December 22 Wednesday – Sam wrote from Hartford to David Watt Bowser (“Wattie”) in Dallas, Texas, who had written that he’d won a gold medal for his paper. Sam asked Wattie to “remember me kindly to your teacher [Laura Wright Dake]” [MTLE 5: 231].
On or about this day Sam wrote to Edwin Pond Parker, Pastor of the Second Church of Christ, Hartford. Sam asked the clergyman to compose a “certain piece of music” that he’d been imagining all morning; he gave specifics to be incorporated, including the theme, “The Splendor falls on Castle Walls, & snowy summits old in story” [MTLE 5: 232].
Rev. Edwin Pond Parker replied from Hartford to Sam.
Dear Clemens / Your note was very pleasant—and I think I divine your meaning in it. Don’t you know that the “Bugle Song” has been the despair of musicians? Repeatedly they have attempted the task. No one has succeeded.
Have you seen a volume of Tennyson’s songs set to music—published last year? A sumptuous book! Some good things—and a very fair setting of this Bugle Song in it. I wish I could do that which you suggest, but I fear it isn’t in me to do it.
But—I want to do something! Your rank as a writer of humorous things is high enough—but, do you know—Clemens—that it is in you to do some first-class serious or sober work.
Now let me say to you what I have repeatedly said of you—I know no American writer of your generation, who is capable of writing such forcible, sinewy, racy English as you. You are abundantly capable of turning out some work that shall bear the stamp of your individuality plainly enough, and at the same time have a sober character and a solid worth & as permanent value. It might not pay in “shekels”, but it would do you vast honor, and give your friends vast pleasure.
Am I too bold? Pardon me, but I wish I had your opportunity & your genius… [MTP]. Note: the Rev. Parker was not alone in urging Clemens to lift his writing to a more serious vein; Mary Fairbanks had recently done so, and Livy agreed.
The New York Press Club receipted Sam $12 for dues through Dec. 31 [MTP].
A. Wing wrote to Sam: “Our friend Mr. Twichell has just written…to General Grant in behalf of the Chinese Educational Mission, which Mr Wu, the present Commissioner has put on its last legs—& you came out victorious…” [Vassar]. Note: for a good treatment of the Chinese Mission episode, see Courtney, ch. 19.