– “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.
– Sam’s notebook:
“Great festa-day—shops all closed. Attended High Mass in a chapel of St. Peters. Heaps of people of all ages sexes & professions kissing (& scrubbing) St Peter Jupiter’s toe. He looks like a black negro & has short crisp hair” [MTNJ 2: 239].
November – In Sam’s notebook there’s an entry “Little Pedlington” which refers to John Poole’s 1839 book, Little Pedlington and the Pedlingtonians. Gribben quotes E. Cobham Brewer, calling this “an imaginary place, the village of quackery and can’t, egotism and humbug, affectation and flatter” [553].
Sam noted “Turganieff’s Visions” and “Visions, a Phantasy, by Tourganieff—in the Galaxy” in his notebook [MTNJ 2: 244, 247].
Sam received letters from Will Sage and Joe Twichell about payments required and red tape needed to get the “two boxes of Clocks” through customs. He made a note to do a chapter in his book about “this most scoundrelly & infernal custom house system” [MTNJ 2: 237].
Sam’s notebook:
Sam visited the Sistine Chapel, commenting on work by Raphael. He counted 25 courtyards in the Vatican. He noted the Tom of the Virgin and wrote “How she would draw in N.Y.” [MTNJ 2: 237].
Gustavo Sarfatti wrote to Sam (Sept. 29 from Sarfatti enclosed) [MTP].