February 21 Tuesday – At 21 Fifth Ave. in N.Y.C. Sam inscribed a portrait drawing of himself to Susan Crane: “Feb. 21/05 / To Susy Crane / the dearly beloved—from / ‘The Holy Samuel.’” [MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s Journal (for Feb. 22): “It was yesterday that Mr. Clemens read King Leopold’s Soliloquy to Mrs. Crane & me. Breathless we sat & were weak with emotion when he finished the bald, truthful statements that rolled from Leopold’s vicious lips. Horribly, too horribly picturesque it is, and Mr. Clemens will cut out some of it. It’s a pity too, but I suppose it would be too strong a diet for people & governments” [MTP: TS 41; Hawkins 155 with slight differences]. Note: the North American Review rejected the piece. See Apr. 11, 1905 to Morel.

Clemens signed a portrait print of himself by illustrator Kate Rogers Nowell to an unidentified person: “Sincerely yours, / Mark Twain / Feb. 21/’05” [MTP: Fraser’s Autographs; printed in The Outlook # 78, 1904, p. 843]. See Dec. 3, 1904 entry. Insert Nowell’s illustration.

Erving Winslow for the Anti-Imperialist League wrote to Sam, enclosing a flyer. “Will you permit us to use your name among our list of vice-presidents? [MTP]. Sam replied about Feb.23.

Alice Hooker Day wrote from 28 Fifth Ave., N.Y. to Sam, asking him to come to luncheon with his family on the following day [MTP].

Ernest C. Hales wrote on The Portland (England) Pottery Co. letterhead to compliment Sam on the “many years” of enjoyment received through Mark Twain’s books [MTP]. Note: Sam answered on Mar. 6.