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.

July 14 Sunday – Sam and Ashcroft were en route to New York on the S.S. Minnetonka. This from a Mark Twain dispatch to the NY Times from London, July 17: “Left the Channel Sunday at 1:50 in doubtful weather and sighted the Scilly Islands ten miles off. At 6 o’clock ran into a dense fog, which broke into patches during the night” [July 18, p.4, “From Twain by Wireless”].

Harry E. Brittain wrote from Westminster to send Sam a photo that appeared in the Sphere; he asked Ashcroft if he could obtain Sam’s autograph on the photo [MTP].

July 13 Saturday – The Pall Mall Gazette, announced the leaving of Mark Twain.

July 12 Friday – At Brown’s Hotel in London Sam wrote to daughter Clara, a letter which reveals his activities this final day in England:

Clärchen dear, we sail tomorrow in the Minnetonka (I think.) 

We are due to arrive in 8 or 9 days.

I have been most mannerly & etiquetical. I have returned every call—card-calls by card, delivered by myself; personal calls in person.

July 11 Thursday – Ashcroft’s notes: “Returned to London with Tay Pay. Calls in the afternoon” [MTB 1399].

In Liverpool, England Sam sent a telegram to Henry Rawcliffe Kirkland in West Kirby, England:

“Very very sorry not to have seen you please accept my cordial thanks for your kind letter and my hearty wish for renewed health and strength for you / Mark Twain” [MTP].