June 22 Thursday – In London, England, Sam wrote to Arthur Spurgeon declining an invitation (unspecified; text not available) [MTP: MS: AAA Jan. 5, 1927].
Sam also inscribed a copy of More Tramps Abroad, [FE]: “If we try, we can easily learn to endure adversity.
Another man’s, I mean. / Mark Twain” [MTP].
June 23 Friday – The Clemens family had decided to go to Sanna, Sweden to pursue treatments for daughter Jean from famous osteopath, Jonas Henrick Kellgren
Sam purchased tickets on this day for the family to depart in a fortnight
Sam’s notebook: “Görtz [Goerz] the Spalding[s], 9 Harley Gardens SW” [NB 40 TS 56].
June 24 Saturday – Frank N. Doubleday and Edward W. Bok stopped by Sam’s hotel in the morning with a cable from J. Henry Harper wanting to publish a 75 cent edition of Tom Sawyer. He had no objections but referred him to H.H. Rogers [June 25 to Rogers; Aug. 3 to Rogers mentions Bok was along]. , At the Prince of Wales Hotel in London, England, Sam wrote to William Knight. (1837-1916).
June 25 Sunday – At the Prince of Wales Hotel in London, England, Sam wrote to H.H. Rogers, heading it “Prince of Wales Hell of a Hotel”:
June 26 Monday – Samuel E. Moffett for the N.Y. Journal wrote to Sam, enclosing a printed bio sketch of Mark Twain. Moffett apologized for the delay on revisions; some question had arisen as to the proper length. He discussed Twain’s ancestor research on Gregory Clement and on the Lambtons. Moffett felt the bio still seemed very “short and bald” and “a lot more personal details ought to be worked in, but Mr.
June 27 Tuesday – Sam’s notebook: “Dine with Mr. White (where?)” [NB 40 TS 57]. Note: likely Frank Marshall White, journalist.
Leila Gittings wrote from Upper Falls, Maryland to Livy, seeing by the papers that the Clemens family had left Vienna and were in London. Was that preliminary to returning to America? [MTP].
June 28 Wednesday – In London, England Sam wrote a PS to his telegram (not extant) to Mr. Massee (possibly George Edward Massee (1850-1917), principal assistant at Kew Gardens and internationally known scientist—specifically a mycologist and lichenologist—and President of the British Myological Society from 1850-1917) [MTP]. Note: this mis-dated in file as 1907; It may also be 1900.
June 29 Thursday – In London, Clara Clemens wrote for her father to Bram Stoker that the family’s plans had changed, and they were not able to make the trip back to America with the Stokers [MTP].
Sam’s notebook: “Thursday, New Vagabonds at King’s Hall, Holborn Restaurant, 7 for 7.30” [NB 40 TS 57]. Note: see below:
Fatout writes of Sam’s speech at the New Vagabonds Club, followed by some excerpts:
June 30 Friday – In London, Livy wrote for Sam to Andrew Chatto, asking details for a watch she’d rec’d and wanted to exchange for a fancier case. She also wanted to enclose a letter from Mr. Blair, which Sam wanted sent. Sam had been trying for two days to get down to see Chatto and expected to go in the morning, but thought Chatto might like to see the letter and consider it first [MTP].
Sam’s notebook: “Tea—Max O’Rell’s. Stanleys. 8 Acacia Road, N.W” [NB 40 TS 57].
July – Anne E. Keeling’s article, “American Humour: Mark Twain,” ran in the London Quarterly Review, p.147-62. Tenney: “(Source: Asselineau (1954), No. 18; reprinted in Anderson (1971), pp. 221-27.) Discusses the joking in IA, the irreverence in CY, the indictment of slavery in PW and FE, calling MT ‘this sturdy foe of oppression and injustice, this lover of the heroic and the magnanimous…who still continues to provide clean, wholesome food for laughter, under the familiar style of Mark Twain’” [30-1].
July 1 Saturday – In London, England, Sam replied to Francis H. Skrine (Skrine’s not extant), after a visit proved the Skrine’s were not home.
