January 28 Saturday – In Florence, Sam wrote a short note to Andrew Carnegie, and enclosed it in a letter to Frederick J. Hall:

Won’t you let me introduce to you my partner, Mr. F.J. Hall — & won’t you let him submit a project of mine to you & see what you think of it? [MTP]. Note: likely the desire to unload LAL.

To Hall:

I want to throw out a suggestion and see what you think of it. We have a good start, and solid ground under us; we have a valuable reputation; our business-organization is practical, sound and well devised; our publications are of a respect-worthy character and a money-breeding species. Now then I think that the association with us of some one of great name and with capital would give our business a prodigious impetus — that phrase is not too strong.

Note: Sam no doubt knew he was vastly overstating his case, though the need for capital was pressing. Sam wanted Hall to put the case for purchase of an interest in the company before Carnegie — at least he might gain some useful suggestions, if not an interest to purchase [MTLTP 334].

Sam wrote a second letter to Hall, discussing how best to approach Carnegie, then telling Hall to use “your own method; any you prefer.” He reported progress of 1,800 MS pages on PW “since the 5th of last August.” He enclosed a letter from a stranger seeking Sam’s help for “opera privileges” — why should he help? The man might just go sell such privileges to adapt one of Sam’s books into an opera.

Suppose you tell this man he can have a year’s permission for a tenth of his royalty…This man wants my help. It’s out of the question — I am too busy [MTLTP 335-6]. Note: notes in this source: “it is apparent that someone wanted MT’s assistance in adapting one of his books” [n4].