April 29 Thursday – Sam wrote from Hartford to Howells about sending a copy of the proposed Atlantic piece “A Telephonic Conversation” to an English magazine. Sam enclosed a copy “enveloped & stamped for transmission at the proper time”. Publication of an article first in America and soon after in England would cover copyright considerations. Sam wrote about the fortunate discovery of a spring struck on the strip of land they had added to their property “a fortnight” before, which allowed a new water supply in place of the damaged spring they’d been using [MTLE 5: 90].

William A. Seaver wrote to Sam. “When my wife opened the package from Hartford addressed to Mrs. H. Seaver,” and found it was your book, and bore the legend: ‘From Purity to Pity,’ she said she knew there could be no doubt but that the volume was intended for her, because all the Pity that there is in the family is concentrated in her.” He encouraged Sam to come to NY [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env., “From Old Seaver, editor ‘Harper’s Drawer.’”