July 7, 1897

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July 7 Wednesday – At 23 Tedworth Square in London, Sam wrote to Andrew Carnegie, thanking him for “that great contribution which you made to the Herald fund.” He explained that since he wasn’t disabled, Livy wouldn’t allow him to accept any money, but he thanked him “all the same. It was like you: You always back your friendships.”

July 6, 1897

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July 6 Tuesday – At 23 Tedworth Square in London, Sam telegraphed to James B. Pond “Make it 9 tomorrow” [MTP]. Note: In his July 7 to Moffett, Sam wrote, “Yesterday [July 6] I arranged with Pond to go home & lecture all the fall & winter—provided your aunt Livy should consent.” This makes it likely that Pond and Sam exchanged more communiqués and did not meet at 9 a.m. on July 7, but sometime on this day, July 6.

July 5, 1897

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July 5 Monday – At 23 Tedworth Square in London, Sam wrote to an unidentified man that due to their change of plans there was no available time, so forgive him [MTP].

July 4, 1897

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July 4 Sunday – At 23 Tedworth Square in London, Sam wrote to Chatto & Windus, advising that they were leaving England “early in the morning the 9th ,” and asking if their “inventory man” would come on July 6. He also asked for the company messenger to pick up the rest of the finished (typed) manuscript, “both the original, for you, & the typed copy” he wished to be sent to H.H. Rogers, 26 Broadway, N.Y.C [MTP].

July 3, 1897

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July 3 Saturday – At 23 Tedworth Square in London, Sam replied to Florence Hayward, London foreign correspondent, whom he had turned down on Jan. 29 for an interview. Her request is not extant.

“Perhaps I could be interviewed a little—just a little—for the St. Louis Republic, but not for an English paper, because I have declined them all, including the Pall Mall, & must not stultify myself now.”

July 2, 1897

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July 2 Friday – At 23 Tedworth Square in London, Sam wrote to Frank E. Bliss, enclosing a photo “mentioned in the last chapter of the book.” Sam advised that he and Andrew Chatto had removed material from FE the day before. “Chatto promised to write you, so that you can leave it out, too, if you like.” After his signature Sam wrote they would leave for the Continent on July 8 [MTP]. Note: delays pushed departure to July 13.

July 1, 1897

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July 1 ThursdayAndrew Chatto and Sam “ripped out a raft of reprint matter from the Australian part of the book” (FE) feeling it improved the book and wasn’t needed [July 2 to Bliss].

The Hartford Courant, July 3, 1897: “Theatrical Gossip – Gillette Gives a Supper” p.3. The article did not report that Sam spoke at the supper. The dinner was noted in his notebook but no mention of a talk or speech given; if he did his words have been lost:

July 1897

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July – Place unknown (but likely London): Sam sent aphorisms to Henry P. Child:

Universal brotherhood is the most precious thing we have, what there is of it.— Puddnhead Wilson’s New Calendar.

To succeed in the other trades, knowledge must be shown; in the law, the concealment of it will do.— Puddnhead Wilson’s New Calendar. / Truly Yours / Mark Twain / (S.L. Clemens) / July, 1897 [MTP]. Note: Ancestry.com in the U.K. has one record for Henry P. Child, b. ca. 1824 in Yorkshire.

June 30, 1897

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June 30 WednesdaySam’s notebook: “Dinner, (7.30?) Skrine, Queen Anne’s Mansions Wednesday, 30th” [NB 41 TS 32]. Note: Sam confirmed Skrine dinner, but for July 1, back on June 26; the date was then changed.

From the Brooklyn Eagle, p. 6, an editorial response to Mark Twain refusing charity efforts to pay his indebtedness:

Mark Twain.

June 29, 1897

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June 29 Tuesday – At 23 Tedworth Square in London, Sam wrote to Douglas Garth, either owner or property manager of the family’s rental flat. An extension beyond July 1 had evidently been requested and granted by Garth: