February 25 Monday – In New York City, Sam gave a dinner speech for Trinity College Alumni, “The College President.” Hartford Daily Courant published Sam’s remarks (Feb. 26, 1889, p.3.) The speech was in honor of Twain’s friend Dr. George Williamson Smith, a clergyman and President of Trinity College in Hartford. See MTNJ 3: 452n151.
February 24 Sunday – In Hartford Sam responded to Feb. 18 & 19 letters from Thomas W. Knox, saying that if the office of Building Inspector for Hartford was offered it would be the only office he would take, but,
…not any other office that is namable, not even a kingship…I do thank you, each and every one, but I couldn’t dream of accepting, old friend [MTP].
February 23 Saturday – Dana Estes, acting as secretary for the International Copyright Association, Boston, wrote Sam urging him to appear at the Mar. 7 benefit at the Boston Museum for the copyright cause. Estes declared, “your co-operation is deemed absolutely essential to the success of the Reading” [MTP].
February 22 Friday – Thomas W. Knox for Lotos Club wrote to Sam that the matter he’d been trying to see Sam about was to urge him to accept the Club presidency for the coming year [MTP].
February 21 Thursday – In Hartford Sam wrote a one-liner to Richard Watson Gilder of the Century, declining an invitation due to “an engagement away up North on that date” [MTP].
Orion Clemens finished his letter began Feb. 20 [MTP].
February 20 Wednesday – International copyright legislation again failed in Congress. In Hartford, Sam sent his thanks to President Grover Cleveland for his support in the effort. Sam responded to Cleveland’s letter of Feb. 15.
February 19 Tuesday – Thomas W. Knox wrote to Sam (enclosed in Webster & Co.’s Feb. 19) and repeating his Feb. 18 letter about wanting to see him [MTP].
Webster & Co. wrote to Sam: “Yesterday turned out to be a red letter day. More orders came in after you left. We thought you would be glad to know that we sold in all 1053 volumes yesterday, amounting at the discount price to $1537.60” [MTP].
February 18 Monday – Frederick J. Hall wrote to Sam that sales of Mrs. Custer’s book, Tenting on the Plains had improved [MTLTP 252n3]. Hall felt they’d have to sell about 3,000 sets of the LAL in order to pay for the manufacture of the whole eleven volumes [MTP].
February 17 Sunday – Sam and Livy returned home to Hartford [Feb. 14 to Whitmore; MTNJ 3: 449n138].
February 16 Saturday – The Clemenses attended a matinee performance of Wagner’s opera, Tannhäuser at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York [MTNJ 3: 449n138]. Sam may have attended a Yale alumni dinner at Delmonico’s in the evening [Feb. 14 to Whitmore].