January 24 Tuesday – At 21 Fifth Ave. in N.Y.C. Sam wrote to the American Academy of Arts and Letters, casting his vote for the election of Thomas Bailey Aldrich as the fifteenth member of that select group. On Dec. 2, 1904 Sam had been one of the original seven elected [MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Today mother and I did some shopping together. It was blustery, but fine. Ugo is going away tomorrow. / Mr. Clemens is still in his bed, though better” [MTP: TS 38]. Note: Ugo Piemontini, the Italian servant brought back from Florence.

Arthur Newall wrote from Wiltshire, England to Sam seeking a copy of 1601. Newall wrote that he had written to Sam in April 1901 (not extant) but had had no luck in obtaining a copy of the tale from Lords Wolseley and Houghton. After reading in the London Times that Sam had found a copy, Newall inquired again [MTP]. Note: the MTP puts Sam’s response as “on or after 24 January 1905,” but this is not a telegram, but a letter, which would have taken at least seven or eight days to arrive in N.Y. Therefore, Sam’s response is here assigned a ca. Feb. 2 date. See entry.

Charles Langdon wrote to Sam, acknowledging receipt of Miss Lyon’s letter and check for $66.80. He was delighted that Sam was better. He hoped to see him Thursday or Friday. He enclosed papers for Sam to sign and for Lyon to witness, having to do with Livy’s estate [MTP].