August 11 Sunday – Sam wrote from New Saybrook to Orion Clemens, giving Aug. 21 as his sailing date to England, on what Joseph L. Blamire called “The Crack Steamer of the Cunard Line,” the Scotia. While lying around Saybrook, Sam had formulated his idea for a better scrapbook, and sent details and a drawing to his brother to keep as proof of the date of invention. Orion had been out of work and Sam had agreed to help him underwrite a new career.

“I’ll put it [scrapbook idea] into Dan Slote’s hands & tell him he must send you all over America to urge its use upon stationers & booksellers—so don’t buy into a newspaper. The name of this thing is “Mark Twain’s Self-Pasting Scrap-book.’ ”

Sam also wrote to Mary Mason Fairbanks of his travel plans.

“Mrs. Langdon will reach here in a day or two, & she & Livy will remain till cool weather—but I will sail in the Scotia, Aug. 21 for Europe—England, rather—to be gone several months. If I find I am to be away very long, shall return by & by & take Livy over. I confine myself to England & Scotland” [MTL 5: 146]