May – William Dean Howells ran a very favorable review of A Tramp Abroad in the May issue of the Atlantic Monthly. Also, Sam’s “Speech at the Holmes Breakfast” ran in a supplement.

His opinions are no longer the opinions of the Western American newly amused and disgusted at the European difference, but the Western American’s impressions on being a second time confronted with the things he has had time to think over. This is the serious undercurrent of the book… [Wells 23].

During May, Sam ordered 100 “Rosa Concha” cigars for $12 from James Lidgerwood & Co., a New York outfit specializing in imported delicacies. In spite of Sam’s outspoken preference for cheap cigars, Sam apparently liked these at a price not cheap for the times [MTNJ 2: 373n56].