June – Sam’s notebook (for approximately June): Get “The Midge” by HC Bunner [MTNJ 3:240; Gribben 111]. Note: Henry Cuyler Bunner’s (1855-1896) sentimental novel (1886).

Closely following the above notebook entry is a reminder to: “Review ‘Luxilla’ that hogwash novel from the South” [MTNJ 3: 240]. Also on this page of the cited text, Sam wrote, “Bring down Tolstoi,” which the footnote implies would have been Tolstoi’s My Religion (1884). Howells, in his new “Editor’s Study,” had praised “Tolstoi’s commitment to truth and realism” [n51].

Note: Luxilla (1885) was by George Ernest Miller, a novel of a subterranean kingdom of thieves, spirits and a dwarf sorcerer. (Sounds like Harry Potter 120 years ahead of its time.)