January 1 Saturday – Sam’s notebook: “Fine sunny day” [NB 42 TS 52].

In Vienna, Austria Sam inscribed a copy of More Tramps Abroad, (FE) to Ida Speiser- Wegenstein: “To / Mrs. Ida Speiser-Wegenstein / Wishing her many Happy New Years. With the kind regards of, / The Author / Vienna, New Years’ Day 1898” [MTP: Sothebys London catalogs, July 13, 2000, Item 48].

He also wrote an aphorism to an unidentified person:

There is but one way to keep well, according to the doctors:

Eat what you don’t want,

drink what you don’t like,

and do what you would rather not. / Truly Yours / Mark Twain / New Year’s ‘98 [MTP: Randall catalogs, No. 266].