July 26 Tuesday – Jean Clemens’ eighteenth birthday.
In Kaltenleutgeben, Austria, Sam wrote to Chatto & Windus requesting their “new Stevenson book” for Livy. He thought it was poetry and ventured a guess of the name, “Black & White?” He also requested “the cheap edition of ‘Spiritual Tales’ (is that it?) except vol. 1,” which he had by “Mrs. or Miss” Macleod (Edinburgh) . He also suggested Chatto request copies of FE from Bliss, thinking the illustrations would sell them, or, perhaps the different title would “interfere awkwardly” [MTP]. Note: More
Tramps Abroad,, the English version of FE lacked the illustrations of FE. Robert Louis Stevenson’s A Lowden Sabbath Morn (1898) is likely the book Sam was after, as it was inscribed “To Livy / on her next birthday. / SL Clemens / Kaltenleutgeben, August, ‘98” [Gribben 663].
Sam also sent his photo-postcard to Brander Matthews, thanking for three articles sent. “Compliments are sometimes pretty hard to bear, but these are not that sort. They are conspicuously and most pleasantly the other way. I hope to see you in the Spring, & then go away no more” [MTP].
Sam also wrote to H.H. Rogers. All but the last paragraph (which mentioned requests for Whitmore to send Rogers $1,500 and Bliss to send the next half-yearly royalties) covers his recent literary works. He related sending a play translation of “In Purgatory” to Charles Frohman who didn’t think it had a market in England. “He says it’s all jabber & no play. Curious, too, for it tears these Austrians to pieces with laughter.” He thought it read silly but on the stage was “exceedingly funny.” He intended to send it to Rogers who could return it if it was not marketable in America. He purposed more works:
At odd intervals I am translating another play; by & by I’ll finish it, & then I’ll translate no more.
I have written 3 mag. articles:
“About Play-Acting.” (Forum)
“The Great Republic’s Peanut Stand.”
“Concerning the Jews.”
I intend No. 1 for the Forum, for it is exceedingly serious.
I think I will send 2 & 3 to Harper & ask him to select one & send the other to you. I should like you to send it to the “Century.”
…
The Jew article is my gem of the ocean. I have taken a world of pleasure in writing it & doctoring it & polishing it & fussing at it. Neither Jew nor Christian will approve of it, but people who are neither Jews nor Christians will, for they are in a condition to know truth when they see it. I really believe that I am the only man in the world who is equipped to write upon the subject without prejudice. For I am without prejudice. It is my hope that both the Christians and the Jews will be damned; & to that end I am working all my influence. Help me pray. You & Rice.
If I have my leaning it is toward the Jew, not the Christian. There is one thing I’d like to say, but I dasn’t. Christianity has deluged the world with blood & tears—Judaism has caused neither for religion’s sake. I’ve had hard luck with them [MTHHR 353].
Note: “About Play Acting” ran in the Oct. 1898 issue of the Forum. “Peanut Stand” was not sent to Rogers and unpublished. “Concerning the Jews” ran in Harper’s, Sept. 1899. Sam received $500 for it.