February 15 Friday – At 169 rue de l’Université in Paris, Sam wrote to Elizabeth H. Colt, commenting on the 52 page A Memorial to Caldwell Hart Colt: 1858-1894. “Colly” Colt, her son, died on Jan. 21, 1894.

It is not a large book, & not labored but simple; & yet when one has finished it he is conscious that a Man has passed by. Every fine and great quality stands forth strong & clear, & one recognizes that there is an art which is above & beyond conscious art: & that it is Unconscious art doing its work under the inspirations of love & sincerity. …

We grieve with you; it is all that our love can do. Man seems royally gifted until the heart of a friend needs healing, then all his poverty stands exposed. He cannot heal, he can only wish — & wish — & know that his own day is coming, & that then his best friends can do nothing for him but say his own futile words to him again — “We grieve with you” [MTP]

Note: Elizabeth Colt’s son, Caldwell (“Colly”) Hart Colt died a little over a year before, on Jan. 21, 1894 in Florida of tonsillitis after an operation there. Sam was evidently in possession of a memorial-type book about the famous yachtsman. In testate and a bachelor, the bulk of his father’s fortune reverted to Mrs. Colt, now the richest woman in Connecticut. See N.Y. Times Jan. 23, 1894 p.1, “Victim of Malignant Tonsillitis”. A picture of Colt in his yachtsman outfit and dapper muttonchops may be seen on cthistoryonline.org.

In the matter of renting the Clemens’ Hartford house, attorney Henry C. Robinson signed a typed letter on his law offices letterhead to John C. Day. Day had talked to Franklin G. Whitmore who reported he “has had an application for the house from a very desirable tenant, and sent the application to Paris a week ago.” Whitmore was trying to rent the house, barn and furniture for $1,000 for six months. See also Robinson’s follow up for Feb. 26, 1895 [Tenney 1981 copy from Stowe-Day Library, Hartford]. Note: John and Alice (Hooker) Day eventually rented the home. As long time friends of the Clemenses, the comfort level would have been good. Also, the letterhead, besides Henry C. Robinson, lists Lucius F. Robinson and Henry S. Robinson — a family firm.