December 24 Friday – Sam wrote from Hartford to Frank Bliss to order several books for the Camoēns Library in Portugal as a contribution, in care of the Consul General of Portugal in New York City [MTLE 5: 223].
Sam also wrote to Howells, sorry he wasn’t able to join the Tile Club supper and the meeting the day after with Twichell and Grant. Sam wished the Howellses a Merry Christmas [MTLE 5: 234].
Sam also wrote to his sister, Pamela Moffett. He thanked her for the Christmas presents that did “not oppress the receiver with their costliness.” He was glad she “could not find the Mowatt book—I have a special reason for detesting that work.” Sam’s mother was in poor health, and Sam hoped it would improve [MTLE 5: 235]. Note: the Mowatt book is not further identified.
Sam also replied to the Dec. 22 from Edwin Pond Parker, member of the Monday Evening Club, asking him to read The Prince and the Pauper and respond with feedback. Pond’s urging for Sam to write in “a more serious vein” ignored the many social implications in his works to date, and Sam evidently felt there were certainly serious sub-texts in P&P [MTNJ 2: 382n78].
Sam further responded:
“I was wavering between launching a book of the sort you mention, with my name to it, & smuggling it into publicity with my name suppressed. Well, I’ll put my name to it, & let it help me or hurt me as the fates shall direct” [MTLE 5: 236]. Note: Sam was concerned because the book (P&P) was “such a wide departure” from his “accustomed line.”
Mollie and Orion Clemens wrote to Sam and to thank Livy “heartily” for her Christmas gift. Orion hoped Sam & Livy would prize “the quilt for its history”; Christmas wishes from both [MTP].
Ulysses S. Grant wrote from NYC to Sam in support of retaining the Chinese students studying in Hartford. “Li Hung Chang is the most powerful and most influential Chinaman in his country. He professed great friendship for me when I was there, and I have had assurances of the same thing since. I hope, if he is strong enough with his govt. that the discussion to withdraw the Chinese students from this country may be changed” [MTP]. Note: Grant was instrumental in retaining the Chinese Mission students studying in Hartford.