March – Daniel Carter Beard illustrated a story called “Wu Chih Tien, the Celestial Princess” in the March issue of Cosmopolitan. Sam saw the issue and became interested in hiring Beard to illustrate CY [MTLTP 254n1]. Sam also noted negatively the story, “Over the Cossack Steppes,” by David Ker, calling it “flatulence” [Gribben 160; MTNJ 3: 457].
From Sam’s notebook:
February 28 Thursday – Sam gave a short speech introducing poet James Whitcomb Riley (1849-1916) and humorist Edgar Wilson “Bill” Nye (1850-1896) at the Tremont Temple in Boston. The pair toured together in 1886 and 1889. Nye founded the Laramie, Wyoming Boomerang in 1881. Fatout writes,
February 27 Wednesday – At 3 p.m. Sam gave a dinner speech at the Wadsworth Athenaeum in Hartford for the Hartford Art Society. Unfortunately, the program, which closed at 5 p.m., was not recorded [MTNJ 3: 447n133]. Note: this has been erroneously reported as the Athenaeum Club in Boston.
February 26 Tuesday – After Edward H. House objected to P&P being dramatized by Abby Sage Richardson, Sam wrote him:
February 25 Monday – In New York City, Sam gave a dinner speech for Trinity College Alumni, “The College President.” Hartford Daily Courant published Sam’s remarks (Feb. 26, 1889, p.3.) The speech was in honor of Twain’s friend Dr. George Williamson Smith, a clergyman and President of Trinity College in Hartford. See MTNJ 3: 452n151.
February 24 Sunday – In Hartford Sam responded to Feb. 18 & 19 letters from Thomas W. Knox, saying that if the office of Building Inspector for Hartford was offered it would be the only office he would take, but,
…not any other office that is namable, not even a kingship…I do thank you, each and every one, but I couldn’t dream of accepting, old friend [MTP].
February 23 Saturday – Dana Estes, acting as secretary for the International Copyright Association, Boston, wrote Sam urging him to appear at the Mar. 7 benefit at the Boston Museum for the copyright cause. Estes declared, “your co-operation is deemed absolutely essential to the success of the Reading” [MTP].
February 22 Friday – Thomas W. Knox for Lotos Club wrote to Sam that the matter he’d been trying to see Sam about was to urge him to accept the Club presidency for the coming year [MTP].
February 21 Thursday – In Hartford Sam wrote a one-liner to Richard Watson Gilder of the Century, declining an invitation due to “an engagement away up North on that date” [MTP].
Orion Clemens finished his letter began Feb. 20 [MTP].
February 20 Wednesday – International copyright legislation again failed in Congress. In Hartford, Sam sent his thanks to President Grover Cleveland for his support in the effort. Sam responded to Cleveland’s letter of Feb. 15.