March 9 Friday – Sam wrote from Hartford responding to English writer George MacDonald’s letter suggesting a collaborative scheme for protecting against literary piracy. If Sam would write a few short paragraphs for MacDonald’s forthcoming novel then both writers’ names would guarantee copyrights in both countries. Sam politely offered the idea would make sense only if each could do half; but he had no time for such a team effort. He again promised to send a copy of LM when it came out [Lindskoog 28]. Note: This was the second or third time MacDonald sought to collaborate with Sam.

Sam also a short wrote to Charles Webster about J.W. Bouton and the Portfolio matter (see Feb. 22 entry). He also wrote about the house remodel. Sam asked how long Dion Boucicault (1820?-1890) the Anglo-Irish dramatist would be in New York and what was his address? Horace (Harry) Wall might tell Webster, Sam added.

In Mark Twain Businessman, Samuel Webster (son of Charles) notes the mention of Dion Boucicault is significant due to Sam’s desire to write another play [212].

Sam also wrote of big plans to George W. Cable, from a discussion the night before with Warner:

Our idea is thus: That we secure a nice little hall here—Unity Hall—& trot you out before an appreciative little audience—not for pecuniary profit for you, & yet not at any expense to you—but simply for the attainment of these important objects, viz:

      1. That you may try your lecture;

      2. That you may try your lecture-wings;

      3. That you may have the right sort of newspaper attention; and

      4. That the total result shall be a valuable advertisement.

Sam suggested a title for the lecture and needed a date at least two weeks off they could work around a few days either way, in case the halls were already spoken for. “Give us a date,” he wrote, “Then Warner & I will sail in!” [MTP].

Sam also telegraphed James B. Pond in Baltimore, adding a postscript to the day’s letter for George W. Cable—select a date later than Mar. 26 to give him and Warner enough planning time to promote the trial lecture [MTP].

Thomas Bailey Aldrich wrote a short note from Boston: “Don’t you want to write two or three Atlantic pages for the Club about Wiggins? You could make it immensely funny” [MTP].

John Michels wrote from NYC thanking him for his note declining to be involved in a new newspaper. He wrote that Robert Underwood Johnson would be the manager and find some capital. “Would you give your name as Editor of the paper and send something weekly if 25 per cent of the profits are guaranteed to you…” [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env., “Proposition / Decline”