loving wishes for a happy Christmas, I am, / Affectionately your friend …[MTP]. Note: Sam replied Dec. 23.
A.G. Welker wrote from Sparta, Wisc. to Sam thinking there might be family connections between them, “that your Father and my Mother’s Father were brothers, My Mother’s Name was Clemmens” [MTP].