November 10 Thursday – In Florence, Sam wrote a short note thanking Chatto & Windus for a copy of Finger Prints which just arrived. He would “devour it” [MTP]. Note: See Gribben, p.251. Francis Galton was the author (1892). Sam would use the new science in his detective tale, Pudd’nhead Wilson. See also June 25, 1895 and Feb. 23, 1897 entries relating to Galton’s book and its contribution.

This is the day Susy Clemens and the King sisters planned to see the new Opera in Florence [Nov. 5 to Clara Clemens].

Sam also wrote to daughter Clara:

I must write for mamma, who has been abed with one of those wasting dysenteric attacks a day or two & is not able to do it herself. I think she is about over it, but of course the weakness remains, & will for some days yet.

Poor Susy, she can’t go to the Mascagni Opening night at the Opera this evening — for two reasons: no places to be had, & the 6-franc boxes are put up to 120 francs. I am thinking of writing an opera myself — just an opening-night 120-franc opera, you know, not one of the staying kind. …

The Kings are going, to-morrow, & we shall miss them desperately. Theirs has been a delightful visit [MTP]

Sam also wrote of a cat he’d named “Michelangelo Buonarotti Botticelli,” though the cat only answered to the name when he wanted to, but he never wanted to.

This is also the earliest day given to a note Sam wrote to one-year-old Ruth Cleveland, oldest daughter of President Grover Cleveland, arguing that Captain Frank Mason, consul-general at Frankfurt not be replaced “just because he is a Republican and a Democrat wants his place.” This is given a date range to Dec. 31, 1892 [MTP].

Sam inscribed a copy of The American Claimant to Grace King: Miss Grace King / is requested to try to get as much out of this book as the undersigned has gotten out of her & her sister’s visit at Villa Viviani — which is requiring the impossible. / The Author. / Villa Viviani, / Settignano / Near Florence, Nov. 10/92 [MTP].