June 22 Saturday – Sam attended the Royal Garden Party at Windsor, which marked the end of Ascot week. Ten special trains were scheduled between Paddington and Windsor. The Lord Chamberlain issued the invitations. Mark Twain was accompanied by Ralph Ashcroft (left), and Mr. and Mrs. John Henniker Heaton. See insert photo [MTFWE 27].
Ashcroft kept a log for these days. His note for June 22: Saturday, June 22. Mr. Clemens left at 2:45, with Mr. and Mrs. Henniker Heaton, for the King’s garden party at Windsor; returned with the Heatons and Sir Thomas Lipton, and was motored from Paddington to the hotel by Sir Thomas [MTFWE 30].
In his Oct. 1, 1907 A.D. Sam recalled the Garden Party, those met, and the spectacle of the event. He first “chanced upon” Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, and “wandered through the crowds for an hour, shaking hands right and left with strangers,” as well as a surprising number he knew, some from as long ago as his first trip to London in 1872. He ran into Ellen Terry, now 59, and her new husband, 34. He recalled first meeting Terry in St. Louis in 1858. Whitelaw Reid presented Mark Twain to King Edward and they talked of their meeting at Homburg years before. As it was beginning to drizzle, Queen Alexandra instructed him to put his hat on, which he did, after the second admonition. The Duke of Connaught introduced himself and his son the prince; later the King of Siam and his heir [MTFWE 31-2: MTAD 2279-84].
All the major newspapers, both English and American, reported on the event, which hosted over 8,000. The London Tribune called it “the greatest garden party on record” [June 24, p.7, “Royal Garden Party”]. The Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury reported that “The most interesting person presented to their Majesties was Mark Twain, who, indeed, was in some sort the hero of the occasion” [June 24, p.7]. The New York Times, June 23, p.C3, dateline June 22, London, reported:
TWAIN AMUSES KING AND QUEEN
———
Tells Jokes to Edward and Would Buy Windsor Grounds from Alexandra.
MEETS SIAM’S RULER, TOO
——— ——— ———
Offers to Speak for Bashful Prince Arthur of Connaught—Many Notables at Garden Party.
LONDON, June 22.—Mark Twain was the centre of attraction at the King’s garden party at Windsor this afternoon, and besides meeting the King and the royal party, and a handshake with several hundred notables in the course of the afternoon. Upon his return from the garden party he declared that he was not a bit tired, and had thoroughly enjoyed himself.
He was accompanied to Windsor by John Henniker Heaton, the “Father of Imperial Penny Postage,” who introduced him to many of the King’s guests on his way to the party, including Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, Fridtjof Nansen, Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, and Ellen Terry. He heartily congratulated Miss Terry on her recent marriage, the two shaking hands enthusiastically.
After tea, which was served on the lawn, Ambassador Reid presented Mark Twain to King Edward and Queen Alexandra, and the King and the humorist spent a quarter of an hour in conversation, the King laughing heartily at Twain’s jokes. The Queen also joined in the conversation, and was much amused when Twain jokingly asked if he could buy the Windsor Castle grounds from her Majesty. Then the King called on him to meet the other guests. He introduced Twain to the King of Siam, the Duke of Connaught, Prince Arthur of Connaught, and others.
Prince Arthur is to receive a degree at Oxford at the same time as the American humorist, and the Prince remarked that he would collapse if called upon for a speech. Thereupon Twain offered to undertake to speak for him.
Mark Twain wore the regulation frock coat and silk hat at the garden party. Speaking of his reception there, he said:
“His Majesty was very courteous. In the course of the conversation I reminded him of an episode sixteen years ago, when I had the honor to walk a mile with him when he was taking the waters at Homburg. I said I had often told about that episode, and that whenever I was the historian I made good history of it and it was worth listening to, but that it had found its way into print once or twice in unauthentic ways and had been badly damaged there. I added that I should like to go on repeating this history, but that I should be quite fair and reasonably honest, and while I should probably never tell the story twice in the same way, I should at least never allow it to deteriorate at my hands.
“His Majesty intimated his willingness that I should continue to disseminate that piece of history and added a compliment, saying that he knew good and sound history would not suffer at my hands and that if this good and sound history needed any improvements beyond the facts he would trust me to furnish these embellishments.
“I think it is no exaggeration to say that the Queen looks as young and beautiful as she did thirty-five years ago, when I saw her first. I didn’t say this to her, because I learned long ago never to say an obvious thing, but to leave an obvious thing to commonplace and inexperienced people to say.
“That she still looks to me as young and beautiful as she looked thirty-five years ago is good evidence that 10,000 people already have noticed this and have mentioned it to here. I could have said it and spoken the truth, but I have been too wise for that. I have kept the remark unuttered, and that has saved her Majesty the vexation of hearing it for the ten thousandth and oneth time.
“All that report about my proposal to buy Windsor Castle and its grounds is a false rumor—I started it myself.”
Mr. Clemens has announced that the will be a passenger on the steamer Minnetonka sailing for New York July 13. This prolongation of his stay abroad has enabled him to accept a few of the hundreds of invitations that are pouring in on him. The staff of Punch invited him to a dinner at the Savoy on July 9, but he intimated his preference to dine in the famous Punch Room at the Punch offices, and the dinner will be given there. Mr. Clemens considers this one of the greatest honors of his visit.
Scott points out that Sam and King Edward were acquainted from Bad Nauheim “in the early nineties” [290]. Note: Edward was then the Prince of Wales; see Aug. 21, 1892 entry for their first meeting.
At Brown’s Hotel in London, Ralph W. Ashcroft wrote for Sam to John Japp, Lord Mayor of Liverpool. Sam asked for his usual courtesy of being allowed to arrive for the July 10 banquet toward the end of the event.
