The Man in the White Suit: Day By Day

January 23 Saturday – Sam was in New York City with Isabel Lyon, who became ill and was forced to return to Stormfield, where she kept her bed for a couple of weeks [Feb. 5 to Blackmer]. Notes: Sam would return home on Jan. 30. Isabel would suffer a mental and physical breakdown, caused perhaps by her great volume of work, and a growing conflict with Clara Clemens. It may have been a standard hen-house issue of control and of access to Sam’s time and attention. She stayed in bed back at Stormfield and is mentioned in several of Clemens’ letters after he returned to Stormfield on Jan.

January 24 Tuesday – At 21 Fifth Ave. in N.Y.C. Sam wrote to the American Academy of Arts and Letters, casting his vote for the election of Thomas Bailey Aldrich as the fifteenth member of that select group. On Dec. 2, 1904 Sam had been one of the original seven elected [MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Today mother and I did some shopping together. It was blustery, but fine. Ugo is going away tomorrow. / Mr. Clemens is still in his bed, though better” [MTP: TS 38]. Note: Ugo Piemontini, the Italian servant brought back from Florence.

January 24 Wednesday – At 21 Fifth Ave., N.Y. Sam wrote to Mr. and Mrs. William P.Gordon in Bunker Hill, Illinois.

January 24 Thursday – At 21 Fifth Ave., N.Y. the back of a chair gave way with Sam in it. He fell backward striking his head, his feet in the air, his chin crushing his chest. He was not injured, though he wrote he couldn’t do that again without breaking his neck [Jan. 26 to Jean].  

January 24 Friday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam replied to the Jan. 16 from Elinor Sutherlin Glyn.  The letter below was Sam’s protest of the publication by Glyn of a pamphlet (Mark Twain on Three Weeks) which included a purported verbatim account of a conversation between the two discussing Glyn’s novel, Three Weeks (1907), which had shocked sensibilities (and gained many sales) for it’s unabashed account of an adulterous relationship.

January 24 Sunday – Sam was in New York City.

J.C. Hawkins for the Missouri Univ. Savitar wrote to ask Sam for “a small literary contribution.” He mentioned the 1906 Savitar which had been dedicated to Clemens, “the greatest Missourian” [MTP].

Anna Rosenkranz wrote from Bromberg, Prussia to ask permission to translate Eve’s Diary into German for their newspapers [MTP].

January 24 Monday — In Hamilton, Bermuda Sam wrote to Albert B. Paine in Redding, Conn.

Dear Paine:

Can you get this note to Mr. Moroso for me?

And will you send the poem to Clara when you write her?

January 25 Wednesday – At 21 Fifth Ave. in N.Y.C. Sam wrote to Susan Crane.

January 25, before – Sam wrote a line to the Tarboro, N.C. Literary Club, celebrating its eleventh anniversary on Jan. 25 with a “Mark Twain Evening” where quotations from eminent American humorists were read by each member of the club. He wrote: “I wish I could be there. Sincerely…” [MTP: Baltimore Sun, Jan. 29].

January 25 Friday – Sam played billiards with Peter Dunne (“Mr. Dooley”) [Jan. 26 to Jean]. Lyon wrote:

Isabel Lyon’s journal: The King said “I am just thirsting for blood & Mr. Dooley is going to furnish it!”—Billiards!—Mr. Dooley is coming for luncheon. But the King is walking up & down the billiard room with quick light eager steps—ready for dictation, but readier for the blood of Mr. Dooley [Peter Dunne].

January 25 Saturday – Sam left for Bermuda on the Bermudian. The New York Times, Jan. 26, p. 4 noted his departure and added:

“Mr. Clemens has been ill at his home for some days, and when he arrived at the vessel went direct to his stateroom and did not emerge while the vessel was at her pier. He was ordered south by his physician because of an attack of laryngitis.”

January 25 Monday – Sam was in New York City.

Dr. Henry M. Chase and the Boston Dispensary Staff sent an invitation card for a dinner on Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Hotel Brunswick, Boston [MTP].

Herbert F. Knowles, “a complete stranger” wrote from Hartford to Sam. Knowles was writing an article, “How I felt after my first smoke” and asked for “a few lines relating to your experience” [MTP]. Note: “Ans. Jan 27 M.L.H.”

