June 25 Wednesday – Sam and entourage moved to rooms at the Langham Hotel in Portland Place, where a billiards room was available [MTL 5: 372]. “It was a period of continuous honor and entertainment. If Mark Twain had been a lion on his first visit, he was little less than royalty now. His rooms at the Langham were like a court.” Among the esteemed pilgrims trudging to Sam’s rooms were: Anthony Trollope, Wilkie Collins (1824-1889), Sir John Everett Millais, Benjamin Disraeli, Lewis Carroll, Robert Browning, Ivan Turgenieff (Turgenev 1818-1883), Lord Houghton and Sir Charles Ivenworth Dilke (1843-1911). Sam also met Herbert Spencer at a dinner given by George Smalley, and Sir Arthur Helps at a luncheon [MTB 484-5; Willis 83]. Note: Paine indicates Sam met Lewis Carroll at this time [MTB 484], but Carroll’s diary pinpoints the meeting to July 26, 1879 [Green 382]. (See entry.)

Sam wrote from the Langham to Ellen D. Conway, wife of Moncure Conway:

“My wife likes Edwards’ Hotel; & so would I if I were dead; I would not desire a more tranquil & satisfactory tomb” [MTL 5: 388].

Sam also dictated two short notes through Samuel Thompson to R. Cowley-Squier, connected in some way with the London Examiner. Sam declined his “kind offers” but had no time to travel or visit Manchester. Sam also dictated a short note to Lewis Sergeant (1841-1902) and Charles E. Seth-Smith (1847-1894) [MTL 5: 388-90].