July 1 Thursday – Andrew Chatto and Sam “ripped out a raft of reprint matter from the Australian part of the book” (FE) feeling it improved the book and wasn’t needed [July 2 to Bliss].
The Hartford Courant, July 3, 1897: “Theatrical Gossip – Gillette Gives a Supper” p.3. The article did not report that Sam spoke at the supper. The dinner was noted in his notebook but no mention of a talk or speech given; if he did his words have been lost:
William Gillette gave a supper Thursday night, at the Savoy Hotel, London, to Samuel L. Clemens. Among those present were Sir Henry Irving, Chauncey M. Depew, John Hare, Beerbohm Tree, George Alexander, Charles Frohman, Charles L. Dillingham, Richard Harding Davis and Clement Scott.
Notes: This was quite a collection of theatrical talent and management skill.
William H. Gillette was in London with his successful play, Secret Service.
Sir Henry Irving (born John Henry Brodribb), great British actor and manager.
Chauncey M. Depew, railroad tycoon, renowned speaker, longtime Twain friend.
Sir John Hare (1844-1921), English actor and past manager of the Garrick Theatre (1889-1895) who took on the Globe Theatre in 1897. He toured the US in 1900-01 and became well known there.
Herbert Beerbohm Tree (1852-1917), English actor and manager who successfully ran the Haymarket Theatre from 1887-1897 and then helped fund the creation of His Majesty’s Theatre.
George Alexander (1858-1918) (born George Alexander Gibb Samson), British actor and manager.
Charles Frohman, drama manager and promoter, brother of Daniel Frohman, made annual trips to London.
Charles Bancroft Dillingham, Broadway producer (and dandy the press dubbed “the Beau Brummell of Broadway”). Also Frohman’s protégé about whom one journalist wrote: “He looked cute enough to kiss, in a staggering waistcoat and lemon colored gloves.” Began his career as a theater reviewer for the New York Evening Post; later became partners and roommates with Charles Frohman [Marra’s 2006 Strange Duets: Impresarios and Actresses in the American Theatre, 1865-1914 p.83].
Richard Harding Davis (see Dec.19, 1893 entry).
Clement Scott (1841-1904) was an influential English drama critic for the London Daily Telegraph who popularized the first night review, offering criticism in an acerbic, flowery style. He worked for a couple of years after this time on the NY Herald but returned to England by 1900.
Note: Fatout, MT Speaking also lists this as a story or speech, p.665.
The Chap-Book, included “Notes,” by anonymous, p. 115-16: “The CRITIC is certainly right in condemning the subscription fund started by the New York HERALD for the benefit of Mark Twain….All that he has asked for is the opportunity to make good his losses by his own work, and the HERALD’s proposition must appear to him, as it does to everyone else, as a mere blundering indignity” [Tenney: “A Reference Guide Fourth Annual Supplement,” American Literary Realism, Autumn 1980 p. 173]. See also the Chap-Book for July 15.