July 4 Tuesday – In London, England, Sam wrote to Mrs. William Manning, declining some invitation—it would “break my rule & I must not do it,” he wrote. He thanked her and Mr. Manning in Livy’s behalf and his own for their offers of hospitality [MTP].

A series of photographs of Mark Twain were done by J. Russell & Sons, London photographers [MTP photo binders]. Note: the Russells had a long history of photography at various locations with several branches in England, and were known for photographs of royalty and famous persons. James Russell Sr. (1809-1899) died in Sept..

Manning inscribed a copy of his book, The Year -Boke of the Odd Volumes: An Annual Record of the Transactions of the Sette. Seventh Year 1894-95 (London, privately printed 1897): “To Mr. Samuel L. Clemens / with the best regards / of the compiler, / W. Manning / O.V. Seer. / 21 Radcliffe Gardens / London S.W. / July 4, 1899” [Gribben 449]. Note: It’s likely this book came with the above invitation; see July 5 to Manning.

Sam’s notebook: “Tues [July] 4 Hotel Cecil (Tuesday)” [NB 40 TS 57].

Sam gave a speech at the Hotel Cecil for the American Society Dinner. Fatout writes:

“Americans in London celebrated the Fourth of July with proper pride, though without much offensive flag-waving or making the eagle scream. The veteran trio of Ambassador Choate, Senator Depew, and Mark Twain were more conciliatory than boastful” [MT Speaking 333]. Note: it at this reception that Booker  Washington met Mark Twain [MTA 2:2; AMT 1: 572]. See Tenney 33.

Excerpts from Sam’s speech:

I noticed in Ambassador Choate’s speech that he said: “You may be Americans or Englishmen, but you cannot be both at the same time.” You responded by applause.

Consider the effect of a short residence here. I find the Ambassador rises first to speak to a toast, followed by a Senator, and I come third. What a subtle tribute that to monarchical influence of the country when you place rank above respectability!

…

The business aspect of the Fourth of July is not perfect as it stands. See what it costs us every year with loss of life, the crippling of thousands with its fireworks, and the burning down of property. It is not only sacred to patriotism and universal freedom, but to the surgeon, the undertaker, the insurance offices—and they are working it for all its worth.

I am pleased to see that we have a cessation of war for the time. This coming from me, a soldier, you will appreciate. I was a soldier in the Southern war for two weeks, and when gentlemen get up to speak of the great deeds our army and navy have recently done, why, it goes all through me and fires up the old war spirit.

I had in my first engagement three horses shot under me. The next shots went over my head, the next hit me in the back. Then I retired to meet an engagement.

I thank you, gentlemen, for making even a slight reference to the war profession, in which I distinguished myself, short as my career was [333-4]. Note: the NY Times reported on July 9, p.17 that “Mark Twains speech provoked much laughter.”

Note: In his July 5 to Skrine, Sam mentioned sitting next to General Sir Henry Brackenbury (1837-1914) at this dinner. Brackenbury was a distinguished British Army officer who authored several books. At this time he was Director-General of Ordnance. Note: Joseph Hodges Choate (1832-1917), American diplomat and attorney, US Ambassador to England (1899-1905).