July 1 Saturday – In London, England, Sam replied to Francis H. Skrine (Skrine’s not extant), after a visit proved the Skrine’s were not home.

Alas, we shall then be far out on the briny deep, & between this & then I see no chance for us to get together, on account of interfering engagements; but we shall be back by October, & then we shan’t have any difficulty about managing it. We were hoping to catch you at home today & say good-bye, but luck was against us—you were out [MTP].

Sam also wrote an aphorism-inscription for Afsa Horner in an autograph album: “To Afsa Horner: / Always be good & dutiful when it is handy, & never tell a lie except when it will get somebody into trouble that deserves it. / Truly Yours / Mark Twain / July 1, 1899” [MTP].

Sam’s notebook: “Sat July 1—Saturday Ye Sette of Odd Volumes / Limmer’s Hotel Conduit st—dinner” [NB 40 TS 57]. See below.

Note: “Clemens attended one of the regular dinner meetings held by the Sette of Odd Volumes at Limmer’s Hotel in London. The gift volume [See July 4 and 5] which Manning presented to Clemens contains the inaugural address of Francis Elgar, fifteenth president, delivered on May 4, 1894” [Gribben 449].

Chatto & Windus’ financial statement of this date: £181.42.2 due to Clemens [1899 Financial file MTP].