November 19 Tuesday – Sam’s notebook: “Conscious humor. Intentional juxtaposi can be wit in unconscious but not in conscious—the word indicates an intellectual effort. Man put 2 expediting stamps on letter he wanted it to go in a great hurry. Irish? No (Bub) | Goldsmith says: For thy sake I admit that a Scot may have humor—I’d almost said wit. | Does the text mean 1.
November 18 Monday – Sam’s notebook: “Embalm—bury—cremate, if these fail, try dissection. Extravagant enough in American form—in original Scotch form more so. Unconscious: chance juxtaposition of quaint or grotesque incongruous elements” [NB 44 TS 18].
November 17 Sunday – Sam’s notebook: “Like dew on the gowan lying is you specialty. / Lord Rector of Glasgow—rectors are ecclesiastical only—if its a good salary I shall run for it. Ancient & Honorable Artillery” [NB 44 TS 18].
Theodore Weld Stanton (1851-1925) wrote from Paris on Harper’s letterhead
I landed here last week after a most delightful passage. I never in fact had a more pleasant one. We were nearly, within a half hour, making the shortest eastern passage.
November 16 Saturday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Frank Fuller.
“With the enfeebling big adjective squelched & the commendation strengthened by the substitution of a smaller one I think the remark will now do to print.
“Excuse brevity & haste—I am crowding a piece of work to a finish today” [MTP].
November 15 Friday – Sam’s notebook: “Carey & portraits of Wash &c. / Why’nt you go to hell?—no Irish there/ A lie is an abomination [U] / Faith is believing what y’ know ain’t so. [U] / The callant died [?] / Pate de fois gras / May yr hon live till y’ collect it. [C] / The lost trunk—French [C] / What streets have you? [U] / We’ll see two cubs—/ He won’t let me go to par when he can get me at 30 off. [U] / Lightning bug & lightning / Josh” [NB 44 TS 17].
November 13 Wednesday – Sam’s notebook: “Anti-Imp. League—501-Fifth Ave, cor. 42d—4 p.m. rooms of Mr. Forney” [NB 44 TS 17]. Note: Sam attended a meeting of officers of the Anti-Imperialist League of New York. His participation is also mentioned in a news release about the meeting circulated later by Edward W. Ordway [Zwick email Oct. 20, 2007].
November 12 Tuesday – W.B. Forster Bonall (Borrill?) for The Echo (London) wrote to Sam: “Would you mind if I interviewed you from a distance about humor?” He was trying to make his paper pay but admitted “it’s hard work” [MTP]. Note: “last name doubtful”
November 11 Monday – Sam’s notebook: “Jos. Johnson—10-11. / What is the difference between an optimist of 50 & a fool? Do not know of any” [NB 44 TS 17].
November 10 Sunday – Sam’s notebook: “Return—11.35—12.30. / Bram Stoker, lunch Irving, dinner, 7, Players—Riggs Last train, 10.45” [NB 44 TS 17]. Note: entry suggests Sam stayed in town after the King’s Birthday celebration at Delmonico’s, had lunch and dinner, and took the last train back to Riverdale.
November 9 Saturday – Sam’s notebook: “The King’s birthday. Delmonico, 44th Street. I to arrive 9.30 or 9.45 / Mr. Bradley. Leave 8.45. Britons educated in British schools & colleges. Includes Canadians & other colonials” [NB 44 TS 17]. Note: see below.