December 15 Monday – In Hartford Sam wrote to Andrew Chatto, his English publisher, asking him to “tackle with attention” Fred Hall’s idea. Sam wished him a Merry Christmas [MTP].

Sam also wrote to Hall, encouraging him to “go for the good Chatto with” his “scheme, which is a wise one.” He explained the IA book was for a nursemaid of Jean’s who was now with the Rev. R. Heber Newton family, so to check the directory and send the book there [MTP].

At noon Sam dropped into Paige’s workshop to monitor work on the “merest trifle” fix on the typesetter. James W. Paige and his assistant, Charles Ethan Davis, were “still tinkering,” and promised “one hour” more work [Dec. 20 notebook entry 3: 596].

Frederick J. Hall wrote to Sam. “Your favor received. The two cook books have been sent to Mrs Clemens and the Vol. 9 [LAL] to General Langdon” [MTP].