– The Clemens family left Florence at 10:45 AM and reached Bologna, Italy at 4:15 PM [MTLE 3: 97; MTNJ 2: 249]. Sam made a notebook entry that he stopped here to see Guiseppe Mezzofanti (d.1849), “because he knew 111 languages, but he was dead” [MTNJ 2: 266].
– The Clemens family stayed a day and another night in Florence [MTLE 3: 97].
– The Clemens family left Rome at 10:50 AM, and returned to Florence, Italy at 6:50 PM, where they spent the night at the Hotel de New York [MTLE 3: 97; MTNJ 2: 248]. They were headed north to spend the winter in Munich, a 600 mile trip with 36 hours on slow trains, and four overnight hotel stops to make the journey more bearable for Livy [Rodney 115]. Sam’s notebook:
“… saw splendid torchlight processions crossing the 2 Arno bridges to see the King, at the Pitti palace.
– Livy wrote from Rome to her mother (see Nov. 9 entry).
– “Cooks agent gone off junketing—for a few days—can’t get any tickets” [MTNJ 2: 245].
In a letter dated Nov. 10, Livy wrote to her mother:
We have enjoyed Rome immensely & wish so very much that we were going to spend three months here.
– Sam viewed the painting “Bambino” at Ara Coeli.
It is always safe to say a thing was mentioned by Pliny. He was the father of reporters—he mentioned everything.
Suit of clothes in Heidelberg, $18; in Milan (slop-shop) $9; in Rome (fancy tailor, $25 & $38—both very fine—the latter half dress. At home, $65 to 90 [MTNJ 2: 246].
– U.S. Consulate sent Venetian Bills of Lading for things purchased [MTP].
– Sam’s notebook:
“Visited the Catacombs. One mummy (shapeless) & one slender young girl’s long hair & decaying bones— both in stone coffins & both between 15 & 1600 years old.”
– Sam’s notebook:
“…spent all day in Vedder’s lofty studio & the evening with him & another artist spinning yarns & drinking beer in a quiet saloon. Big row in the street but no bloodshed.”
Elihu Vedder was an American artist who kept a studio in Rome. Sam visited the studio several times [MTNJ 2: 242]. (See Nov. 9 entry.)
– Sam wrote from Rome, Italy to Joe Twichell. After discussing the matter of a clock Sam had purchased, sending it home through Will Sage, which caused all sorts of red tape, Sam sent compliments on Joe’s letters.