January 6 Friday – In San Remo, Italy, William Dean Howells wrote to Sam.

I have always been afraid you didn’t get a letter I wrote you at Florence last June trying to say the things it is never any use to say. Ever since I had hoped you would let me hear from you. I have heard about you and your family from John [Howells] and others, and I know how in a general way you are getting more than your share of sorrow still. But I wish I could have some word from you, and I know it would help you to unpack your heart to me as you used to do.It seems a poor joke of fate that I should be in Italy the year after you, and only twelve hours from Florence. We came down from London early in October and have been here ever since, threatening to go home by every boat from Genoa, but now probably meaning to stay till spring. I dread the New York [winter] for my wife, if we were plunged back into it, and Pilla would simply have to sail for Bermuda as soon as she arrived…. San Remo is a pretty good place to work for there isn’t anything else to do, and I’m working away at the English material I stored up in the summer, turning it mostly into beeswax, I’m afraid. I wish I could see you, and about three other people in America, where I hope to stay if I ever get back. We’ve laid the ghost of ever living in Italy; New York is bad enough for me. — Do let me hear from you. Elinor and Pilla join me in love to you all. I hope you have encouraging reports of Clara [MTHL 2: 795]. Note: Howells was writing two travel books, London Films and Certain Delightful English Towns, etc. which would be published in 1906.

Kate Rogers Nowell wrote from NYC to Sam, sorry to hear of his illness, and asking him not to “trouble to sign these accompanying proofs, until you feel quite like it.” Nowell discussed his portrait in the Outlook. She told a tale of a co-worker lady who had been introduced to Clemens, “and she told him how much he looked like ‘Mark Twain’!” [MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Mrs. Whitmore has sent me Richard Le Gallienne’s last book [Painted Shadows (1904)]. This morning I took it in to Mr. Clemens and he was glad to see it, saying “an able cuss and writes deliciously.” Busy all morning over the check book—and hunting for 2 books that Mr. Clemens wants—“Letters of Robert E. Lee”—and a book by Mr. Prior. I haven’t seen either of them. Mr. Rogers came in this afternoon and later I played cards with Mr. Clemens. Also I have another book, “The Queen’s Qhair”. I am fond of Hewlett’s books. I ran in to see mother who was surreptitiously ironing in her tiny room and very gleeful too [MTP: TS 36]. Note: Recollections and Letters of General Robert E. Lee, by His Son, Captain Robert E. Lee (1904). Since the move to 21 Fifth Ave. Lyon noted she had not seen this book. Also: “[Gribben 404]. See Gribben’s entry on Le Gallienne for An Old Country House, which he inscribed “S.L. Clemens, 1905, to I.V. Lyon, 1908” [404]. See also 1908 year entry for this inscription and gift to Isabel Lyon. The Queen’s Quair or the Six Years’ Tragedy (1904) by Maurice Henry Hewlett (not in Gribben).