While Mr. Clemens is remarkably vigorous for a man of his years, he easily tires; and I know that, if you will grant him the privilege he asks for, he will be in better form for addressing those present. He will go to bed as soon as he arrives in Liverpool in the afternoon, and remain there until it is time for him to join you at the Town Hall. We shall stay at the Lime Street Station Hotel, arriving there at 4:05 P.M. [MTP].
Isabel Lyon’s journal: Yesterday morning Santa was so troubled about the account in the paper that she cabled to the King—“Remember the proprieties—am anxious.”
He probably took that cablegram to Whitelaw Reid’s dinner party last evening. We are in Tuxedo again. Santa Clara and I. I have been dreaming a wonderful love story in these days. A story all of beautiful colors, and it makes me so very lonely and so sad. Tonight came the King’s cablegram to Santa. “They all pattern after me, Father.” Before we left town this morning, in great heat we drove up to see Dr. Quintard, then Santa bought a new hat. Such a pretty hat all wreathed in roses—delicate roses with cream colored leaves—& just right for Santa. I felt like to perish from the heat [MTP 75].
Hugh Gilzean Reid wrote to invite Sam to some function [MTP]. Note: On or after June 22, Sam gave instructions to Ashcroft to decline [MTP].
A.P. Macdonald wrote to thank Sam for “not only accepting” his “humble little book, but actually reading it, and saying you liked it.” He added best wished for “many, many years of earthly happiness” [MTP]. Note: See Sam’s reply before June 30.
Clarence Rook’s article, “Mark Twain, The World’s Greatest Humorist, Who is Now on a Visit to this Country,” ran in The Reader (London), p. 205. Tenney: “A lengthy, but conventional and derivative biographical account. ‘It is curious that Mark Twain never discovered that he was anything but a “funny man” until he had come to middle age…and never found his real seriousness until he was old in years but still young in enthusiasm.’ ‘There are at least three Mark Twains: the man of fun, who joked about the Holy Land and even King Arthur; the man of character, who would not compound for less than a hundred cents to the dollar; and the serious man, who has turned the hose of humor upon the things that matter,’ such as Belgian rule in the Congo” [Tenney: “A Reference Guide Fifth Annual Supplement,” American Literary Realism, Autumn 1981 p. 166].
Victor Frestadius wrote from London: “Reading in the ‘Evening News’ that you have far more invitations than you can accept I suppose it is not a very great risk to send you a card for my ‘At Home’ and to assure you of a hearty welcome from your Swedish friends were we to have the pleasure to see you” [MTP].
Rose Goodwin wrote from London: “Dear Sir, / Your goodness has overwhelmed me! That you should notice my letter in any way was the very last thing that entered my mind. I shall not even try to thank you, but I believe you will guess how I am feeling. / Where other great men are esteemed and admired, you are beloved” [MTP].
James G. Hamilton wrote from St. Peter Port Hospital, to enclose a poem to Mark Twain, “as tribute to many happy hours spent with your humorous writings, sayings, etc.” [MTP].
Rev. C. Silvester Horne, minister of a Congregational church of working class people in central London, wrote with the sentiments of his flock that they would like to see him [MTP].
Vaughan Horton wrote from London: “Noting your anxiety to arrange for a really unique thing in funerals,” he offered to make the monument for £30 [MTP].
William T. Jones wrote from London enclosing three engravings, Washington D.C. in 1816, Albany N.Y in 1818, and “a view of the ruins of Baalbec,” which Sam gave an account of in IA. Jones also thanked him for his books which had given much pleasure and relief during an illness.
Sidney Lee sent a small calling card with: “I do not think that I told you that the small dinner party, at which you are to be my honored guest, on Monday July 1st at 8 o’clock will take place oat the Garrick Club” [MTP].
H.E. Luxmore wrote from Eton College, Windsor, recalling their paths had crossed “on the landing stage of the lake of Thurn steamers years & years ago,” which Sam had followed with a letter, in which he said he would some day give Luxmore “the chance of reparation.” Would he come to Eaton and spend the night? [MTP].
Mr. Ofenheim wrote on Brown’s Hotel stationery: “Sorry to have missed you. I would very much like to seee you and give you personally all the love they have charged me with for you in Vienna” [MTP].
The Editor of The Reader, London, wrote asking for “a few lines on a Postcard (for reproduction in facsimile) commenting on any recently published book that you can recommend to the general reader” [MTP].
Hugh Gilzean Reid wrote from London upon a return inviting Sam to visit on any day 28 to 30th [MTP]. Sam wrote on the letter: “Explain to Sir Hugh, time all occupied / SLC”
Charles Rosher for Legion of Frontiersmen, London: “Although we have seen in the press, reports that your private secretary spends twelve hours a day in typing disappointing replies to countless invitations, we nevertheless venture to suggest that your presence at our first annual dinner, would be, as it were, the crowning of the edifice” [MTP]. Note: Fatout lists a talk for this group, though no particulars were found.
W. Milton Thompson wrote from London enclosing some of his printed poems and articles. “May I ask the favor of your acceptance of my Coronation Ode, which you may be pleased to keep as a little momento of your visit” [MTP]. Note: the poems are in the file.
T. Fisher Unwin wrote from London enclosing some reviews of his Savage Club history and “King Leopold.” He looked forward to meeting Sam again at the Pilgrims Banquet the following Tuesday [MTP].
Frederick D. Wardle wrote on Town Clerk’s Office, Bath letterhead, “sorry to hear…that your public engagements interfere with the possibility of your visiting Bath” [MTP].
Whitefriar’s Club sent a printed notice of “Pilgrimage to Marlow and Henley” for Saturday June 22 [MTP].