November 28 Thursday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Livy wrote for Sam to George Austin Morrison, informing him that Sam would not be able to get to the Banquet of St. Andrew’s Society until 9:30 and “slip into his seat at the President’s table before the speeches begin” [MTP].
November 27 Wednesday – Livy’s 56th birthday. Sam inscribed in Hawthorn and Lavender, with Other Verses, to Livy: “To / Mrs. Olivia L. Clemens—Nov. 27, 1871 or 2—Upon the occasion & celebration of one of her early birth-days, when she did not mind them so much. / from SLC. / Riverdale-on-Hudson / Nov. 1901” [MTP: TS of inscription in Hawthorn and Lavendar, with Other Verses; Gribben 308].
November 26 Tuesday – Sam’s notebook: “Could take 6.46. Don’t | Leave by 7.27—arrive 7.55. 8 p.m. Waldorf— big ball room. Mr. Stokes (Fred). N. England Soc. Return, 11.35 (Next & last, is 12.30)” [NB 44 TS 18].
November 25 Monday – Sam’s notebook: “Delmonico, 7. Harvey. To reconstruct Harper’s Weekly & save its life. Still with Bangs for editor? Go to! P.S. The result not promising” [NB 44 TS 18]. Note: John Kendrick Bangs.
November 24 Sunday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Chatto & Windus, requesting sheets for “The Californian’s Tale,” which he meant to publish in Harper’s Monthly [MTP].
November 23 Saturday – William Dean Howells replied to Sam’s Nov. 21.
That Baker letter is indeed precious: he could use an old people’s home all by himself. The spelling, spirit and expression all go together. I wish Keats could have lived to hear of “a town of beauty and a joy forever.” But we must not expect everything.
November 21 Thursday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Andrew Carnegie about speaking at the Sons of Scotland banquet at Delmonico’s on Nov. 30.
I find I am to be there. Mrs. Clemens came in, a minute ago, and furnished the information. If I had had another 18 hours I could have made up my mind myself. At bottom I am afraid of religious banquets, but now that the matter is settled I am not feeling so worried as I was.
November 20 Wednesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Miss Hart (not further identified): “I am very glad indeed to comply” [MTP].
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].