February 3 Tuesday – On or about this day Livy left with Mrs. Beach to visit Susy Clemens, who came from Bryn Mawr to stay with them at the Continental Hotel in Philadelphia. A week later Sam was writing Howells about never separating himself from Livy again “in this foolish fashion” [Feb. 10 to Howells].

In Hartford Sam responded to Hall’s Feb. 2, calling his plan to pursue Henry M. Stanley for a book, “an excellent idea.”

You will find Major J.B. Pond at the Everett House, & he will give you a list of Stanley’s dates & engagements. If Stanley is too far away, you can write him [MTLTP 266]. Note: Pond was Stanley’s American tour manager.

Sam also wrote to Laurence Hutton:

Accept my very strongest thanks for the book [unspecified] — which could not have come more timely, shut up as I am this rainy morning [MTP].