December 20 Tuesday – Sam wrote from Hartford to his sister Pamela Moffett.
Merry Christmas to you all. I enclose $25. Livy & I desire you to Christmasize it for yourself & Ma. We would do it ourselves, but we are at a loss to select.
Charley is here to-night, & is well. All our tribe are well & flourishing. I go to Philadelphia tomorrow—the last banquet I’m going to attend this year, anyway [MTBus 180].
Sam also wrote to Miss Clara Trowbridge (possibly the daughter of John T. Trowbridge, journalist and author, and one of the first editors of St. Nicholas, an illustrated magazine for children), who evidently sought Sam’s biographical information.
“Your note is received just as I am taking the south-bound train—& time & the train wait for no man, you will pardon my almost telegram-ic abruptness & brevity.” Sam enclosed a sketch from “an English biographical cyclopedia” [MTP].
Clemens also inscribed P&P to Nathaniel J. Burton: [MTP].
Sam inscribed P&P to Mary Mason Fairbanks: “With the love of her good & dutiful adopted son / The Author / Hartford, Dec. 20, 1881” [MTP].
Sam also inscribed P&P to Rev. Edwin P. Parker “To: Rev. D.E.P. Parker / With the warmest regards of / The Author / Hartford, Dec. 20, 1881” [MTP].
Sam also inscribed P&P to Clara Spaulding: “To Miss Clara L. Spaulding, Elmira, N.Y. With more than cousinful, & almost unclesome, affection of the Author. Hartford, Dec. 20, 1881” [MTP].
Sam also inscribed a presentation copy of P&P to Charles W. Stoddard: “With the love of The Author. Hartford. Dec. 20, 1881” [MTP].
Sam also inscribed a presentation copy of P&P to Robert J Burdette: “To / Robert J. Burdette, / Burlington Iowa. With the Kindest regards of The Author. Hartford Dec. 20, 1881” [McBride 71].
William Murray (1834-1923) wrote from Hamilton, Ontario to “The Illustrious ‘Mark Twain’”:
If you will allow me the privileges of “the season” to cover what at any other time might well be considered a decided liberty in a stranger and “foreigner,” I will ask you accept the annexed very humble Salutation [poem enclosed praising Twain]….
However much you may have been (innocently) “abroad” on the “domicile” question, you were certainly very much “at home” in your glorious speech delivered at Montreal banquet, so deservedly given in your honor: which speech, moreover, made all Canada more than ever at home with you when devoured with our breakfasts all over the land next morning— / With much respect … [MTP]. Note: Murray took the handle “The Bard of Hamilton,” and sent praising poetry to several public men. The banquet Murray refers to was on Dec. 8, 1881 at the Hotel Windsor in Montreal.
Hubbard & Farmer bankers & brokers wrote acknowledging receipt of $2,000 [MTP].