January 25 Tuesday

January 25? Tuesday — In Hamilton, Bermuda Sam wrote on the Jan. 20 letter from Dora Prentice Wills to Albert B. Paine in Redding, Conn.: “Paine, write her one of your darlingest letters for me. SLC / Paine, Claude does not want his money. He will cash the check, but don’t send any more. SLC” [MTP].

January 26 to February 2 –– Sometime during the short stay in Bermuda, Sam traveled to Somerset to see 29-year-old Upton Sinclair, who had arrived on the island on Dec. 20, 1907 for a six-month stay. In 1906 Sinclair sent a copy of his best-known book, The Jungle, to Clemens (see Gribben 644). At this time Sinclair was collaborating with fellow socialist Michael Williams on a book about health. The Royal Gazette of Feb. 8 reported on Sam’s trip to Somerset. D. Hoffman writes, quoting the Gazette:

January 26 Thursday – Isabel Lyon’s journal #2: “French butler Leon arrived today. / Sale of Tarry Town property closed today. Mr. Benjamin has had charge of the sale” [MTP TS 3]. Note: Leon not further identified.

January 26 Friday – Sam was in Washington, D.C. David Pae for The People’s Friend / The Popular Home Journal (London) wrote to Sam, relating “a recent competition” where their readers were asked “to name their favorite living writer.” As a result HF and IA were tied for best; would Twain agree with this verdict, and if so, which of these was his favorite? [MTP]. Note: Lyon replied for Sam; allowing for post from London to NY, ten days time, or ca. Feb. 5.

January 26 Saturday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to daughter Jean in Katonah, N.Y.  

It is good news, Jean dear, that you are having healthful outdoor times, & especially good news that Dr. Hunt perceives that your condition is improved. It is very good news. Miss Lyon is sure you will like the carriage. From the description of it I am of the same opinion. George & the carriage & the horse will doubtless soon be on their way to you.

January 26 Sunday – After traversing stormy seas, the Bermudian docked in Hamilton Harbor, Bermuda in the morning [D. Hoffman 89]. Note: The passage took 45 hours; Sam left shortly after a ten-inch snowstorm in NYC [A.D. of Feb. 12].

Woodrow Wilson, at that time President of Princeton, arrived in Bermuda on Jan. 20, and wrote his wife, Ellen Axson Wilson on Jan. 26:

January 26 Tuesday – Sam was in New York City.

January 26 Wednesday - In Hamilton, Bermuda Sam wrote to Margaret Blackmer in Greenwich, Conn.

Dear Margaret— / So you have reached Rosemary Hall at last. I know it must be recently, or you would have run up to see me at Stormfield.

I suppose I shant see Stormfield again very soon, I have no sorrowful associations with Bermuda, so I expect to spend a good deal of my time here in future, I am not in any hurry to go back to America.

January 27 Friday – Isabel Lyon’s journal #2: “Mr. Langdon arrived this evening at 9:45” [MTP TS 3].

William Evarts Benjamin wrote to Sam concerning papers he’d handed him the day before on the Tarrytown property. Complexities regarding a Trolley Co. encroachment, ownership of half the adjoining streets and “other papers relating to the matter are in charge of” Mr. Andrew M. Clute, Sam’s attorney on the matters [MTP].

January 27 Sunday – Isabel Lyon’s journal:

This morning I had no mail for the King so we had talk instead & he read me Mr. Dooley’s ideas about the Army Canteen which appears in today’s Times. He sat up in bed & rolled it out so deliciously, gurgling with delight. I wish Peter Dunne could have seen him. I wish Kipling would see him read those immortal Jungle Tales.

January 27 Monday – At the Princess Hotel in Hamilton, Bermuda Sam wrote to daughter Clara  .

Clara dear, we arrived early this morning, after a voyage which began in good form but soon degenerated into storm and turmoil.

January 27 Wednesday – Sam was in New York City.

Mary E. Boynton wrote before this date to ask Sam to appear before a “very enthusiastic Staten Island audience.” What were his terms? [MTP]. Note: “Ans. Jan 27 M.L.H.”

George Dickson wrote from Alton, Ill. enclosing a formal studio portrait of himself, having been called “Mark Twain” by his friends (in file; not much resemblance). Would Clemens send one of his pictures? [MTP]. Note: “Ans. Jan 27 M.L.H.”