December 10 Wednesday – Sam gave his “Roughing It on the Silver Frontier” lecture at the Queen’s Concert Rooms, London [MTPO]. Sam wrote to Moncure Conway, responding to a letter (see below), congratulating Sam on the “Roughing It” lecture. Sam offered to trade books—The Gilded Age for Conway’s new book on scriptures, which was to be released within a few weeks [MTL 5: 502].
Sam sent a humorous letter to the editor for the London Morning Post that was published the next day. Sam was afraid, he said, of inviting some “great member of the Government to give distinction to my entertainment,” because if the great busy personage got up and left half way through the lecture, it would “seriously embarrass” him. To remedy this, Sam had applied to “a party at the East-end who is in the same line of business as Madame Tussaud” –in other words, a wax museum. Sam wanted to announce that King Henry VIII, William the Conqueror, Moses & Aaron—etc., would be at his lectures on succeeding nights, and that he could not be embarrassed because they would not leave during the lecture. The letter got zanier from there, by a porter falling, the statues falling apart, etc. [MTL 5: 503]. It appeared in the Post on Dec. 12 [Fatout, MT Speaks 85].
Sam also dictated a letter through Charles Stoddard to John L. Toole, who was appearing in a comedy at London’s Gaiety Theatre and was planning an American tour. Evidently, Toole had asked Sam’s help or advice on the tour. Sam suggested he give Toole’s manager, George Loveday, a letter of introduction to Samuel R. Glenn of the New York Herald [MTL 5: 505]. (See Sept. 21, 1872 entry.) Lorch says Sam paid Stoddard “fifteen dollars a week and board and lodging to sit up nights with him and dissipate” [147].
Clemens also dictated a letter to Henry Lee.
My dear Lee: / I wish I could go with you but I am going to be situated that I can’t. I have several engagements right along in the neighborhood of that evening, & they are all that I dare take.
I am getting so worn & fagged that I have an actual dread of meeting & talking with people that I have to keep up my end of the conversation with.
You know how it is old fellow. I’ve given the order for the tickets Friday evening & shall be glad to see your face there. / Ys Ever… [MTP].
Sam also accepted a dinner invitation from the Lord Mayor, Andrew Lusk (1810–1909), through his secretary John R. Vine. Sam’s acceptance is not extant but referred to in Vine’s reply of Dec. 11.
Moncure Conway wrote to Sam.
My dear Clemens, /I would have liked much to have wrung your hand on Monday evening for that admirable speech of yours, but having a bonnetless lady along could not manage it. It (the lecture) is even better than the Sandwich one, and that is saying a great deal. Your audience was limited by Sir Sam Baker, who was to be welcomed that night by the Prince, but I have no doubt your lecture will be a favourite with the public—especially as the Baker and Tichborne affairs prevented the papers publishing all your best plums.
—I am under the most terrible persecution from printers and have been ever since your arrival; but my big book will be out this week; the dumb demon will be exorcised; I shall be a freeman. And when free it cannot be long before I get hold of S. L. C.
Meanwhile Mrs. Conway sends her thanks for the very pleasant note she has recd. from Mrs. Clemens; & hopes that after your lecture Monday you will be able to call in at the party given that night close to the Hanover Sq. rooms,—whereof a certain green ticket inviting you to a Club will inform you more particularly It has been sent you. / Ever yours gratefully /M D Conway / [MTPO].