December 14 Sunday – In N.Y.C. William Dean Howells wrote a short note to Sam.
Stoddard’s story was rubbish of the sort that would appeal to a love-sick chambermaid; and I had to send it back to him. But I am ready to join you in another move on Harriot[t]. / Sorry to have been in Ohio when you came, the other day [MTHL 2: 754].
December 15 Monday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to William D. McCrackan: “I thank you ever so much for your N. A. Review articles. I read them last night, with admiration & with profit” [MTP].
Sam also wrote to Frederick W. Peabody, Boston attorney and outspoken critic of Christian Science.
December 16 Tuesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Isabel V. Lyon wrote for Sam to Frank Bliss.
“ I write at Mr. Clemens’s suggestion to ask if you will send me a list of his writings published by the American Publishing Co. Many letters come asking information about his books and the prices, and it will simplify matters greatly if you can send me such a list for reference” [MTP].
Marquis de Eguilles wrote from France to Sam—a short fan letter of appreciation [MTP].
December 17 Wednesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Frederick C. Harriott, and gave the letter to William Dean Howells, who somewhat softened the language, then sent it on to Harriott the same day.
December 18 Thursday – Frances Power Cobbe (1822-1904), Irish writer and suffragette, wrote from Bristol, England—a short, and mostly illegible note of appreciation to Twain [MTP]. Sam wrote on the env. “Preserve this (Frances power Cobb’s autograph.)” Two of Cobbe’s books are noted in Gribben, p. 149. Cobbe founded the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection. Her father banished her for rejecting her Calvinist upbringing.
December 19 Friday – Fatout lists an “unidentified dinner” speech in N.Y.C. for this date [MT Speaking 672].
December 20 Saturday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote per Isabel Lyon to Laurence Hutton.
I don’t lecture any more, otherwise I should say yes to that proposition, with pleasure. I never intend to stand on a platform again until the sheriff requires it.
December 21 Sunday – Sam also wrote a couple lines to Chatto & Windus: “My Xn Science man has backed out, and isn’t going to contribute to my book. I think he is right; it would offend his people, sure” [MTP].
December 22 Monday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Thomas Bailey Aldrich.
I know of the bereavement which has befallen your house, & I wish there was some way whereby a friend could assuage a friend’s pain when a sorrow smites him, so that I might help you now; but there is none, & I can only offer my sympathy, freely & from the heart.
December 23 Tuesday – Sam’s notebook: “Miss Burbank, 73d. (Clara will give me the address.) Dinner—7.30. / [Horiz. Line separator] / I ate that dinner to-night. By mistake I went down to eat it last night. Stayed all night at Mr. Rogers’s; meantime Jean was hit (with a chill, Clara was completing her watch in her mother’s room & there was no one able to force Jean to go to bed. [)] / As a result, she is pretty ill to-day. Fever & high temperature” [NB 45 TS 35].
December 24 Wednesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam replied to William Dean Howells’ Dec. 23 invitation for lunch at Moretti’s.
I’ll be there. Tell me who he is. [Henry Harland]
December 25 Thursday, Christmas – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Frank Bliss.
You needn’t hurry, beyond the usual—I’m not asking that—but in a week or so when your check is ready, send it. Clara & I are still on deck, but otherwise the house is a hospital, & the expenses phenomonal. There is plenty of money, but it is in sound investments, & I do not wish to disturb it unless I must.
Merry Christmas to you! [MTP].
Sam also wrote to Emilie R. Rogers (Mrs. H.H. Rogers).
December 26 Friday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Susan Crane.
Susy dear, I thank you ever so much for those cunning little conveniences. They will be ever so handy & useful.
December 27 Saturday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam began a letter to William Dean Howells that he finished Dec. 28.
December 28 Sunday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam finished his Dec. 27 letter to William Dean Howells.
In bed, 8 a.m., Sunday. Katy has just been in to say Jean’s temperature is down to 102.
10 a.m. It is now down to 101 by Clara’s report.
Noon. I am up & dressed, & have been aloft, but Jean could not be disturbed—she was inclined to sleep. I had a glimpse of her. She looks like a survivor of a forest-fire.
December 29 Monday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote a long letter to Susan Crane that he added a short pararaph to on Dec. 30.
December 30 Tuesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam was allowed to see Livy for nearly four minutes [Dec.31 to Twichell].
Sam also added a short pararaph to his Dec. 29 letter to Susan Crane.
“Dec. 30. 6 a.m—(which is about dawn.) I have been up to Jean’s room, & find all quiet there—Jean sleeping. Miss Tobin whispered, ‘She has had a splendid night.’ The doctor (& Clara) had put in an appearance a couple of times in the night & gone back to bed, finding things going well” [MTP].
December 31 Wednesday – Sam’s notebook: “Saw her for 5 minutes” [NB 45 TS 36].
In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote a long letter to Joe Twichell that he added to on Jan. 1, 1903. Sam headed the letter The Last day of a—in some respects—Tough Year being A.D. 1902”:
Riverdale – Lying to the Invalid – Jean to Old Point, Va. – Plasmon Concealments Writing Christian Science Articles – Queen of Frauds – Ordered to Italy “Sell that God damned House!”– Bronchitis Blues – Tarrytown Leased – Collier Offers Godalmighty Bissell Buys Hartford House – Measles! For Clara – Fairhaven Trip Long-Distance House-hunting – Major Pond Dies – Escape to Quarry Farm “A Dog’s Tale”– Yacht Races a Diversion – New Harper Contracts – Sailing For Italy Florence Villa di Quarto – Landlady from Hell – Livy’s Set-back
January – The North American Review included the second installment of Mark Twain’s series, “Christian Science II” (p.1-9) written in 1897-8 in Vienna. The installments ran monthly From Dec. 1902 through the Apr. 1903 issue. A book would result from these articles, though Harpers would delay it till 1907.
January 1 Thursday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam added to his long Dec. 31 letter to Joe Twichell:
Jan. 1’03. The doctor did not stay last night. Just as I was beginning to dress for dinner Livy’s nurse came for me, & I saw the patient 4 minutes. She was in great spirits—like 25 years ago.
She has sent me a New-Year greeting this morning, & has had a good night.
January 2 Friday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Emilie R. Rogers (Mrs. H.H. Rogers).
January 3 Saturday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote on the top of p. 114 from the Jan. 1903 issue of The Atlantic, “A Song Composed in a Dream” to Susan Crane: Saturday evening.
“We are all doing first-rate, Sue. I talked with Charley. / SLC” [MTP].
Sam also wrote to Joe Twichell on the bottom of Bowen’s Jan. 2 note, then adding more on the left margin on Jan. 4. Sam wrote to Joe of the proof:
January 4 Sunday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam added to the Jan. 3 note to Joe Twichell: “Jean & Livy doing finely. Jean no longer in danger” [MTP].
Sam then wrote to Herbert E. Bowen of Harper & Brothers.
It seems to a curious thing—to send me an uncorrected proof.
This has cost me 4 hours’ work—a corrected proof would have saved 3 of them.
January 5 Monday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote a note on the reverse side of a Christmas card by Henry W. and Nancy Lucy to Livy dated Dec. 24, 1902: “Mr. Lucy of ‘Punch.’ He is referring to ‘Amended Obituaries,’ Livy dear. I thought he & I invented it at Bryce’s (& I’m right about it, & he is wrong” [MTP].
Isabel V. Lyon wrote for Sam to Franklin G. Whitmore.