May 14 Tuesday – In Tuxedo Park, N.Y. Sam wrote to daughter Jean in Katonah, N.Y., relating his stops since May. In part: (see prior references to this letter for text excised here).
Oh, you dear Jean, it shan’t happen again. The next time I go to see you I shall select the train that will give me the longest time with you. Your letter has been lying here some 7 days—but I haven’t been here.
Yes indeed, I certainly have been frisking around. I had to come out here for one day (May 4) to attend a tea & reception in my honor. …. [see May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 entries for what he summarized here]
But I am perfectly rested now, but haven’t gotten up yet (noon.)
Miss Lyon arrived a month ago, but Clara isn’t coming for a week yet.
Miss L returns to New York day after tomorrow, after answering tons of letters.
Oxford University invites (commands) my presence, June 26, to confer upon me the degree of Doctor of Letters. Of course I have to receive it in person—these mighty distinctions are not conferred by mail.
I sail in the Minneapolis June 8—so as to have time to see a few English friends & get my gown & hood made; & I re-sail June 29 & reach New York 9 days later. I take Ashcroft with me to look after me.
Be sure, dearheart, I shan’t leave the country before I’ve seen you. If you were sound & well & there was time for some travel, you & I would go together; but I’ve got to get back as soon as I can, on account ofengagements.
In Annapolis I wore white clothes day & evening. I talked in a snow-white full dress, swallow- tail & all, & dined in the same. It’s a delightful impudence. I think I will call it my don’tcareadam suit. But I think I will always ask permission, first, saying “Dar madam, may I come in my don’tcareadams?”
Good-bye, dear child, & thank you for your good letter. With loving hugs & kisses— [MTP]. Note: although Sam’s initial plans called for him to sail on the same ship from England on June 29, as mentioned above, he was persuaded to put off the return until July 13 and return on the Minnetonka.
Isabel Lyon’s journal: “On train for Tuxedo I am, and Oh, so glad I didn’t come on that 5.22” [MTP TS 57].
Ralph W. Ashcroft wrote from NYC to Sam with an idea that struck him this a.m.
“To prevent piracy in years to come, why not trademark now in the name of Samuel L. Clemens such things as the ‘Mark Twain Cigar’, tobacco, whisky, shirt, corset, hair restorer, etc., etc. / This would place the issuance or suppression of such things entirely in the hands of your own folks…It won’t cost very much” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Mr. Clemens likes that idea—How shall he proceed? No one here to ask”
Sister M. Dominis wrote from Skibbereen, Ireland to ask Sam for a copy of CS [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Mr. Clemens sent it & Sister Dominica sent a nice note of thanks.
Julia Langdon Loomis wrote effusive congratulations to her Uncle Sam—could she see him before he went to England? [MTP].
Delia B. Maxwell wrote from Brooklyn to compliment Sam on CS [MTP].
Robert P. Porter wrote to ask Sam if he would stay with them when he came to Oxford. “As the one American Editor (I believe) living in Oxford we are entitled to that privilege” [MTP].
Anne W. Stockbridge wrote from Providence, R.I. to ask Sam to write “a few words of introduction for our book” (Stockbridge and Miss Grace Donworth, had written the “Jennie Allen letters” about the San Francisco earthquake, one of which Sam read at the Assoc. Press Dinner in NY [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Very grateful for that attention. Don’t write introductions any way as it would be hard to say no one time & yes another.”