April 20 Saturday – [date in a PDF box]
Sam’s notebook: “Dr. Emmett. No—19th (above) Heptagon Dining Club, 7.30 at Metropolitan Club. Informal— only 20. James W. Alexander 4 E. 64th” [NB 44 TS 9]. Note: see Apr. 21.
April 19 Friday – The Clemens family left N.Y.C. and traveled to Saranac Lake, N.Y. [Apr. 21 to Alexander]. Note: Their purpose was to secure a cabin to return for summer for Livy’s health. See Apr. 21 to Alexander.
Sam’s notebook: “Heptagon – see below [for Apr.20] / Mr. Stokes 50 W. 39th / Mrs. Mott 17 East 47th” [NB 44 TS 9]. Note: Mrs. Jordan Lawrence Mott, Jr.
April 18 Thursday – Sam inscribed the first volume of his autographed 24-volume set of Mark Twain’s Works by American Publishing Co. to William S. Hofstra (1861-1932), Dutch immigrant lumber magnate and founder of Hofstra University: “With compliments to / William S. Hofstra / S.L. Clemens / (Mark Twain) / April 18, 1901” [eBay #370393968899, June 10, 2010]. Note: this set was numer 97 of 512 published. He likely signed other sets on this day that have yet to surface.
April 17 Wednesday – Sir Hiram Stevens Maxim (1840-1916) inventor born in Maine who lived in London, wrote to Sam about his “Sitting in Darkness” article:
April 16 Tuesday – Sam’s notebook: “Mr. Enos—evening Social Club All Clemenses” [NB 44 TS 8].
In N.Y.C., Sam wrote a “NOTICE!” to Frank Bliss, explaining he could allow “copying-privileges” only when Bliss wanted, regardless of what Sam said, since he was obliged to say yes as a rule “as a trade-courtesy” [MTP].
April 15 Monday – In N.Y.C., Sam wrote to Laurence Hutton, who had become a professor at Princeton University.
Dear Professor: / I am glad to hail you by that handsome title, and we all congratulate you cordially! Mrs. Clemens puts in her head and interrupts to say, “Give them my love, my best love, and do your dictating a little more quietly and don’t make such a hell of a racket for I am busy in here and have things to attend to myself.” That is like my wife, who is nothing if not unliterary.
April 14 Sunday – In N.Y.C., Sam wrote to Mary Elizabeth Phillips, observing that “even the kindliest-intended sketches” of himself made him feel ashamed, but the one she’d sent made him “proud. It may not be me, but it’s what I would like to be anyway” [MTP].
April 13 Saturday – In N.Y.C., Sam wrote to an unidentified woman [MTP].
Dear Madam:
It is such a disappointment. From the tone, I supposed it was God; when I reached the signature I found it was only you.
Your pulverized & repentant / Mark Twain / Apl. 13 [MTP].
April 12 Friday – Rev. Thomas Chalmers of Manchester, N.H. wrote on Fryeburg-on-the-Saco letterhead to Sam, upset about Sam not issuing a “restatement of the Ament case,” and judging his first article to be “an outrage” based on a “newspaper lie.” “I am sorry you have spoiled my ‘Mark Twain’ Your sayings will not be as funny as they used to be” [MTP].
April 11 Thursday – At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote a few lines to Laura Fitch McQuiston in Fort Hancock, N.J. “I shall lose no opportunity that offers, to serve you. My expectations are small, because of the experiences behind me; but I shall watch & wait” [MTP]. Note: see earlier letters to McQuiston.