July 4 Friday – Sam prepared a speech for the Meeting of Americans, London. (published in Fatout, MT Speaking 74-76) but was unable to give it [Welland 63].

Sam’s second of five letters on the Shah of Persia appeared in the New York Herald [MTNJ 1: 537n28].

Sam wrote from the Langham Hotel, noting “Independence Day” to Adam Badeau, naming July 11 or 12 as suitable for visiting Badeau’s “Little Boston House.”

“I tell Mrs. Clemens things begin to look promising. She has been wanting to see Mr. Motley, the Tower of London & Little Boston” [MTL 5: 396]. Note: John Lothrop Motley (1814-1877), American historian and author whom Livy had read, and minister to Austria under Lincoln (1861-7).

Sam also wrote a short note to Moncure Conway that he was not going to France, “because the Shah’s movements are so uncertain” [MTL 5: 397].

In the evening Sam attended a dinner to celebrate Independence Day. Robert C. Schenck,  the U.S. minister presided and would not allow speeches. Sam had been sure he would be called on to speak, so had written and memorized a speech he did not give, the manuscript of which was published as “After-Dinner Speech” in Sketches, New and Old (1875) [MTL 5: 397].

Joaquin Miller wrote from London to Sam. He’d been “down town the last two days” and hadn’t got Sam’s two letters until “last night.” He would send Frederick Locker a note “to say you and I will call there Tuesday next at 5 or 6 p.m. I will call for you at 4 or 5. / Locker is the best humorous poet living. If you have time get a book made up of selections from Locker Tennyson & Browning—I forget the name of it” [MTP].