July 1 Monday – Clara Clemens and Isabel Lyon were on board the Red Cross liner Rosalind from New York off the coast of Halifax, Nova Scotia when it collided with the coast steamer Senlac. The Rosalind was not damaged, but the other vessel was, all passengers escaping to the Rosalind. “Miss Clemens says that, instead of going to St. John’s, as she intended, she will return to New York” [NY Times, July 2, p.2, “Steamer Run Down by Liner Rosalind”]. See IVL’s journal entry below.
Ashcroft’s notes: “Monday, July 1. Dined with Sidney Lee at the Garrick Club, and called at Mrs. Macmillan’s, to see Lady Jersey, on the way home” [MTFWE 82].
From Sam’s A.D. of Aug. 19, 1907, he relates the Garrick Club dinner:
It was a distinguished company at the dinner, and once more I encountered J.M. Barrie; also once more he sat on the other side of the table and out of conversing distance. The same thing happened in London twice, seven years ago, and once in New York since then. I have never had five minutes’ talk with him that wasn’t broken off by an interruption; after the interruption he always dissolves mysteriously and disappears. I should like to have one good unbroken talk with that gifted Scot some day before I die.
The Garrick was familiar to me; I had often fed there in by-gone years as guest of Henry Irving, Toole, and other actors—all dead now. ….
Sidney Lee’s dinner was in a room which I was sure I had not seen for thirty-five years, yet I recognized it, and could dreamily see about me the forms and faces of the small company of that long forgotten occasion. ….
I arrived at Mr. Macmillan’s a little after ten o’clock, and found there a number of old friends besides Lord and Lady Jersey, and several strangers; one of whom had a special interest for me because he was of the blood of that fine creature and prized friend of forty years ago,
“Charley,” tenth Lord Fairfax, citizen of Maryland by birth and rearing, citizen of Nevada and San Francisco by adoption, a man whom I have said many praiseful and admiring things about…. The handsome young gentleman at Macmillians’ was either English or had been away from America long enough to acquire the English stamp. ….[MTFWE 82-4]. Note: Fatout lists this as Dominion Day Dinner [MT Speaking 677].
Isabel Lyon’s journal (at sea): And a heavy fog. We have decided not to go on to Newfoundland, but to stay in Halifax until the Rosalind comes back. This afternoon we were creeping, creeping along in a dense fog, the water very smooth, and the 2nd mate, who was chatting with the stewards said he heard a fog bell and that we must be near a buoy. Santa and I were in our cabin when a jar shook our boat and a cabin boy said we’d struck a buoy. But it wasn’t a buoy it was a small wooden steam boat, the Senlac, and the Rosalind stove a hole in her side. It was the fault of the Senlac who came dancing full tilt out of her dock and scraped her side against the Rosalind’s bow. She sank in 15 minutes and as she went down in the fog and the water reached her engines the valves opened and she made her last long cry, as for help. It was pitiful and weird. We came to the Halifax Hotel and finally got comfortable rooms and some food and then a reporter, Mr. Bray sent up his card to Santa. Two Halifax youths Mr. Regan and Mr. Dennis appeared and Santa talked up like her father’s child. Then later came another reporter—from the Halifax Herald too, but he really wanted to see me, for a telegram had come from the N.Y. Herald linking the name of the King with that of his secretary. I told him the King would be as pained as his secretary to hear of any such report [MTP 78-79]. Note: this last “linking” of Lyon’s and Clemens’ name undoubtedly was romantic gossip.
William Alexander wrote on Constitutional Club, London stationery: “It has occurred to me that possibly you might, as a change from being entertained by clever people & celebrities, care to spend an hour in this club incognito” [MTP].
William Archer wrote from Herts, England inviting Sam to a dinner Sunday next. Lord Lytton, Bernard Shaw and Sir Oliver Lodge would be among the speakers. Sam didn’t have to say a word “unless the spirit moved” [MTP]. Note: Victor Alexander George Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 2nd Earl of Lytton
E.W. Austin for National Lending Library for the Blind wrote to thank Clemens for his permission to have Excerpts from Adam’s Diary transcribed into Braille [MTP].
