November 14 Wednesday – Sam’s notebook: names a comedy play by Sir Arthur Wing Pinero, whom he’d met at a dinner for Sir Henry Irving in London on June 9: The Gay Lord Quex: A Comedy in Four Acts. N.Y . The full NB entry:
Sam’s notebook: “Gay Lord Quex—Wednesday—Box—or billiards? Ask R & the Rices & telephonegraph. /
Mrs. Clemens & not the Rice’s—dinner 6.45. / Dine with Mr. Rogers” [NB 43 TS 29].
November 13 Tuesday – Sam’s notebook: “3.30 Col Harvey at 26 B’way” [NB 43 TS 28]. Note: George B. Harvey at H.H. Roger’s office.
At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to Thomas Bailey Aldrich, thanking him for sending a copy of Aldrich’s speech for the Nov. 11 Lotos Banquet in Mark Twain’s honor.
November 12 Monday – Sam’s notebook: “Press Club 116 Nassau st. / Evening – 9 p.m. / Saml A. Wood Chn House Com. [circled]” [NB 43 TS 28].
At 9 p.m. Sam made three speeches at a reception of the New York Press Club, 116 Nassau St. From the New York Times, Nov. 13, p.14:
RECEPTION TO MARK TWAIN.
Humorist Entertained at the New York Press Club.
November 11 Sunday – At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote a postcard to Robert Underwood Johnson of Century Magazine.
“You’d much better come here—to-morrow before 12 noon—my den is sacred from interruption from 10.30 till 12 daily. But if you can’t, I’ll look in at the Century during the week” [MTP].
November 10 Saturday – At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to John Brisben Walker, that Livy and the girls had hired a motor car (“mobile”). He then faced the modern problem of how to get a taxi in New York City when one was needed:
The world does move! Mrs. Clemens & the girls have gone off in a hired mobile to the theatre in Harlem. She & I went to Harlem in a coupe three days ago, with a poor tired horse who made less than 4 miles an hour, & it is a pity for the horse that has converted the woman.
November 8 Thursday – Sam’s notebook: “Victor Mapes play—Empire Theatre—2 p.m. / 2 p.m. Mr. Rogers & Chester Lord” [NB 43 TS 28]. Note: The matinee four-act play, “The Tory’s Guest,” which, according to the NY Times, p.7, Nov. 9, “was performed by pupils in Mr. Sargent’s American Academy of the Dramatic Arts” [Gribben 450]. Gribben mentions two other plays by Mapes, but the one above played on the same date as Sam’s entry and at the same theater.
November 7 Wednesday – Sam’s notebook: “Harry Rogers at Mr. Benjamins, 46 E 74th 4.30. / Send de luxe— lower than Charley to Miss Mary Benjamin,—write a note” [NB 43 TS 28].
Henry Huddleston (Harry) Rogers, Jr. married Mary Benjamin [MTHHR 743]. Note: Sam’s NB entry reveals he attended the wedding at the Benjamin home, and gave a deluxe set of his books.
At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to Laurence Hutton.
November 6 Tuesday – At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to Brander Matthews.
Dang it, I’m in Princeton 16th, 17th, & 18th to umpire the football game.
Gimme another chance!
Of course dedicate to me, if you will do me that honor. I shall be glad & proud [MTP]. Note: Gribben identifies the dedicated work as Matthews’ 1901 book, The Historical Novel and Other Essays [459].
November 5 Monday – Before leaving Princeton, N.J.., Sam inscribed Laurence Hutton’s copy of The Celebrated Frog of Calaveras County to: Laurence Hutton: “Prosperity & happiness to Laurence Hutton from his friend Mark Twain—Nov. 5, 1900.” Dated by Hutton on the fly-leaf, “Apr 21/70” [MTP: M.E. Wood, Laurence and Eleanor Hutton: Their Books of Association, 1905, p.129].
November 4 Sunday – The Clemenses visited with the Laurence Huttons in Princeton, N.J..
William Dean Howells, nearby at 115 E.16th Street, wrote to Thomas Bailey Aldrich, remarking on how good Clemens looked: