June 11 Wednesday – Sam wrote from the Edwards’ Hotel to Joaquin Miller (Cincinnatus Hiene (or Hiner) Miller) (1839/41-1913) in London. Miller had been active in the literary scene in the 1860s. His poetry made Miller a celebrity in England. Sam was unable to go with Miller on Sunday, June 15, as he had a previous engagement for dinner with George Washburn Smalley (1833-1916), the London correspondent for the New York Tribune. Sam reminded himself in a PS that he was to call on Miller at 4:45 PM Saturday (June 14), however, and that Miller was to call on Sam on Friday (June 13) and bring a friend. The three were then to go to meet Baron Houghton (Richard Monckton Milnes 1809-1885), the editor of Keats, and an early supporter of Swinburne [MTL 5: 376].

No doubt Sam attended the 5 PM dinner given by Lady Dilke and Kate Field that he accepted on June 9.

See June 24 entry for patent of Scrap Book. 1965 GSA letter shows this date.

George W. Smalley hand-delivered a note to Sam at the hotel:

Dear Mr. Clemens, / I don’t know how it happens that I have always missed the pleasure of meeting you. Pray don’t let it go on so. Will you do me the favour to dine with me on Sunday, the 15th at 7.30? Then I shall be sure that you are something more than a name[.] (Indeed I hear you have two names & I am not sure which you prefer. But come.) [MTPO].