October 17 Thursday – The Clemens party arrived in Horsham, Australia at 2:30 a.m. They were met by Herbert Cooke, secretary of Mechanics’ Institute, and a companion, possibly Mr. Eddie, president of that organization. The Clemenses took rooms at Lucas’ White Hart Hotel.

About noon the Clemenses took an open carriage ride of eight miles with T.K. Dow and others to Longerenong Agricultural College, to share tea with 40 students. Livy and Clara received flowers and candy at the school, and they watched the sophomores shear a dozen sheep. In FE, Ch. XXIII p.224-6, Sam wrote of the drive out to the college, the temperature 92 degrees yet he felt no heat, “the air was fine and pure and exhilarating.” Sam goes on to describe the 40 pupils as mostly “young men mainly from the cities — novices” of “good stuff…above the agricultural average of intelligence.”

Horsham was the smallest town Sam spoke in during his Australasian tour (about 3,000 population) but when he gave his “At Home With Mark Twain” lecture at the Mechanics’ Institute (ticket prices 3s, 2s), the house was “crammed.” Livy called Horsham the most enthusiastic audience yet, and visited with townspeople after the performance. After the lecture Sam was toasted over wine by T.K. Dow and about a dozen townsfolk. He “responded in a sympathetic, appreciative and highly characteristic speech.” Sam was in good health for the first time in weeks, though his Geelong appearance of Oct. 17 was again postponed until Oct. 28.

Reviews published Oct. 18: Horsham Times, Wimmera Star; Oct. 25 West Wimmera Mail [Shillingsburg, “Down Under” 15-6].