July 12 Friday – At Brown’s Hotel in London Sam wrote to daughter Clara, a letter which reveals his activities this final day in England:

Clärchen dear, we sail tomorrow in the Minnetonka (I think.) We are due to arrive in 8 or 9 days.

I have been most mannerly & etiquetical. I have returned every call—card-calls by card, delivered by myself; personal calls in person.

I have buzzed around every day, & many nights—at breakfasts, luncheons, teas & dinners, & have never been fatigued, more than a hour at a time. Even this last day is not an exception. I spent two hours with the president of the National & Gallery this morning, then lunched with the earl & countess of Portsmouth (friends of 7 years ago)—where, among the company I found another old friend, a sister of the duke of Argyle, & several acquaintances, & had a rousing time. Dinner with friends to-night & in the morning—then sail.

Everybody has been very affectionate, & you will be spiteful & jealous.

With love & kisses / Father [MTP].

Note: Sir Charles Holroyd (1861-1917) was the director of the National Gallery from 1906- 1916; 6th Earl of Portsmouth, Newton Wallop and Beatrice Pease Wallop; 9th Duke of Argyle was John George Edward Henry Douglas Sutherland Campbell (1845-1914) aka Marquess of Lorne prior to 1900, or “Earl of Campbell.” See earlier entries. “Among his other callers later in the day were Sir Thomas Lipton and Mr. [John] Henniker Heaton, M.P.” [London Tribune, July 13, p.7].

Sam also wrote to daughter Jean in Katonah, N.Y.    

Jean dear, we sail to-morrow noon the 13th & shall probably arrive on the 21st —more likely the 22d, perhaps. Steamer Minnetonka, I think.

I’ve had a powerful good time—& that includes Liverpool, night before last. Many people have given me messages for you & Clara—the latest ones were Bram Stoker & Mr. Farmer Hall [Farner Hall?] & his charming family. I have forgotten who the others were.

I know I ought to wait over a ship & go to Ireland—but I mustn’t—it is time to clear for home.

With love & kisses / Father / Mrs. Fitzgerald sends you great love [MTP]. Note:  Mrs. Fitzgerald had recently written Clemens, but very little is known of her. The exact date of Sam’s luncheon with Bram Stoker is not clear, but could have only been the night of July 10 or 11, the prior evening. Shelden puts this last evening meeting to a “quiet corner of an old pub in Fleet Street,” “Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese [123].

Sam also wrote to Edward Russell.

Dear Sir Edward Russell,—I was deeply moved and gratified by that beautiful poem, and I could not trust myself to try to express my feelings concerning it there, that night, knowing my voice would fail me. I thank you for those welcome words, and am grateful for the impulse that moved you to say them. It was my last (public) night in England, and certainly no one has ever had a more uplifting night anywhere, nor one so easy to house and sacredly preserve in the memory. Good-bye—but not for always, I hope—Sincerely yours, … [MTP]. Note: Sir Edward Russell (1834-1920), 1st Baron Russell of Liverpool, journalist and politician, he proposed the toast “The Health of Mark Twain” at the July 10 Lord Mayor dinner in Liverpool.

Sam also wrote to Carlotta Welles.

Indeed you are good—& although I do like to call you a little rascal, it is only because you are charming. I was afraid you wouldn’t send me a good-bye, but you have sent me a lovely one, & by that gentle deed I know you are good.

You thought I couldn’t trace my joker out, but I did. When I had been a day or so in this house I found that Mrs. Nunnally & Miss Frances were guests. Miss Frances had your address in her notebook, in your own handwriting. The d’s & the Ls betrayed you. So I know what little rascal it was that was playing tricks upon her guileless old shipmate.

You are right, Charlie, I didn’t steal the cup; & if I even tried to steal it, it wasn’t for myself, I only wanted to give it to you. I wouldn’t take a thing like that for a selfish reason.

We sail in the morning. Good-bye, dear, & continue to be happy in that beautiful foreign home of yours. / Doctor SLC [MTAq 43-45].

