Dec. 29,
Livy darling, I will only write a line, to accompany these enclosures. A moment ago I looked into the drawer & saw several letters, addressed to me, in a familiar [handwriting] —yours; & they brought you before me. No, not that exactly, [ b◇ because ]nothing but you, yourself will do—but they so reminded me of you, & made me so long to see you & take you in my arms. Never mind the “gushing;” with one like me, that is nothing; I am not demonstrative, except at intervals—but I always love you—always admire you—am always your champion. In Salisbury when a gentleman1 remarked upon my taking the trouble to telegraph a Merry Christmas to my wife, saying it was the sort of thing to do with a sweetheart, I closed him up very promptly, & [ sad said ]I did not allow any man to refer to my wife jestingly, however respectful he might intend to be. He apologized profusely—otherwise things would have been pretty unpleasant there, presently. I love you, my darling, whether I keep saying it or not—I always love— you—always.
Samℓ.
[enclosure 1:] 2
Preserve this, Livy, S. L. C.
6, kent terrace, regent’s park. n. w.
Xmas day. 1873.
My dear Sir,
“After compliments”, as the Orientals say, by which in this case I mean no compliments at all, but the heartiest good wishes of the season, I am to say to you, on the part of the partner of my expenses, that we shall assemble some friends here on Wednesday, New Year’s Eve, at 9 o’clock, for frivolous conversation, to be atoned for by serious supper at 11, & so we hope to see in 1874 agreeably. It will much increase the chance of our doing so, if you will give us the pleasure of your company. Will you?
Always yours sincerely
Shirley Brooks. 3
S. L. Clemens Esq
[enclosure 2:]
Preserve this.
S. L. C.
Halloway House, Hastings
Dec. 27, 1873.
My dear Clemens,
The best wishes of this good time be yours and all its plentiful hopes.
Since it seems unhappily so doubtful whether you will be able to come and see us, can you tell me where you would be to be found in London any day between the 13th & 2 16th of January. 4 We shall be up then, and I would bring to you the things you are so kind as [to] offer to take.
Some day perhaps we may write a play together. It would be great fun. 5
Don’t address me Rev. I’m not reverend. If you do I will return the compliment.
Yours ever,
George MacDonald.
[in ink:] Mrs. Samℓ. L. Clemens |
Hartford | Conn. | Forest street. |
[rule]
[in upper left corner:] America |
[rule]
[on flap:]
slc/mt
[postmarked:] london.w 3 de 30 73
[and] boston 14 jan 12[u.s.]notes
[and] insufficiently stamped
[and] 2 |
[flourish] | Due 12
Explanatory Notes | Textual Commentary
Mark Twain proposed the host and hostess in a very funny little speech.... I believe that it was only my fancy
that made me think our supper less effective than our other gatherings have been. To bed at 2.30, and all thanks where all should be
paid for all the mercies of the year. This entry constituted Brooks’s last: he died, after a brief illness, on 23 February 1874 (Layard, 576–77, 580–86).
Source text(s):Previous publication:
L5, 536–38; LLMT 188–89, letter only.
Provenance:see Samossoud Collection (letter) and Mark Twain Papers (enclosures) in Description of Provenance.
Emendations and textual notes:
handwriting • hand-|writing
b◇ because • b◇ecause
sad said • sadid
u.s. • u.[s.] [badly inked]
