September 20 Friday – In Sydney, Australia, the Clemens family went sightseeing around the city, and lunched with H. Pateson, manager of the New South Wales Fresh Food and Ice Co. on Harbor St., with several other ladies and gentlemen. In Ch. 11 of FE Sam commented on the market; refrigeration used there was only about twelve years old at the time, and made it possible for meat to be shipped to England. Sam gave an interview to a Sunday Times reporter, which was published on Sept. 22 as, “A Chat With Mark Twain.”

In the evening the Clemens family attended the social season’s second ball at the Government House for 600 guests. Livy wore a “white figured silk” gown; Clara a “buttercup satin, with cream lace” [Shillingsburg, “Down Under” 8]. “The occasion marked the social debut of Sir Frederick and Lady Darley’s youngest daughter Sylvia and five other young ladies.” The newspapers reported a gathering of 600 [Shillingsburg, At Home 50]. (Editorial emphasis.)