November 24 Wednesday – Sam’s notebook:

Nov. 24. Dined again with the Duc de Frias, one of the Secretaries of the Spanish Legation. Speaks English like a native. Present, Clark & —— of the English Legation, & the Prince of Thurn & Taxis. Fine men, all of them. The talk was of books altogether. A pleasant evening. The Prince speaks English nearly perfectly, & is a fine man & worthy representative of that ancient house [NB 42 TS 47-8]. Note: Duke of Frias at this time wa s Bernardino Fernández de Velasco y Roser Balfe Jasper (1866-1916). Albert I, the eighth Prince of Thurn und Taxis (1867-1952). See May 26, 1899, when the Clemenses were guests of the Prince.

Nov. 24. Two rows in the Reichrath this afternoon. There were hammerings with fists, chokings, threatenings with chairs, a wound made with a penknife. A knife was drawn on the President Abrahamovich [sic Abrahamowicz] . The sitting was twice closed in tumult & disorder, & the President left the Chair. The second time he closed the sitting till further (written) notice [ibid.].

Gurin Eugenbauch wrote a picture postcard from Austria asking for an autograph [MTP].