May 22 Wednesday – Fatout lists a dinner speech in honor of George B. Harvey, Sam’s publisher. No particulars are given and none were found, neither did Lyon mention it in her journal entry below [676].
Isabel Lyon’s journal: Today the King went to Tuxedo and I stayed on because Santa needed a chaperon and I needed to do a lot of extra things.
The King telegraphed me to call on Mrs. J. before I left town. After a palaver she consented to see me this evening, in her negligee. I went up to find that her demand to see Mr. Clemens and me was based on a report that Miss Doty had said that I said that Mrs. Johnson was an adventurer and planning to marry Mr. Clemens. I laughed with relief and amusement over the impossibility of such a thing and she didn’t like it when I made light of the matter. She was grey and savage-looking when I left her and I think we’ll hear from her again [MTP TS 58]. Note: the rumors were about Charlotte Teller Johnson’s “designs” on Twain. See Oct. 22 IVL entry.
Elizabeth K. Harlon wrote from Naban, Mass. to Sam, enclosing a few extracts of a literary work by three ladies for him to consider. The publisher had told them it sounded like a copy of Mark Twain [MTP]. After May 22 Sam replied. “They have applied much too late. Many & many a girl has made the same application, but their work has in all cases been marred by a fatal defect—destitution of originality” [MTP].
Harry E. Brittain wrote on The Pilgrims, Savoy Hotel letterhead, London to ask Sam if he might join them for an informal luncheon, say Tuesday, June 25, during his London stay [MTP].
Oscar T. Crosby wrote for the New York Electric Music Co. to Sam. “Perhaps kind-hearted people should not have their suggestions remembered against them. I cannot however, forget the pleasant words you spoke to me about the Telharmonic System, when I had the pleasure of dining with you at the house of our mutual friend, the Benjamins.” Crosby asked if Sam could offer “a word” to the city authorities, or to Mayor McClellan personally, in favor of the Co. wiring the city [MTP]. After May 22 Sam replied.
I do not know the mayor personally, & am therefore diffident about addressing him directly. But I should be willing, & not only willing, but also glad to have anyone convey to him my conviction which is this: that the telharmonium is destined to be an even greater benefactor to the human race than the telephone & the telegraph, since only a minority of the race can afford the ministrations of that majestic pair of public servants, whereas the whole race, excepting only its paupers, can afford the telharmonium …. [MTP].
Alice Minnie Herts wrote for the Educational Alliance to ask Miss Lyon if Clemens would set a date for their special performance of his play (P&P) before he left for England. They proposed Tuesday, Nov. 19 [MTP].
R.G. Inerwell wrote on Church of the Ascension Parish House stationery, NYC to Miss Lyon that the case of “Mr. J….was not a proper one for Mr. Clemens to assist.” He referred to Lyon’s note of May 14; and that Mrs. Alice McGregor Meuller “has the reputation of being a ‘begging letter’ writer…” [MTP].
John Y. W. MacAlister for Library Magazine, a London quarterly, wrote to Sam.
Herewith is the greeting of the Right Honble. The Lord Mayor of London, who commands me to say that your agent in advance must have made a curious mistake in saying that you propose to start back on the date he has fixed to entertain you at the Mansion House. Surely you can stay over for one more week. If you don’t it will be a cruel disappointment to your Brother Savages [MTP].
George Thomson Wilson for Pilgrims NY wrote to Sam that he’d rec’d a cable from Harry E. Brittain, secretary of The Pilgrims, London, requesting Sam to be guest at a luncheon during his visit [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Cable & say to the Pilgrims, wont you consult Whitelaw Reid consulting a date. .. Not proper etiquette to place a ambassador in 2 line / hastily said in cable…”