February 12 Sunday – Sam wrote from Hartford to James R. Osgood. Unwilling to admit that publishing by subscription was no longer the viable method it once was, Sam found every other possible reason for the failure of P&P to generate sales in line with his past successes.

My Dear Osgood—I didn’t know of anything to suggest, so I waited for an idea. It hasn’t arrived. Too brief a pre-canvass, and the subsequent performances of the Bliss gang of general agents, were the main troubles, I guess.—Then there is another—the modern canvasser (not gen’l agent but canvasser,) doesn’t canvass. He sublets to an idiot, on a percentage, and sits at home in aristocratic indolence. That is the case here; it is the case in Elmira, N.Y.; it is doubtless the rule [MTLTP 151].

Sam also mentioned that Edward H. House had been there “mighty sick” the past two weeks, but was “mending somewhat, the last two days”; the need for a trip soon to New York (“I’ve got to go to New York for a day, pretty soon”); and Charles Clark’s progress in editing the “Library of Humor” [152].

February 12–19 Sunday – Sometime during this period Sam wrote to Twichell. Sam mentioned that “House is getting better and better.” Sam wrote on Feb. 3 about Edward House becoming ill four days before; and wrote to House himself on Feb. 23, so this period of time for the Twichell letter makes more sense than the Feb.12-23 period given by the MTP. Sam offered theological advice:

“I always told you to keep a few sermons ahead—write them in the woods instead of always loafing. If I knew the ropes I’d write you one, cheerfully” [MTP].