Edith Blande wrote from London: “I wonder if you recollect = ‘Edith Blande.’ I was in your play ‘Ah Sin’ under Augustine Daly’s management at the 5th Avenue Theatre in 1877 (July I think).” She was 17 then and was now 47. “I asked you if I was not as perfect as an angel? … your reply (with a thoroughly ‘Mark Twain’ [illegible word] was—‘yes! & you look like one’
My dear mother (who has been dead nearly 6 years never forgot it” [MTP].
Elizabeth M. Chettle wrote thanking Sam for the “many delightful hours spent” with his books and asking, rather hoping he might “find time to go and look at this set of drawings,” unspecified, nothing in the file but the letter [MTP].
Delegates of the University Press, Oxford sent this note: “The Delegates have great pleasure in presenting Dr. Clemens with a copy of ‘The Oxford Degree Ceremony’ by J. Wells” [MTP].
Joseph Dixon wrote from Doberrcourt sent congratulations and an appreciation of his works, noting the first time he realized Twain would become such a famous author, was when he read in RI, “you spoke of going to the lodge at the house of a French lady named Bridget O’Flannagan! [MTP].
Elliott & Fry, London photog. Sent a form letter in script asking for return of proofs submitted on June 26 [MTP].
Charles Fitch wrote for the Garrick Club to advise that Clemens had been unanimously elected as an honorary member for two months [MTP].
John Japp wrote from Liverpool that his idea of having Clemens stay under his roof during his visit, an idea discussed at Brown’s Hotel with Sam earlier, “was not a practical one.” He enclosed a letter copy from W.M. Turnbull of the London & North Western Railway about accommodations [MTP].
John Y.W. MacAlister wrote on The Library letterhead:
I quite forgot to tell you this morning that the Mayor and Corporation of Bury St. Edmunds are extremely anxious that you should honour their pageant with a visit this week, and if you will allow him to do so Sir Ernest Clarke will come at once to tell you all about it….I send with this a little booklet Sir Ernest Clarke wants you to look at in connection with the pageant… [MTP].
P.B. McLearn wrote from Londonderry, having heard he was in London. “I wish you would come over here to L. Derry to preach … in the Guild Hall that holds 1500” [MTP].
William Miles wrote from London, S.W. “unable” to see him at any of the functions and to ask for “3 or 4 minutes” to express his gratitude [MTP].
Northern Newspaper Syndicate, Kendal, England per James E. Lyons wrote to thank him for his June 28 letter and regret that he couldn’t undertake the series of articles on “Impressions of England” [MTP].
Harry Vivian Majendie Phelips (pseud. Phelip Vivian) wrote a small card from Canterbury: “I thought you might like to see the letters Mrs [illegible name] of the book which you are so kindly going to read. Please do not trouble to acknowledge” [MTP].
Clement K. Shorter wrote on “The Sphere” stationery, London, asking for his signature [MTP].
Henry W. Taunt wrote again from Oxford, to send him the photographs of the procession, asking only that he might put Sam’s name down “among the list of subscribers to my ‘Oxford Past and Present’” [MTP].
William H. Thompson wrote to Clemens [MTP]. Note: not found at MTP.
Charles S. Walker wrote from Worcester: “Your expressed desire to have a talk with me is the next best to its gratification. If I were not such an old invalid I would call at Brown’s and claim the privilege, but ‘Oh! Woeful me’. …I have Helen Keller’s portrait and her written signature
—will you give me yours to place with it?” [MTP].
Elizabeth Woodhouse from London asking him to buy “one or two pairs of hand made woolen bedroom slippers,” knowing he might want to take presents home with him [MTP]. Note: see July 3 from Woodhouse.