June 23 Friday – In Boston, Howells wrote to Sam:

I hope all fear of scarlet fever in the case of your little ones is past, and that you soon will be on your hill-top at Elmira….A composer [George Henschel] who can get the Ideals to produce his opera wants me to write his libretto. Will you kindly let me know just what terms you made with Raymond for production of Col. Sellers? [MTHL 1: 409].

Sam wrote from Hartford to Jack (no last name) who had sent turtles to Susy and Clara Clemens.

“Both of the creatures have just now been baptised, & duly outfitted with the designations suited to their dignity & general dimensions: Clara has named her turtle Alexander Hamilton; Susie names hers the Duchess of Marlborough. If the twins survive these names I reckon they will pull through all right” [MTP].