The Man in the White Suit: Day By Day

December 5 Tuesday – In New York City Sam wrote a short note to Helen Keller:
It is a lovely letter, dear Helen, & I thank you from my heart for it Remain an optimist just as long as you can, dear! I would not abridge the term by a single day. But as for me—ah, that is different! Do please give my love to Mr. & Mrs. Macy. / Always affectionately…[MTP: Cushman file]. Note: John Albert Macy (1877-1932), author, critic, poet.Isabel 

December 5 Wednesday – Francis Trevelyan Miller for Connecticut Magazine wrote to Sam, enclosing a poem, “To Genial, Whole-Souled Mark Twain,” and a copy of the current issue with birthday congratulations [MTP].

Clemens’ A.D. of this day included: “A Yankee at the Court of King Arthur” written to contrast English life of the Middle Ages with modern civilization—Arraignment of King Leopold II— His character contrasted with character of lawyer who cared for John Marshall Monument Fund [MTP Autodict3; MTE 211-213].

December 5 Thursday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to Billie Burke, actress.

It was lovely of you, dear Billie, to say those approving & affectionate things to me out of the good heart & the sweet spirit which are special graces of your nature & they are very welcome.

It is healing & refreshment to the sui-sodden crime-worn soul to see you & John Drew in that bewitching play,—I am coming again to gloat & admire.

December 5 Saturday – Sam’s new guestbook:  

Name  Address  Date  Remarks

December 6 Tuesday – Gale puts Sam as a guest at George B. Harvey’s dinner for Henry James [Henry James Encyclopedia 683].

December 6 Wednesday – Sam attended “a part of Hansel and Gretel,” a play based on Grimm’s fairy tale, performed at the Metropolitan Opera House, Alfred Hertz conducting the performance of the opera written by Engelbert Humperdinck (1854-1921). Isabel Lyon recorded that he enjoyed the opera, but at George Harvey’s insistence left early so as not to become overtired [Gribben 341: Lyon’s journal TS 112: MTP]. Note: the N.Y. Times, Dec.

December 6 Thursday – Sam replied to the Dec. 1 from Eugene Fitch Ware aka “Ironquill”, the letter later appearing in the Dec. 16 issue of the Washington Post, p. E6. which contained Ware’s “compliment” and Sam’s reply:

Dear Mr. Ware:

December 6 Friday – Thomas Commerford Martin for the Engineer’s Club wrote to Miss Lyon that he was sending his son and carriage for Clemens on Monday (Dec. 9) for the Carnegie’s 70th banquet, and according to sam’s wishes Martin would introduced him third on the program [MTP].

Joe Twichell wrote to Sam.

Dear Mark; / I am just setting out with Charley Clark for Buffalo, where we are to be on duty at a Yale Alumni Dinner tomorrow night.

December 6 Sunday – In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to Margaret Blackmer.

December 6 Monday — In Hamilton Bermuda Sam replied to a non-extant letter from daughter Clara.

December 7 Wednesday – Isabel Lyon’s journal contains an entry for this date: “And then Mr. Thomas Bailey Aldrich came in to ask Mr. Clemens and Jean to go tonight to see a tragedy that he has recently written.” Note: The play was Judith of Bethulia, a Tragedy, which was his dramatization of an earlier poem, “Judith and Holofernes” (1896); Her Journal also contained: “This has been a day of events—for this morning Mr. [Finley Peter] Dunne came for a closeting with Mr. Clemens” [Gribben 16: 1903-1906 Diary, TS 31, MTP]. The New York Times, Dec.

December 7 Friday – Sam was in Washington, D.C., and spoke before the Joint Congressional Committee on Patents in favor of stronger copyright legislation. It was a cause Twain was long chasing. Shelden writes perhaps the most dramatic and telling account of his appearance in his white suit:  

December 7 Saturday – Eustace D. Conway, son of Moncure Conway, who had died in Paris on Nov. 15, sent Sam an invitation to the funeral service on Dec. 14 at 10:30 a.m.[MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter, “I’ll go to it”

Charles J. Langdon wrote from Elmira, N.Y. to Sam, enclosing a draft for $25 for a coupon of Atlanta Gas Light Co. He had rec’d no acknowledgement of his Nov. 6 draft for $137.50 [MTP].

December 7 Monday – Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Murray Butler sent their calling card for Sam “to meet Lord & Lady Northcliffe & Signor Ferrero,” Tues. Dec. 15 4 to 6 p.m. [MTP]. Note: “Ans Dec 7 MLH”

December 7 Tuesday — Clemens was in Bermuda. He took daily scenic rides after school hours [Dec. 14 to Nunnally]. D. Hoffman quotes from Helen Schuyler Allen’s diary about Sam’s daily routine:

December 8 Thursday – Mary C. Waters wrote to Sam, having read his Joan of Arc article in the Dec. Harper’s. She enclosed an article, no longer extant [MTP].

December 8 Friday – Louise A. Howland (Robert Howland’s widow) wrote from Sausalito, Calif. to Sam, congratulating him on his 70 , asking for an “up to date photograph” and recalling the old says when she “knew and claimed Mark Twain—as one of her best friends” [MTP]. Note: estimated here one week, or ca. Dec. 15 for Sam’s reply.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Today Mr. Clemens took me down to the Produce Exchange Safety Vaults and made me his deputy there” [MTP TS 112].

Benjamin Arthur wrote to congratulate Sam [MTP].

December 8 Saturday – At the New Willard Hotel, Washington, D.C., Sam wrote Emilie R. Rogers:

Oh, dear me I am ashamed! I forgot to telephone you (in my hurry) that I must rush off to Washington in the interest of the new copyright bill & couldn’t keep my engagement for 5 p.m. yesterday with you. I am dreadfully sorry, & I apologize.

December 8 Sunday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote a postcard (picturing himself in bed and labeled “Mark Twain’s Muse”) to Annie E. Trumbull. “I thank you dear Miss Annie, & wish you a happy holiday season” [MTP].

December 8 Tuesday – Sam’s A.D. for this date focused again on the two burglars at Stormfield [Hill 209]. f: Sam also dictated on the burglary on Oct. 6 and Nov. 12.  

December 8 Wednesday — Sam took daily scenic rides after school hours [Dec. 14 to Nunnally].

December 9 Friday – On or after this day at 21 Fifth Ave. in N.Y.C. Sam replied to the Nov. 6 from A. Silk.

“Dear Sir: / I thank you for the library catalogue cutting for I have often wanted to know what that Diary is—and now find by the heading that it is philosophical or religious or both—and I am glad to know—“ [MTP]. Note: the “Diary” was “Extracts of Adam’s Diary.”

December 9 Sunday – Margaret H. Wentworth wrote from Wash. D.C. to Sam. She had “two young orphan nieces” under her care and asked if Twain might see them for a minute while in town [MTP].