August 22 Saturday – Sam wrote from Elmira to William Dean Howells, extolling Howells’ latest novel, A Foregone Conclusion, the third installment having appeared in the Sept. issue of Atlantic Monthly. Livy’s condition made it necessary to stay in Elmira a bit longer than planned. Sam thought another month [MTL 6: 209].

Joe Twichell wrote to announce that Captain Wakeman was aboard the S.S. Colon approaching Aspinwall. Joe had a conversation with the old Captain. “He hadn’t said ten words before I tasted richness…I was never more entertained in my life” [MTP].