November 15 Friday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to daughter Jean in Katonah, N.Y.  

Jean dear, you may return that unpleasant book & we will put it out of sight. It lacks the ring of truth; lacks it so prominently that it fell flat, & made not a ripple on the surface of the human sea; whereas if its statements had been believed it would have created a cyclone. Evidently the world saw in it only an expression of the spite of some disgruntled small persons of the servant class, who had suffered from blighted little ambitions & were drunk with the spirit of unreasoning revenge. I think it is nothing but a hotch-potch of libels & slanders, & not worth anyone’s serious attention.

I am exercising, now—not for my health, but for pleasure’s sake. After 4 p. m., 5th avenue is a most interesting & enlivening show—even more than is Hyde Park in its show-hours. Yesterday at 2 p. m., I walked up to 42nd street—slowly, leisurely—then back home again, loafing along & gossiping with the police & other strangers; arrived at 4, & went to the wedding of Marjory Rice. Then billiards till midnight.

To-day I shall repeat; then dine out at 7.30.

With great love & many kisses— / Father [MTP]. Note: the “unpleasant book” is unknown.

Moncure D. Conway, longtime friend of Sam’s, died in Paris [American National Biography, Vol. 5 p.362].