The Dollis Hill Estate was formed in the early 19th century, when the Finch family bought up a number of farms in the area to form a single estate. Dollis Hill House itself was built in the 1820s. It was later occupied by Lord Aberdeen who often had Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone to stay as a guest.
June 22 Friday – Sam’s notebook: “H.L. Trower 9 Bryanston St . Kinsmen, 8 Willis’s Rooms King st St James’s Penley’s. Go to MacA 20 H at 12.45. / Then to GOERTZ” [NB 43 TS 18].
At 30 Wellington Court in London, Sam wrote to Joe Twichell.
June 21 Thursday – Sam’s notebook: “Seton Thompson. / MacArthur—1.15. Berkeley Restaurant. / CALL at 22 Wilton st (Bridge) about 5. / Mrs. Clemens, Mrs. Bigelow / Plasmon 12? / Lady Trelawney 13 Lancaster Gate W.—10 p.m. / 5 lb. PLASMON” [NB 43 TS 17].
June 20 Wednesday – Sam’s notebook: “Joseph Pulitzer, 1.30—8 Chesterfield Gardens Curzon st. / Royal Society, 9. (pm?) Burlington House” [NB 43 TS 17].
Sam and Livy had been invited by the Royal Society to a gathering at 9 p.m. on this evening. He accepted on June 14.
June 19 Tuesday – Sam’s notebook: “£5 Enid / Cox & Co—tailor. Order. BLACK PANTS / Will langs come, 5? LANG / NOON—Hulse. / 18 Stanhope Gardens / Mrs. Halsey, 8. Ask Mr. Chapin for the address./ Hannover 1 or 2” [NB 43 TS 17]. Note: Enid Stoker. Mrs. Halsey not further identified. Robert Chapin. Square after “Hannover” drawn in = Hannover Square.
June 18 Monday – Sam’s notebook: “Plasmon 12? / Phil May. 9.30” [NB 43 TS 17].
June 17 Sunday – Sam’s notebook: “The Earl of Jersey. Tea; also dinner / Osterley. Park Station. Leave Vic., — 4.11 (4.11) Earls Ct 4.26 (change?) (at Mill Hill Park?) / Return. Lv. Osterly / Lv. Osterley 10.47 / (Change at Mill Hill Park [)]” [NB 43 TS 16-17]. Note: Victor Albert George Child Villiers, 7th Earl of Jersey (1845–1915), banker, Conservative politician, and Governor of New South Wales (1891-1893).
June 16 Saturday – Sam’s notebook: “Ask Mac[Alister] about R.S.V.P. Royal Society / & GOUT / ANSWER LANG. / Irving’s Opening. ” [NB 43 TS 16]. Note: No recent incoming is extant from Andrew Lang. Sam may have been referring to the upcoming July 17 opening of The Merchant of Venice at the Lyceum Theatre, which ran to July 28; Irving played Shylock; Ellen Terry played Portia.
June 15 Friday – Sam’s notebook: “When you climb the hill of happiness, may you never meet a friend. / Beefsteak Club 9 Green st., Leicester after 3” [NB 43 TS 16].
June 14 Thursday – Sam’s notebook: “Several boxes of chocolate-cakes. / GOUT. JAP PLAY. / Plasmon 12?”
[NB 43 TS 16]. Note: it seems the Plasmon Co. held regular Thursday meetings.
At 30 Wellington Court in London, Sam wrote to The Royal Society for the Improvement of Natural Knowledge, a scientific group established in 1662.
“Mr. & Mrs. S.L. Clemens accept with pleasure the kind invitation of the President of the Royal Society for Wednesday, June 20th at 9 p.m.” [MTP].