June 26 Monday – The Cincinnati Commercial printed Moncure Conway’s “London Letter,” which contained several quotations, extracts and bits of plot summary for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. It also contained the entire fence-painting scene. From this publication many other newspapers picked up the article. Sam liked this method of publicity, of giving the public teasers before the book was issued [MTPO, notes on Sam’s July 24 to Conway].

Orion Clemens wrote from Keokuk, several pages of detail about the Daily Evening Constitution paper being up for sale for $5,000 with half down. Would Sam telegraph him if he was disposed to help him buy the paper? Orion was sure there was enough in it to live on [MTP].

William J. Lampton wrote from St. Louis, expecting to take in the Centennial in the east and wanted to visit [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env. “Declined to suffer the affliction of his visit”