Alas, we shall then be far out on the briny deep, & between this & then I see no chance for us to get together, on account of interfering engagements; but we shall be back by October, & then we shan’t have any difficulty about managing it. We were hoping to catch you at home today & say good-bye, but luck was against us—you were out [MTP].
July 2 Sunday – Sam’s notebook: “Sun [July] 2—Sunday. Mrs. Aklom” [NB 40 TS 57]. )
The New York Times, p. 17 ran a notice about the special English edition of Mark Twain’s works:
LITERARY EXODUS FROM LONDON
Publishing Season is Over—New Edition of Mark Twain’s Works.
July 3 Monday – Paine writes of a switch in hats between Twain and Basil Wilberforce at T. Douglas Murray’s (1841-1911) luncheon this day (except that he confuses July 3 with the period shortly after the Clemenses arrived in London):
July 4 Tuesday – In London, England, Sam wrote to Mrs. William Manning, declining some invitation—it would “break my rule & I must not do it,” he wrote. He thanked her and Mr. Manning in Livy’s behalf and his own for their offers of hospitality [MTP].
July 5 Wednesday – At the Prince of Wales Hotel in London, England, Sam wrote to an unidentified man (likely a photographer) asking him not to “risk the photos by sending them here,” as he was leaving England for the summer. He directed they be sent to Chatto & Windus and gave their address [MTP].
July 6 Thursday – In London, England, Sam wrote to Edmund W. Gosse (1849-1928), English poet, essayist and art critic, about the Clemens family’s travel plans, and the difficulties of a visit anytime soon:
July 7 Friday – In London, England on letterhead with “Chelsea Embankment,” Sam wrote to Douglas B. Sladen that he wouldn’t see London before “autumn or the edge of winter,” and thanked the Authors Club for “the honor” which they offered him, and which he regretted he could not take advantage of.
July 8 Saturday – The family traveled on some four and a half hours by rail from Götenburg to Jönkoping; then three miles by two-horse landau to Sanna, Sweden. Sam later described Sanna:
Sanna consists of a half a dozen villas belonging to Kellgren—in these the patients live. It is on a vast blue lake, & at its back are the open fields. In the matter of brilliant skies, pure & bracing air, & intense quiet & reposefulness, of course the place is perfection.
July 9 Sunday
July 10 Monday – Sometime during their stay in Sanna, Sweden (through Sept 27 ), Sam wrote a postcard to Poultney Bigelow, who had encouraged them to take Jean to Sanna, where he had experienced a cure from dysentery.
“We are well satisfied, & very glad you put us up to it. / Hope you are all having a good time. Are you still as brisk & healthy as when I saw you last? / SLC” [MTP].
July 11 Tuesday – On July 18 Sam would write in his notebook that daughter Jean had taken a week of “Kellgren’s Movement Cure,” which puts her initial treatments to this day [NB 40 TS 57]. Note: On Sept. 15 he wrote to his nephew Moffett that Jean “began here on the 11th July…”
July 12 Wednesday – In Sanna, Sweden Sam wrote out his daily routine to daughter Clara, who had remained in London to continue her voice lessons: “Hell, July 12/99 / (Sanna Branch), Sweden”
This is the daily itinerary:
July 13 Thursday – In Sanna, Sweden Sam wrote to Laurence Hutton in London in care of Chatto & Windus.
So you sail Sept. 1st —and we shan’t get a glimpse of you two, for which we are very very sorry. We are here till October taking the Swedish movement-cure. I am taking it myself, for the mental & physical refreshment it furnishes, though there’s nothing the matter with me. We left Clara in London (c/o Chatto & Windus); she will sail for here July 28.
July 14 Friday – In Sanna, Sweden Sam wrote to Robert Lutz, sending him the finished biographical sketch which his nephew, Samuel E. Moffett had completed from Sam’s draft. Sam informed him it would be published in the 22-volume Uniform Edition of his works. “It is plenty long enough, & I shall be glad to see it take the place of the longer one you are now publishing” [MTP].
July 15 Saturday – In Sanna, Sweden Sam replied to Daniel Willard Fiske (incoming letter not extant).
Then inside of 3 weeks we shall see you! Good! God could not arrange it better. Except in one way; to reduce the 3 weeks to 3 days. That would increase my reverence & compel my praise.