February 23 Monday – Mary Mapes Dodge invited Sam and Livy to dinner at her New York City home. Since Livy was ill and in bed, the invitation was likely declined [MTNJ 3: 603n100; Feb 24 to Howells].

Arthur Duffuer in Furtwangen, Black Forest, Germany wrote a short note to Sam — in German, writing he would be “fortunate to own a few lines written by your hand” [MTP]. Note: Thanks to Holger Kersten for the translation.

Henry C. Robinson wrote to Sam: “This note just came in. I suspect C.H.C.” (Charles H. Clark) The note: “The Farmers.” IN WAR THEY / STOOD / AND FIRED THE SHOT HEARD ‘ROUND THE WORLD / IN PEACE THEY / STAND / AND FIRE THE COWTIRD ‘ROUND THE LAND. [MTP].