April 28 Wednesday – At 23 Tedworth Square in London, Sam finished his Apr. 26 to H.H. Rogers.
The issue of including South Africa in FE had been settled in the affirmative—by Livy:
“Mrs. Clemens urged that you & Bliss were right. She said—but that ain’t any matter. The only thing is, that I have started in on South Africa, & have done two chapters on it & am moving along” [MTHHR 275-6]. Note: See May 3 to Frank Bliss.
April 27 Tuesday – At 23 Tedworth Square in London, Sam wrote to “Friar” Arthur Spurgeon (1861-1938), declining an invitation to the Whitefriars Club, after changing his mind to make only “several engagements.” He would keep only those and not add any.
I am to dine with Mr. Moberly Bell May 4th, but even if I were free I should avoid adding a public engagement.
You will have a good time. Max O’Rell made a delightful speech that other time, & he will do it again [MTP].
April 26 Monday – At 23 Tedworth Square in London, Sam began a long letter to H.H. Rogers that he finished on Apr. 28. In his May 3 to Frank Bliss, Sam disclosed he’d received “Mr. Rogers’s letter a week ago,” which would have been this day, so it’s likely this long missive to Rogers is a same-day reply.
April 24 Saturday – At 23 Tedworth Square in London, Sam wrote a short note to Chatto & Windus, advising that Bram Stoker would see them on Monday, Apr. 26 between 11 and 12 [MTP].
April 23 Friday – On the day observed and noted by Clemens as William Shakespeare’s birthday (the actual date is unknown), also celebrated as St. George’s day, at 23 Tedworth Square in London, Sam wrote to Miss Ethel Newman, thanking her for “those pleasant words.” If she liked such sentiments he sent along a Pudd’nhead Wilson maxim he’d just written for his new book (FE) that day:
April 22 Thursday – At 23 Tedworth Square in London, Sam wrote to Douglas B. Sladen declining an invitation of some sort.
“I do not go anywhere in public, or I should gladly say yes. I am very sorry, for whereas I have so much respect for a mile that I seldom walk one, I would walk five to see Lord Roberts” [MTP].
April 21 Wednesday – The “Critic’s Competition” in the Hartford Courant, p.8 selected Mark Twain’s “Jumping Frog” tale as one of the best dozen short stories by authors dead or alive. The article asked, “Is that as good a specimen as his ‘A Strange Occurrence?’”
April 16 Friday – At 23 Tedworth Square in London, Sam wrote to H.H. Rogers, curiously heading it PS but with it’s own dateline, salutation and signoff. Was it intended as part of the Apr. 14 letter to Rogers and mailed at the same time?
April 14 Wednesday – At 23 Tedworth Square in London, Sam wrote to Chatto & Windus: “Thank you ever so much. The madam wants another one—also a Huckleberry Finn. Will you send them?” [MTP].
Sam also wrote to John Y. MacAlister, that he’d finished his book the day before and that “The Madam edited this stuff out of it—on the ground that the first part is not delicate & that the last part is indelicate.” Would “the boys accept of condemned literature?” [MTP].
April 13 Tuesday – London. Sam claimed another “finished” for FE [Apr. 14 to MacAlister]. Note: This was to be only a draft. Sam’s notebook also registered: “London, Apl. 13, ’97. I finished my book today” [NB 41 TS 21].