April 25 Saturday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to Helen Schuyler Allen.

I miss you ever so much, you dear Helen. There’s been a queer & constant reminder of you— salt in my hair—ever since that pleasant bath, until an hour ago when I washed it out with 5 separate & distinct soapings & scourings.

We had an enjoyable voyage—(though a little rough)—because I had a member of the Aquarium along, & also the Governor General. The Governor General (Gray)—is just a love!

There couldn’t be a more winning, & respect-compelling and human-being-at-its-very-best personality. And so the voyage was too short.

But I’m desolate now. My youngest daughter came yesterday, but she could stay only an hour or two, then hurry away. My other daughter (Clara) will arrive this evening. Meantime there’s not an angel-fish on the place; the Aquarium is empty. Francesca (Atlanta Ga.), can’t come till June. Dorothy (London) can’t come any earlier. Margaret (up the Hudson at school), can’t come till April 23. Dorothy (New Jersey) can’t come till next Monday. You can see yourself, that things were looking gloomy for me—but my weather is improving, I am glad to say. Irene has telephoned that she is coming Saturday morning. She will play billiards until luncheon & after that, we will go to a matinèe. Maybe her parents will allow her to stay over till Monday, then Dorothy will come.

The billiard room in the house we are building up-country will be the official headquarters of the Aquarium. On the walls will be the framed photographs of the members and over the door will be the sign “The Aquarium,” in wood-carving. My daughter Jean will do the carving, & she is competent.

Good-bye, dear heart. Please remember me cordially to the others & at least all of that to yourself.

Lovingly, SLC

The people of the Sandwich Islands have offered me a mantel-piece, of native wood, for the new house. Isn’t that nice? Miss Lyon & the architect have forwarded the design, dimensions, etc. [MTP; MTAq 144-5].

Sam also replied to a not-extant letter from Andrew Lang, which from this reply, asked if Sam had received Lang’s latest book. Gribben supplies The Maid of France, Being the Story of the Life and Death of Jeanne d’Arc,  London (1908) [395].

Dear Mr. Lang,—

I haven’t seen the book nor any review of it, but only not very understandable references to it— of a sort which discomforted me, but of course set my interest on fire. I don’t want to have to read it in French—I should lose the nice shades, & should do a lot of gross misinterpreting, too.

But there’ll be a translation soon, nicht wahr? I will wait for it. I note with joy that you say: “If you are lazy about comparing, (which I most certainly am), I can make you a complete set of what the authorities say, & of what this amazing novelist says that they say.”

Ah, do it for me! Then I will attempt the article, & (if I succeed in doing it to my satisfaction,) I will publish it. It is long since I touched a pen (3½ years), & I was intending to continue this happy holiday to the gallows, but—there are things that could beguile me to break this blessed Sabbath. / Yours very sincerely, … [MTP].

Sam also replied to the Apr. 23 from Dorothy Sturgis.

Dear Miss Dorothy, I thank you ever so much for the picture; I am very glad to have it—your mother was quite right about it. I did not know it was from you until your letter came. Miss Lyon thinks you think you told her you were going to send me an Easter present, but forgot to really say it.

 It is generally agreed that Joe Jefferson’s son’s Rip Van Winkle is not as good as his father’s was, & some folks say the like about Sothern jr’s Lord Dundreary as compared with his senior’s rendition of the part—but that is a distinct mistake. Miss Lyon & I saw the piece this afternoon, & I laughed as I have not laughed before in 30 years—that is to say, not since I saw the elder Sothern in the part for the last time a generation ago. When you have the opportunity, go & see that play.

Miss Lyon sends you lots & lots of love, & so doth [MTP].

Note: Edward H. Sothern, son of Edward Askew Sothern, ended his engagement on this very day at the Lyric Theatre, where Sam, Miss Lyon and Mrs. Collier viewed the performance. Sothern played the part of Lord Dundreary, a part his father had played for many years [NY Times, 17 Apr. p. 7, “Theatrical notes”; NY Times 28 Jan, “Dundreary’s Charm and Genial Humor”; Gribben 689]. See Sam’s A.D. Apr. 28; Insert ad for play.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “I shall never, never be able to catch up again for the days are only a kind of wind that whirls me along and away through a wonderful maze of living. Mrs. Collier, the King and I went to see Sothern in Dun Dreary” [MTP: IVL TS 49]. Note: see insert.  

Philip Nichols Sunderland wrote to thank Sam for his check of $4,063.78, the eighth payment on the contract for construction of the Redding house [MTP]. Note: Sunderlands were a three generation Danbury family of builders, who built Stormfield.

Monroe Sunshine wrote on Sunshine Pressing Appliance letterhead, NYC to Sam.

I dare say that as you strolled past 14 E 8th St. on your way to Fifth Ave late this afternoon you little dreamed that you passed within a few feet of one who was the protégé of old Joe Brown, once Mayor of Atton, Ill, later Mayor of St. Sonis and at one time owner of some of the fastest Mississippi boats.

Mr. Brown often told me that you were a very “bum” pilot. He said you had the habit of running “her” on sand banks.

Joe Brown is sleeping on one of the hills above Atton overlooking the river he loved so well…. I never had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with Mr. Mark Twain but I certainly would like to [MTP].