October 18 Monday – In Hartford Sam wrote to Edward H. House, who evidently missed seeing Sam on the prior Tuesday trip to New York and had written asking questions (no recent letter from House is extant).
O yes, there was a Tuesday, but it failed to connect — as I explained to you.
No, sir, Stoddard didn’t borrow “The Brahman’s Son” from your story.
Sam told House to get an 1884 book entitled Stray Leaves from Strange Literatures, by Laficadio Hearn, J.R. Osgood publisher, and compare a “Bhuddist tale called ‘Yamarajah’…” with Stoddard’s poem “line by line — & be astonished!” [MTP]. Note: the actual title is Stray Leaves from Strange Literature; Stories Reconstructed from the Anvari-Soheïli, Baitál-Pachísí, Mahabharata, Pantchatantra-Gulistan, Talmud, Kalewala, Etc. ; the Buddhist tale: “Yamaraja” [Gribben 303].
Sam also wrote to William Smith, English author who, in August sent him a copy of his book Morley: Ancient and Modern (1886). The book is a detailed history of Morley (an English town between Leeds and Dewsbury). Starting with a short history of Yorkshire it progresses through the Roman period, the Domesday book, Poll Tax List etc. It gives social conditions and village life of the early times, with information on the Farnely Wood plot and the Morley Wapentake with its courts. Detailed information both on living conditions and individual people is included, with information on their amusements, religion, churches, chapels and working conditions for the 19th century. (See Gribben 650.)
I hold myself under great obligation to you for “Morley,” which I am reading with absorbing interest, as opportunity allows me a spare quarter-hour. I was aware that the first American patent on Lucifer matches was taken out by a Hartford man (about 1835), & I now perceive that his predecessor (1829?) was a neighbor of yours. Here’s a touch that makes us kin, you see! We steal each other’s books, & patents, & one thing or another, & are ever so sociable & friendly [MTP].
Note: Lucifer matches were first sold under that name in 1829 by British chemist Samuel Jones. Demand was high and others soon followed his example. During 1832 a new friction match was introduced from the continent called the Congreve, using phosphorous and soon replaced the Lucifer. After about 1850 such matches were called “Strike Anywhere Matches.” Lucifer matches, like later varieties before safety matches in 1855, did not require a special striking strip for lighting. And, as we all know, Mark Twain was matchless.
Sam also told Smith about a history of Hartford and the county just published. Note: This was the two-volume Memorial History of Hartford County, Connecticut, edited by: James Hammond Trumbull LL.D. and published by Edward L. Osgood (1886.) According to Gribben the preface is dated June 1886. During this month Sam’s notebook contains an entry, “Hist Hartford.”
Sam also wrote to Annie Moffett Webster (Mrs. Charles Webster), asking if she and her husband would:
…take Ella Lampton off my hands? I have spent something over $300 on her in recent years, & have also given a small portion of time & “influence” toward trying to help her & Kate. I am tired of it. Tired of it merely because I can’t accomplish any real help…& therefore I would not know where to turn to find work for Kate.
Sam suggested that Charles Webster might approach Roswell Smith or Richard Watson Gilder of the Century to find a clerkship for Kate Lampton, Ella’s daughter. He also related the “stir” that the Pope’s rosary created in the household.
I would not take a thousand dollars for it — & I guess your aunt Livy’s price would run higher still. We have three excellent girls in the house, & I believe they value the telling their beads on that rosary than they would the handling government bonds that fell in their laps as a free gift [MTP]. Note: the Websters had brought back a rosary blessed by the Pope as a gift.
Annie E. Trumbull (1857-1949) wrote asking if the paper he gave on Oct. 11 to the Monday Evening Club could also be presented and discussed at the Saturday Morning Club (Young Ladies) on either Nov. 6 or Dec 4 [MTP].