August 21 Sunday – In Lake George, New York, William Dean Howells wrote to Sam.

Geo. H. Yewell, the painter, has made a superb etching of the room where Grant died, and Mr. Drexel has written him the enclosed letter about it…. I’ve suggested to Mr. Yewell that C.L. Webster & Co., might like to take hold of it, and sell it by subscription in connection with Grant’s memoirs….If he happens not to be known by you, I can certify his worth and standing. He’s a great friend of Millet’s.

Howells also requested that the Library of Humor proofs be sent so he might write the introduction, and tempted Sam to visit him in Lake George, “the prettiest place in the world” [MTHL 2: 594-5].

Note: George Henry Yewell (1830-1923), famous portrait painter was also vacationing in Lake George; Mr. Drexel is “Probably Anthony J. Drexell (1826-1893) of Philadelphia, an international banker, philanthropist, and collector of paintings” [n2]. Drexel also was a partner of John Pierpont Morgan (1837-1913) and founder of Drexel University. Francis D. Millet was the long time friend of the Clemenses who did a remarkable portrait of Sam in 1876 (see MTDBD Vol. 1 entries on Millet).