May 27 Monday – In Tuxedo Park, N.Y. Sam wrote to Marjorie Bowen (pseud. for Gabrielle Margaret Vere Long) giving his London address, Brown’s Hotel.
“I shall be in England 10 days—June 18–28—& I think you will have to do as the American girls do: waive youth, sex, & the other conventions, & call on me. Yes, & telephone me when you are coming: otherwise we shall fail to collide, for I shall be a very busy person” [MTP: Cyril Clemens, Mark Twain: The Letter Writer, 1932 p.130].
Sam also replied to Crittenden Hampton in Sonora, Calif. (Hampton’s not extant).
I dictated a long and admiring and affectionate chapter about Jim Gillis, yesterday, and some day or other, in the by and by, it will appear in my Autobiography. It will then be seen that I, and perhaps not another person in the world, knew Jim Gillis for what he was, namely: a man with a fine, and I may even say wonderful imagination, and that he was also a born humorist of the first order. Of course Jim must have known that he was a humorist, but I am quite sure that he never once suspected that his place was in the top rank of the guild.
I thank you very much for your letter [MTP]. Note:see Hampton’s additional note of May 29.
Sam also replied to the May 11 from Lyman Pierson Powell.
Oh dear, no,—what the Oakland Herald and the American Queen may think about my motives is far from being a matter of importance to me. In these 40 years my motives have often been exposed by the press, but I have not minded it, & I do not remember ever having printed a word in reply or defence.
I do not mind revealing to you that ten years ago when I was penniless & owed a fortune I wrote a book purposely to get money wherewith to reduce that burden; but all my other books were written mainly & primarily to get pleasure out of writing them. When I carried the X Science book to the Harpers, 5 years ago, they asked me not to insist upon its publication, they being afraid it could hurt their house by antagonizing the Scientists. I did not insist, but left them to choose their own time—which they did. They have issued it now, without any urgencies from me. I do not believe that really pure people, like those Herald & Queen immaculates, would write a book merely to get money; but I would, if I were needy, because I am used to acting disgraceful, & don’t mind it; but so long as I continue to dig $70,000 a year out of the Harpers on magazine stuff & old copyrights you will always find me acting respectable. Even to the verge of good grammar.
No, dear D . Powell, let me not interrupt those frolicky gents; they like to hear themselves talk, & it doesn’t discommode me [MTP].
Sam also replied to the May 7 from Florence Duncan Jones in Staten Island:
Dear Madam: / I have read the first half of the article but it does not interest me; because, to me, reasonings from Christian Science are as vain and empty and wearisome as are discussions of theology. I have no reverence for theologies and I take no interest in them. I take a strong and indestructible interest in Mrs. Eddy. But this is merely because she is picturesque and unusual. I take the same interest in Satan [Note: See also May 7. This copy varies from what was written on Jones’ letter, a somewhat more colorful version. This is likely the final wording.]
Sam also wrote to Francis H. Skrine in London.
Indeed I have not forgotten my old friends & admirers & shall be very glad to meet them again.
. . . .
I should be exceedingly glad to enjoy the shelter of your roof, but I shall have to go to a hotel (Brown’s) instead, because I shall have to be on tap to a good many friends & shall be in England only 10 days [MTP: Silverman catalogs, No. 18, July 2000, Item 17].
Sam also cabled the City of Liverpool to decline an invitation of the Lord Mayor. The cable is not extant but announced he was “declining by cable” in his May 26 to Jean.
Isabel Lyon wrote instructions for a reply to Robert Lutz’s May 13. “At the end of a month or so write to Col. Harvey F. Sq. who will be in American by the middle of July & he can discuss the matter with Clemens” [MTP].
Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Went to town” [MTP TS 60].
May Cline wrote from Philipsburg, NJ to ask Sam for his help in getting the poems published —of her “chum—a dear fellow now in Japan—Raley Husted Bell—perhaps you know him…” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Answd June 6, ‘07”
Katharine I. Harrison wrote to Sam. “I have bought the 400 Anaconda, as you requested— 200 at 60 and 200 at 59, as per enclosed bills. I am returning you the balance of your money, namely, $6,150., having no further order. I will hold the stock until I hear from you” [MTP].
John Mead Howells wrote to Sam [MTP]. Note: not found at MTP.
Florence Duncan Jones wrote to Sam [MTP]. Note: not found at MTP.
Jervis Langdon II wrote to congratulate Sam on the Oxford honor, and asked for the balance ($2,500) for his stock subscription to the Hope-Jones Organ Co. Of course, prospects were good [MTP].
Miss Silly W. Silverstein wrote from Syracuse, NY to Sam. He was the owner of The Celebrated Jumping Frog published by C.H. Webb in 1868 and wanted to know if it was his first publication [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Answrd July 30, 07”
Charles Warren Stoddard wrote from Monterey, Calif. to Sam having read of their “London life” experiences in his Autobiography chapters in NAR, which had made Stoddard famous there—everyone wanted to shake his hand which was somewhat embarrassing. He’d thought his reputation had been made many years before by the publication of South Sea Idles, but the NAR made it grow. He’d never made any money from his writings, and only a slight amount from Idles. The NAR issues were scarce there [MTP].
George Thomson Wilson for Pilgrims NY. wrote to Sam still trying by cables back and forth to Harry E. Brittain, to pin down a date for the luncheon in London with the London Pilgrims [MTP].
May 27 ca. – In Tuxedo Park, N.Y. Sam replied to the May 23 of J.W. Kelley of the Denver Press Club’s request for autograph:
“Write on it: Mark Twain Dean of the planet’s journalism; joined the guild in 1849, aged 14, & has not broken the connection in 58 years.” [MTP]. Note: this may have been instructions to Lyon.