November 8 Monday – In Hartford Sam wrote to Frederic G. Kitton, responding to his Oct. 28 request to contribute remarks to Kitton’s forthcoming book, Dickensiana:A Bibliography of the Literature Relating to Charles Dickens and His Writings (1886). Although writing other biographies, Kitton was noted for his work on Charles Dickens. At seventeen years of age he worked as an apprentice on the staff of the London Graphic.
November 6 Saturday – Sam gave a reading before the Hartford Saturday Morning Club. The content of the reading is unknown [Fatout, MT Speaking 657].
Sam wrote to an unidentified person:
November 5 Friday – General James Barnet Fry wrote from N.Y. to Sam:
November 4 Thursday – In New York, on Murray Hill Hotel stationery, Sam wrote to a Miss Samuel, answering her letter and request for a photograph of him.
I arrived in the city last night, & found your letter — whose very complimentary request I take pleasure in complying with [MTP]
November 3 Wednesday – In Hartford Sam wrote to Sarah Knowles Bolton:
Please keep the enclosed private, & do not let any one see it — for the reason that it has not been published yet; it will appear on Christmas day in a syndicate of 50 newspapers.
November 2 Tuesday – Sam had a visitor in Hartford — Sarah Knowles Bolton, a prolific American author of a “famous” series of books (Poor boys who became Famous, Girls who became Famous, Famous Men of Science, Famous American Statesmen, Famous English Statesmen, etc. (see Nov. 3 entry). She did not stay overnight.
November, early – As evidenced by a notebook entry: (S & I meet the others in Webster’s office at 11.30), General Philip Sheridan signed a contract for Webster & Co., to publish his Personal Memoirs, which would be completed in 1888.
October 29 Friday – Sam returned to Hartford in the afternoon [Oct. 26 to Livy].
October 28 Thursday – Sam was in New York, attending to business.
Frederic G. Kitton (1856-1904) wrote from London in preparation of a book on impressions of Charles Dickens. “I have no record that you ever knew Charles Dickens, or had even met him, but on the mere possibility of your having done so during the great Novelist’s stay in America, I venture to ask if you will kindly contribute a few lines to my forthcoming book….” Sam wrote on the envelope, “Can’t” then “Did”.
October 27 Wednesday – Sam was in New York, attending to business.
Dora Wheeler wrote from Cleveland, Sam’s letter having been forwarded from N.Y. “You are more than good to be willing to sit for me.” Dora intended to go to Hartford after Nov. 15. “Do you think Mr. Warner will let me do the same by him? Your letter to Mr Howells I know is alright — tho I have not yet seen it. I am very much obliged” [MTP].