May 22 Wednesday – Sam gave a reading at Hartford’s Unity Hall, part of a benefit for the Talcott Street Church (“colored”), which was raising money for an organ. Sam included, “Skinned Man,” “Mate and Governor Gardiner,” “Whistling,” and “Interviewer” [Fatout, MT Speaking 659; MTNJ 3: 473].

From Sam’s notebook: May 22/89, I read to the colored people “An Essay on the Decay of the Art of Lying” (first time in public) which went exceedingly well — unexpectedly so. Also read “The Duel” [3: 489].

This was the date that Dora Wheeler and her mother Candace Wheeler were to arrive for a five day visit (see May 16).

Sam’s notebook of this date carries another example of Sam’s idea of “mental telegraphy.” Livy’s mother, Olivia Lewis Langdon, was visiting:

Mother said, to Livy, “What is the name of the sister of” —

“Mrs. Corning?”

“Yes, Mrs. Erastus Corning.”

I was present. Livy exclaimed that this was genuine mental telegraphy, for no mention had been made of the Cornings [3: 488].

Reading in Volume 1 of The Poetic and Dramatic Works of Robert Browning, Sam noted his progress along the margin on p.207: “Begin here May 22/89” [Gribben 105]. (See May 15)

Frederick J. Hall wrote to Sam (financial statement encl.). Hall thought they had done “pretty well.” He advised against a cheap edition of P&P. Books sent for Apr. 1889: 5,466 total; Sheridan’s volumes sold best at 752 and 729 copies each [MTP].