March 19 Saturday – Sam’s notebook: “Saturday, March 19. Susy’s birth-day. It was then that that dear life began which ended a year & seven months ago” [NB 40 TS 15].

The New York Times, p.BR185 reprinted an article from the London Academy.

Honor Be Unto Mark Twain.

From the London Academy.

Mark Twain’s success in carrying out the great project to which he dedicated himself on the failure of his business will be matter for satisfaction to all his very numerous friends. He has worked hard to amass the necessary funds, and has done so single-handed, and we are proud to congratulate him on a noble achievement. It will be remembered that early last year, when sick at heart and in poor health, Mark Twain accepted the offer of a public subscription which was made by a New York paper. But in the course of a few days that acceptance was revoked, and he determined that not from without but from within should the debt be paid. Honor be to him for such a decision.

Mark Twain has told us that his favorite motto is: “Be good, and you will be lonesome.” He must be very lonesome now [Note: Clemens never officially accepted the subscription, but simply allowed it for a time.]