March 30 Saturday – At supper party for Edwin Booth, held at Delmonico’s in New York, Sam gave a speech called “The Long Clam.” The New York Times, p.4 reported the event on Apr. 1. Many of Sam’s friends, associates and acquaintances attended.

THE BOOTH SUPPER

The table set in the great hall at Delmonico’s on Saturday night for the supper party given by Augustin Daly and Albert M. Palmer in honor of Edwin Booth was in the form of a star. At each of the five arms were seats for 15 gentlemen. At the apex of the northern arm sat Mr. Booth, between Mr. Daly and Mr. Palmer. Near them were Gen. Sherman, Lawrence Barrett, Gen. Horace Porter, W.J. Florence, Constant Coquelin, Thomas Bailey Aldrich, Horace Howard Furness, wisest and most amiable of Shakespearean scholars; George H. Boker, the Philadelphia poet; L. Clark Davis, ex-Judge Charles P. Daly, Parke Godwin, and S. L. Clemens. Among the actors present, besides those already named, were John Gilbert, John A. Lane, Ben G. Rogers, George Clarke, John Drew, Louis Massen, James Lewis, Herbert Kelcey, E.M. Holland, Alexander Salvini, Jean Coquelin, Edward Harrigan, Walden Ramsey, and Harry Edwards. Chauncey M. Depew, Edmund Charles Stedman, Frank Millet, J.S. Hartley, Augustus Saint Gaudens, Laurence Hutton, George Parsons Lathrop, Brander Matthews, John Foord, Dr. A. Ruppaner, Stephen H. Olin, Richard Watson Gilder, Daniel Frohman, Edgar Fawcett, Edmund C. Stanton, Arthur F. Bowers, Judge Joseph F. Daly, Marshall P. Wilder, P.T. Barlow, and A. Durand were also numbered in the 75.

The arms of the star radiated from a circular mass of roses, and flowers in rich profusion were banked in the middle of each of the five branches of the table. A band was stationed in the balcony. The supper began at midnight.

Sam’s speech may be found in Fatout, MT Speaking 241-3.