Day By Day: 1903

Riverdale – Lying to the Invalid – Jean to Old Point, Va. – Plasmon Concealments Writing Christian Science Articles – Queen of Frauds – Ordered to Italy “Sell that God damned House!”– Bronchitis Blues – Tarrytown Leased – Collier Offers Godalmighty Bissell Buys Hartford House – Measles! For Clara – Fairhaven Trip Long-Distance House-hunting – Major Pond Dies – Escape to Quarry Farm “A Dog’s Tale”– Yacht Races a Diversion – New Harper Contracts – Sailing For Italy Florence Villa di Quarto – Landlady from Hell – Livy’s Set-back

December 1902

December – The North American Review included the first installment of Mark Twain’s “Christian Science” (p.756-68) series written in 1897-8 in Vienna. The installments ran monthly through the Apr. 1903 issue. A book would result from these articles, though Harpers would delay it till 1907.

June 1902

June – Sometime during the month Sam inscribed two photographs to Katharine Boland Clemens:“with the love of her cousin,” and “with the love and affection of her cousin” [MTP]. Note: Katharine married Sam’s cousin James Ross Clemens.

Sam also wrote an inscription to John Garth. “In reverent memory of John Garth, and in unbroken friendship of 55 years, June, 1902” [MTP].

Day By Day: 1902

Small & Maynard Scheme – Oesophogus:“It is a joke & you are an ignoramous!” Juggernaut Club – Double Barrelled – Christian Science Humbug – West Indies Cruise - Charleston Fair Resembled a Funeral – Tarrytown Bargain – Defense of Funston Clara’s Escape – Pallbearer for Stockton – Hannibal Revisited – LL.D. - Piloting & Christening – York Harbor & “The Pines” – Huck on Stage – Livy’s Crisis Barred from the Sickroom – Omaha & Denver Ban Huck – Invalid Car to Riverdale Birthday Bash: “I cannot make a good mouth” – Reed’s Last Speech

October 1901

October – Sam inscribed a copy of Memoirs of Samuel Pepys for Susan Crane: “Stolen from / Mrs. Susan L. Crane / by/ her most loving & almost only brother-in-law / SL. Clemens / Riverdale, October, 1901” [MTP].

Sam also inscribed No. 15 of Chatto & Windus’ edition of his works to: John Y. MacAlister: “To J.Y.W. MacAlister with the very best regards of the Author. Riverdale, New York City. Oct. 1901” [MTP: American Art Assoc. catalogs, Jan. 4, 1928, Item 91].

June 1901

June – On a Tuesday, from 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to Joe Twichell.

Well, it is funny. The country’s political morals & ideals have sunk pretty nearly to zero in the past two years, but I had not suspected that anybody had dropped to the point of thinking the clergy bribable. Seriously, it is an astonisher. Could it have happened 20 years ago? No, it couldn’t. I don’t know but that this is zero.

Day By Day: 1901

Another Lawsuit – Anti -Imperialist, Anti-Doughnut – Sitting in Darkness “Women Should Vote”– Clara’s Washington Debut – Speeching & Feeding Demonizing Missionaries – Albany for Osteopaths – Witness for Kipling - “The Lair” Repose at Saranac Lake – Old Debts Never Die – Pallbearer for J.D.F. Slee Kanawha Cruise to St. Johns – Lyncherdom & Double-Barrelled – America’s Cup Acorns & Fusionists – Yale Gives Litt. D. – Suing Newbegin Co.

November 1900

November – In New York City, Sam inscribed a copy of Mark Twain’s (Burlesque) Autobiography and First Romance to: Ernest D. North: “E.D. North, Esq. Mark Twain November, 1900” [MTP: Parke-Bernet Galleries catalog, Oct. 27, 1953, No. 1458, Item 173].

September 1900

September – Review of Reviews (London) anonymously reviewed The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg, p.398. Mostly extracts [Tenney 32].

J.E. Hodder Williams’ article, “Mark Twain” ran in Bookman (London) p.169-74. Tenney: “A very general sketch of MT’s life and works, providing no new information and very little critical comment.”

July 1900

July – In London, England Sam inscribed a copy of Stories from Old Fashioned Children’s books, etc. to Percy Spalding: “To / Mr. Spalding / with the kindest regards of / Mark Twain / July 1900” [MTP]. Note: in another hand the book bears this inscription: “To Mark Twain / from And: W. Tuer / with admiration & apologies./ p. XVI Intro: / Nov. 1899” [MTP]. Note: it appears this book was originally inscribed to Sam by Andrew W. Tuer, the author.

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