May 1 Friday – Sam spoke at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, for their Founder’s Day, reading the popular “Trying Situation” and “Golden Arm” [Fatout, MT Speaking 656].
From Susy’s unfinished biography (her spelling):
The next morning we rose early, took our breakfast and took an early train to Pougkeepsie. We had a very pleasant journey to Poughkeepsie. The Hudson was magnificent—shrouded with beautiful mist. When we arrived at Poughkeepsie it was raining quite hard….It was a long drive from the station to Vasser College and papa and I had a nice long time to discuss and laugh over German profanity. [After being made to wait ]. At last we were called to dinner, and I went down without papa as he never eats anything in the middle of the day….After dinner I went around the College with the young ladies and papa stayed in his room and smoked. When it was supper time papa went down and ate supper with us and we had a very delightful supper.
Papa read in the chapell. It was the first time I had ever heard him read in my life—that is in public…I enjoyed the evening inexpressibly much…After papa had finished reading we all went down to the collation in the dining-room, and after that there was dancing and singing. Then the guests went away and papa and I went to bed [Salsbury 199-200; MTA 2: 170-1].
From Sam’s notebook:
60,000 sets of Gen. Grant’s book (or 120,000 single vols) I am to publish next December, are already ordered by a region comprising one-fourth of the territory lying between Canada & Mason & Dixon’s line, & the Mississippi river & the Atlantic Ocean. At this rate, the rest of that territory will take 180,000 sets more—240,000 sets in all, or 480,000 single volumes. The vast West, & the body of Southern States, ought to take, together, 120,000 sets, perhaps—say 600,000 single volumes. If these chickens really hatch out according to my count, Gen. Grant’s royalties will amount to $420,000, & will make the larges single check ever paid an author in the world’s history….If I pay the General in silver coin (at $12 per pound) it will weigh 17 tons [MTNJ 3: 141-2].