June – The Critic for June, p.518-24 ran an illustrated (six photographs) article, “Mark Twain from an Italian Point of View” by Raffaele Simboli, correspondent for the Nuova Antologia. See Nov. 6, 1903 entry for excerpt. Included in the pictures was one of Jean Clemens on her white Italian saddle- horse (see insert), a gift from Livy, which would die in an August trolley accident in Lee, Mass. Also in this issue was Mark Twain’s “Letter to an Italian Editor,” p.
To The Person Sitting in Darkness: Day By Day
June 1 Wednesday – Sam’s notebook: “Commendatore Biagi with vice Chancellor—afternoon. Father Stiattesi has suppressed his fancy cocks & hens because they disturb Mrs. Clemens. He is the best man I know” [NB 47 TS 11].
June 2 Thursday – Maria Fleischel, an admirer wrote from Spezia, Italy to Sam for his autograph [MTP].
June 3 Friday – On this day or the next at the Villa Reale di Quarto near Florence Sam wrote to William Dana Orcutt and Mary T. Orcutt. “They are superb—the most extraordinary flowers I have ever seen—& Mrs. Clemens sends her very best thanks for them & for your kind remembrance: & in this the rest of us join, with best wishes for you both & a cordial Alf wiedersehen!” [MTP: William D. Orcutt, In Quest of the Perfect Book 1926, p.172].
June 4 Saturday – Sam’s notebook: “I have secured an option on 2 villas: one at 115000 francs, the other at 150,000—cash. But both to be submitted to Livy for her decision” [NB 47 TS 11]. Note: see also Hill p.84.
June 5 Sunday – At the Villa Reale di Quarto near Florence, Olivia Louise (Livy) Clemens died of heart failure at “a little past 9” in the evening. She was 58 years old [June 6 to Aldrich, Howells]. Paine gives a detailed account of the hours before Livy’s death (other reminiscences vary slightly in detail):
June 6 Monday – At 2:30 a.m. at the Villa Reale di Quarto near Florence Sam wrote to Susan Crane.
2.30 a.m. I have been down stairs to worship that dear face, & for the first time in all these long years it gave no heed. How beautiful it was; & young, & smooth, & rounded, & how sweetly reposeful! I can carry that picture clear & fadeless in my heart until my own happy time shall come.
June 7 Tuesday – At 7 p.m. at the Villa Reale di Quarto near Florence Sam wrote to Richard Watson Gilder. The content suggests Sam had also included Gilder in his telegraphing of Livy’s death.
I have been worrying & worrying to know what to do; at last I went to the girls with an idea: to ask the Gilders to get us shelter near their summer home. It was the first time they have not shaken their heads. So to-morrow I will cable you & shall hope to be in time.
June 8 Wednesday – Clara Clemens’ 30th birthday.
Sam’s notebook: “54 lamenting cablegrams have arrived—from America, England, France, Austria, Germany, Australia. Soon the letters will follow. Livy was beloved everywhere” [NB 47 TS 12].
At the Villa Reale di Quarto near Florence Sam sent a cable to Richard Watson Gilder: “Gilder we want your cottage next your house for the summer at end June” [MTP].
June 9 Thursday – In London William Dean Howells wrote to Sam, having rec’d his of June 6:
June 10 Friday – Sam’s notebook: “Livy’s last gift to the children was a pair of riding-horses—6 or 8 weeks ago.
Ugo (the butler) will sail with them for America from Leghorn June 22” [NB 47 TS 12]. Note: Ugo Piemontini.
Emily Gerard in Salzburg, Austria, wrote a letter of condolence to Sam [MTP].
Margaret Shaw Graham (Mrs. John C. Graham) of Louisville, Ky. wrote a letter of condolence to Sam. “I hope your brave heart will be your own comforter” [MTP].
June 11 Saturday – William Archer wrote a letter of condolence to Sam [MTP].
Gedney W. Bunce wrote to Sam. “I knew, loved & admired her” [MTP].
