December 16 Tuesday – Sam gave his “Roughing It on the Silver Frontier” lecture at the Queen’s Concert Rooms, London [MTPO].

Sam dictated a short note through Stoddard to John Colburne, thanking him for his honorary membership in the Temple Club, a new group dedicated to a free and social exchange of ideas on art, literature and science. Tom Hood was a member and Moncure Conway was about to join [MTL 5: 520].

After the lecture Sam wrote to Livy.

Last night a portly lady very richly dressed, sat in the second row & laughed as you never saw any creature laugh before except Rev. Mr. Burton—the tears streamed down her cheeks all the time. Tonight a young English girl sat in the same row, & it seemed to me that she would simply go into convulsions. Bully audiences, these [MTL 5: 521]. Note: Rev. Nathaniel J. Burton was a member of Hartford’s Monday Evening Club.

A bill was paid to L. Daniels for $15.20 for goods (illegible) [MTP].

Alfred Lord Tennyson wrote: “Dear Sir, / I saw some of your countrymen last Sunday, who spoke so highly of your Lectures, that I longed to come & hear you; but whether I come or not I am equally beholden to you for your kindness. / Yours with all thanks / A Tennyson” [MTPO].