April 17 Saturday – The Saturday Review ran a long, mixed critique of TA, finding praise and fault [Budd, Reviews 183-6].

Pamela Moffett wrote to Sam (postmarked Apr. 17), complimenting him on TA; noting that “Ma can’t read as it made her head hurt and they couldn’t read to her since she was hard of hearing.” Also, “Charley has had the clock fever,” buying and restoring old clocks to sell. Did Sam recall the clock at the Quarles farm? [MTP].

Orion Clemens wrote to his brother. “I send MS. by express to-day. I would be glad if you could soon find leisure to read and return with comments. I will send more next Saturday.” They’d read 190 pages in TA and thought it “very interesting” and that it would “take well among the Germans” [MTP].

Frederick Alexander Stokes (1857-1939) wrote thanks for Sam’s help on his book College Tramps: A Narrative of the Adventures of a Party of Yale Students during a Summer Vacation in Europe (1880). Neither Stokes’ initial request, mentioned below, or Twain’s reply, are extant.

Mr. S.L. Clemens, / Dear Sir. / It is possible that you may remember that you received, some time ago, a letter requesting your advice upon the subject of publishing a little book to be entitled “College Tramps.” You were so condescending as to notice the request, and to write quite a lengthy letter in return; but, before the kind advice contained in it could be acted upon, it had already been placed in the publishers’ hands, and has since been published. You have, doubtless, ere this, discovered that there is such a thing existing in this world as ingratitude; and I fear that you will consider yourself as having met with another instance of the same in my inflicting upon you, in return for your kindness and courtesy, a copy of my first-born, “College Tramps.” It has thus far met with an amount of success not yet great enough to enable me to decide that the literary world is my oyster, and that I must open it with my pen; but, for the present, I consider this book as but a fresh-water clam opened by the wayside. It has however made me very desirous of entering one of the New York publishing houses, and I am going to storm them soon. With many thanks for your kindness, and hoping that you may find time and inclination for the perusal of a few pages of the accompanying crude literary effort, I remain / Respectfully yours… [MTP]. Note: Sam did not often reply to requests for literary or publishing efforts, but was selective. Stokes is not in Gribben.

Juliet A.L. Toppan wrote from Chicago on Illinois Industrial School For Girls, to ask Clemens “for one or more of your works with autograph” for their grand Bazaar [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env., “Good gracious! / Not answered”