July 24 Wednesday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: The King is lonely and so we make calls in the afternoons, but mostly people are out. We did see Mrs. Davies and Mrs. Ogden who gave us iced coffee and the King sat on their beautiful terrace and told about the Punch Dinner and the King’s Garden Party, and those 2 ladies were very sweet and worshipful, Mrs. Davies was a little flustered when she glanced up at her window to see her undershirt hung on some kind of a wire and swinging cheerfully at us [MTP 86].

July 23 Tuesday – In Tuxedo Park, N.Y. Sam wrote to Dorothy Butes at the Hotel Webster.

Your letter has arrived to night. Tried to telephone you but you are out. To-day mailed letter to you in New Hampshire. I have engagement here tomorrow or would go and see you. Please telephone me here first thing in the morning. Call 113 Tuxedo. I am unspeakably sorry you are going without seeing you. If I had known you were in town I would have called last night [MTAq 46].

July 22 Monday – On the S.S. Minnetonka en route to New York City, Sam wrote an aphorism for Robert M. Curtis: “Truth is the most valuable thing we have. Let us economise it. / Truly Yours / Mark Twain / July 22/07.” [MTP].

The Minnetonka reached New York in the afternoon. The New York Times reported his arrival:

MARK TWAIN HOME IN GOOD HUMOR

Had Dinner with the King and Is Sure That the King Enjoyed It.

——— ——— ———

HE’S DR. CLEMENS, PLEASE

July 21 Sunday – Sam and Ashcroft were en route to New York on the S.S. Minnetonka.

London Evening World sent a telegram to Sam: “How do you feel approaching the land of the free after your pleasant experience with royalty and the nobility   please answer our expense” [MTP].

Sydney Layland wrote from the S.S. Minnetonka at sea to thank Sam for his book and program with signature [MTP].

July 20 Saturday – Sam and Ashcroft were en route to New York on the S.S. Minnetonka. The traditional last night at sea benefit program was held for the Seaman’s fund, though when it fell on a Sunday such programs were likely moved to Saturday. Fatout gives this day for the program and concert and writes that Sam spoke for an hour, including the “sock-hunting” story [MT Speaking 678]. Dorothy Quick had given her “permission” as Mark Twain’s “business manager” for him to take part (see July 16 from Cooley).  

July 19 Friday – Sam and Ashcroft were en route to New York on the S.S. Minnetonka.

July 18 Thursday – Sam and Ashcroft were en route to New York on the S.S. Minnetonka. Sam inscribed a first English edition copy of AC: “Truly Yours / SL. Clemens / (Mark Twain) / July 18/07” [Christie’s London, 1 June 2009, Lot 203, Sale 5822]. Note: at an angle under Sam’s inscription are three more signatures: Mrs. J. Ian Ansdsale, Josephine Watts, and Herbert Percy, likely shipmates on the voyage over.

July 17 Wednesday – Sam and Ashcroft were en route to New York on the S.S. Minnetonka. Sam came down with another case of bronchitis on this day [July 29 to Rogers].  

John Briggs, Hannibal boyhood pal, died near New London, Mo. (1837-1907) see entries Vol 1.

July 16 Tuesday – Sam and Ashcroft were en route to New York on the S.S. Minnetonka.

Cooley writes of the time aboard ship and of a new acquaintance made with one of the younger of 129 passengers during the voyage, likely early on:

July 15 Monday – Sam and Ashcroft were en route to New York on the S.S. Minnetonka. The ship struck a small French bark, the Sterling on this day. New York Tribune, July 20, p.7:

Steamer Minnetonka, at sea, July 20.