December 24, 1905 Sunday

scott 18 August 2022
December 24 Sunday – At 21 Fifth Ave., N.Y. Sam wrote to William Robertson Coe (1869- 1955), son-in-law to H.H. Rogers.

I have sampled the Cabañas, & they are fit for the Gods (who will not get a dam one of them.) May you live long & continue to prosper; & Mrs. Coe the same.

December 23, 1905 Saturday

scott 18 August 2022
December 23 Saturday – In N.Y.C. Isabel V. Lyon replied for Sam to Robert K. Mackey. “M . Clemens wishes me to thank you for your kind wishes and he directs me to return herewith the autographed speech. May I also express my thanks for your kind message to me” [MTP].

December 22, 1905 Friday

scott 18 August 2022

December 22 Friday – In N.Y.C. Isabel V. Lyon replied for Sam to Robert K. Mackey’s Dec. 20 request for an autograph on a newspaper speech. “Cut out the speech and send it, not the entire newspaper” [MTP]. 

Mrs. Abigail M. Roach wrote to Sam [MTP]. On or just after this date Sam sent her the form letter for the occasion of his 70th, adding a short paragraph: 

December 21, 1905 Thursday

scott 18 August 2022

December 21 Thursday – Mark Twain was the guest of honor at the Aldine Association dinner given by the Society of Illustrators. The New York Times, Dec. 22, p. 9 reported on the event:    

JOAN OF ARC APPEARS TO STARTLE MARK TWAIN

Surprise Prepared for Him by Society of Illustrators.

THEIR GUEST AT DINNER

December 19, 1905 Tuesday

scott 18 August 2022
December 19 Tuesday – Isabel Lyon’s journal # 2: “Dinner engagement / Miss Winifred Holt / 44 East 78th Street. / Dentist Dr. Fulton / Dr. Fournier’s Associate. / at 3. 66 E. 58th” [MTP TS 37].

James Bertram, personal secretary for Andrew Carnegie wrote from N.Y.C. to Sam, advising that “In the course of a few weeks a cask will be delivered to you which Mr. Carnegie says you will please not hesitate to receive….” On or about this day Sam replied:

December 18, 1905 Monday

scott 18 August 2022

December 18 Monday – At the Casino Theatre in the afternoon (Lyon’s journal #2 gives it as 2 p.m) following a performance by Sarah Bernhardt, Sam offered a few words for the benefit of Jewish sufferers in Russia. The New York Times, Dec. 19, p. 9 reported the event:  

MARK TWAIN SPEAKS

AFTER BERNHARDT ACTS

Jewish Benefit Audience Enjoys an Unusual Double Bill.

$3,000 FOR THE RELIEF FUND

——— ——— ———

Humorist Says He and the Actress Are Two of the Youngest Persons Alive.

December 17, 1905 Sunday

scott 18 August 2022
December 17 Sunday – Sam wrote a longish inscription in JA to Sarah Bernhardt: 

 Ah, Madame the illustrious, I made a mistake yesterday; When you spoke of the “play,” I thought you meant the book—I have no play, I was never able to write a play. But this is the book; & it has one large merit: it puts no words into Jeanne’s mouth which she did not say.

With the homage of Yours very truly the Author, To Madame Sarah Bernhardt. Dec. 17/05 [MTP: Anderson Galleries catalog, Dec. 17, 1934, Item 61].

December 16, 1905 Saturday

scott 18 August 2022

December 16 Saturday – Sam conferred sometime this day with actress Sarah Bernhardt, who was scheduled to appear at the Casino Theatre on Dec. 18 in a benefit for Jewish victims in Russia (see Dec. 14 insert advertisement) [Dec. 17 inscription in JA]. Sam showed initial interest in offering a few words for the event in his Dec. 13 response to the Shuberts. His meeting with Bernhardt likely involved his attendance and address for the following afternoon’s benefit. It was a cause that found Clemens’ sympathies.

December 15, 1905 Friday

scott 18 August 2022

December 15 Friday – At 21 Fifth Ave., N.Y. Sam wrote a short note to Robert Bacon. “Dear Mr. Bacon: / I am expecting to send you the full report (in French) & an elaborate digest of it (English). By mail or by the hand of a delegation of our Association” [MTP].

Sam also sent a Dec. 6 form letter for the occasion of his 70 birthday to John D. Rhodes, US Court of Claims, Washington, D.C. Sam added: “Alas, they have shut Huck & Tom out from the youth’s department of the Brooklyn Blind Asylum library!” [MTP]. Note: postmarked this

Subscribe to