Sam also inscribed two photographs of himself to Frances Nunnally. First: “To Frances Nunnally, with the affectionate regards of her comrade / Mark Twain / July 12, 1907.” Second: “To Francesca with love & best wishes / Mark Twain / London, July 12, 1907. (week-day)” [MTP].  

Sam also inscribed a photograph to Cora W. Nunnally: “To Mrs. Nunnally, with the kindest regards of hers sincerely / Mark Twain / London, July 12, 1907.” [MTP].  

Ralph W. Ashcroft wrote for Sam to John Japp, Lord Mayor of Liverpool. “My dear Lord Mayor,—I shall to-morrow morning send you a photograph for the Lady Mayoress, which Dr. Clemens has signed. I am happy to tell you that Dr. Clemens says his visit to Liverpool was the most enjoyable feature of his visit to England— ” [MTP].  

Isabel Lyon’s journal (NY): Terribly busy all day getting ready to close the house, and to get ready for the King. Tino lunched with me, he dined with me, and again we looked through batches of letters, lovely interesting letters we find, but none from Aldrich. Tomorrow Tino starts for Elmira to visit Mrs. Crane and to collect biographical matter for the King’s book [MTP 83]. Note: “Tino” = A.B. Paine.

H. Walter Barnett wrote from London to send two portraits of Clemens in his robes; he bid him goodbye and a pleasant journey [MTP].

Ruth Gordon Bower wrote from Kilburn to Sam: “How very sweet of you to write me such a lovely letter…. Saturday I am going down to St. Pancras Station hoping to see you off. … Your affectionate little friend…”  [MTP].

J.Q. Brant-Sero wrote from London to Ashcroft sorry he couldn’t see Sam off [MTP].

Albert Bruce-Joy wrote from West Kensington to send Sam a photograph of his sculpture “The First Flight” (in the file) [MTP]. See insert: First Flight

W.H. Denny wrote on Savage Club notepaper, London, to request Sam’s autograph on the Club menu enclosed [MTP].

John L. Griffiths for American Consular Service wrote from Liverpool to Sam, sorry he did not see Sam at the hotel the day before; pleasant voyage wishes [MTP].

John Henniker Heaton wrote from London on Bath Club notepaper wishing Sam goodbye [MTP].

Charles Howard wrote on National Gallery notepaper, London, to Ashcroft, “delighted to meet Mr. Clemens at 11.45 today” [MTP].

Cora W. Nunnally wrote from London to express thanks to Sam for his kindnesses and association with Frances Nunnally (“Francesca”) [MTP].

Frances Nunnally wrote from London to Sam [MTP].

You have done so much for me since I have been in London, and given me so much pleasure, that I just wanted to write a little note to thank you for your many kindnesses. …

You must be sure not to forget to come to Catonsville to see those sixty girls next November. Wishing you the pleasantest of voyages over, I am / Your little friend, / Francesca [MTAq 45]. Note: Frances was a student at St. Timothy’s in Cantonville, Maryland.

Thomas Power O’Connor wrote from London to Ashcroft, enclosing an article for Clemens (not in file) [MTP].

Frank T. Searight for American Press Humorists wrote to Lyon enclosing a letter from Sam Davis of Carson, Nevada, whom Searight called “a chum of Mr. Clemens” [MTP]. Note: Davis thought of himself as such, but Sam didn’t care much for him. See other entries on Davis.

Frank T. Searight for American Press Humorists wrote to Sam asking for some article for a book being assembled for the Nye Memorial [MTP].

Bram Stoker wrote from Chelsea to offer goodbye wishes to Sam [MTP].

Frederick C. Van Duzer for American Society in London wrote to Sam enclosing “first proof” of the speech Sam made at the Independence Day Banquet, to be printed in a pamphlet form for members only [MTP].

S. Hartley Watson, for Savage Club wrote to thank Sam “for taking a ticket in aid of our Young Club Protégé Miss Marjorie Andrews” [MTP].