Odoardo Luchini wrote condolences to Sam and Isabel Lyon [MTP].
George Gregory Smith wrote condolences to Sam by way of Francis B. Keene [MTP].
June 12 Sunday – At the Villa Reale di Quarto near Florence Sam wrote to William Dean Howells.
June 13 Monday – In the evening at the Villa Reale di Quarto near Florence Sam wrote to Charles J. Langdon about transporting two horses, Livy’s last gift to her daughters, back to America.
June 14 Tuesday – At the Villa Reale di Quarto near Florence, Isabel V. Lyon wrote for Sam to Raffaele Simboli. “You will understand that Mr. Clemens is not interested in anything at the present time, his house being a house of mourning” [MTP].
June 16 Thursday – At the Villa Reale di Quarto Sam wrote to Daniel Willard Fiske in London.
June 17 Friday – At the Villa Reale di Quarto near Florence Sam sent a cable to John Y. MacAlister:
“Clara slowly recovering The rest well / Clemens” [MTP].
Thomas Nelson Page in York Harbor, Maine wrote a letter of condolence to Sam [MTP].
Emma B. Thayer and Abbott Handerson Thayer each wrote, from Monadnock, N.H., a letter of condolence to Sam [MTP].
June 18 Saturday – At the Villa Reale di Quarto near Florence Sam wrote to Joe Twichell.
Dear Joe: / It is 13 days. I am bewildered and must remain so for a time longer. It was so sudden, so unexpected. Imagine a man worth a hundred millions who suddenly finds himself penniless & fifty millions in debt in his old age. I was richer than any other person in the world, and now I am that pauper without peer. Some day I will tell you about it, not now. / Mark [MTP].
June 19 Sunday – At the Villa Reale di Quarto Sam wrote to Charles J. Langdon.
June 20 Monday – Jean Clemens was ill, so Sam and Katy Leary remained with Jean at the Villa di Quarto for three hours. In the meantime the rest of the party (Isabel V. Lyon, her mother Georgiana Lyon, and others not named) left for the Hotel de la Ville in Florence. Jean “rallied” and the three arrived at the hotel “about 8 p.m.”
June 21 Tuesday – Sam’s notebook: “Grozzini lives in the city. Goes to Mrs. Ross at 10 fr & cab hire—say 16 fr per visit. At night, 25 fr. / [Horiz. Line separator] / All arrived with the baggage at the Hotel de la Ville. First day of the sad journey home” [NB 47 TS 13].
At the Hotel de la Ville in Florence Sam sent the following form letter to those who had expressed sympathy for the loss of his wife:
TO WHOM THIS SHALL COME:
June 22 Wednesday – At the Hotel de la Ville in Florence Sam sent the same “TO WHOM THIS SHALL COME” note to William Wilberforce Baldwin in Rome, and added,
Sam also sent the same “TO WHOM THIS SHALL COME” note to William Archer in London, and added “I know she is gone, dear Mr. Archer, but I do not realized it I cannot give her up” [MTP].
June 23 Thursday – At the Hotel de Ville in Florence Sam sent the same “TO WHOM THIS SHALL COME” note to Andrew Chatto in London, and added, “Good-bye, dear Chatto friends of these many years, we may meet no more” [MTP]. Note: postmarked June 23.
June 24 Friday – The Clemens party left Florence and arrived in Rome, staying at the Grand Hotel Du Quirinal. They intended to rest there a day for Clara, but decided to stay two days [June 26 to Langdon].
June 25 Saturday – The Clemens party rested at the Grand Hotel Du Quirinal in Rome, Italy [June 26 to Langdon].
Sam’s notebook: “Giving Clara a day of needed rest. Expect to leave for Naples tomorrow noon. / Dr. Baldwin came. He was furious over Kirch’s charge of 7,300 francs for 3 months & 28 days medical attendance. He wrote a harsh letter to Kirch & I got a copy of it” [NB 47 TS 13].