From Olivia L. and Samuel L. Clemens
to John Brown
25–28 October 1875 • Hartford, Conn.
(MS: StEdNL, UCCL 01279)
slc
Dear Doctor Brown 1
We had grown so very anxious about you that it was a great pleasure to see the dear, familiar hand writing again, but the contents of the letter did make us inexpressibly sad— We have talked so much since about your coming to us,— Would not the change do you good? Could you not trust yourself with us? We would do everything to make you comfortable and happy that we could—and you have so many admirers in America that would be so happy and proud to welcome you—Is it not possible for you to come? Could not your son bring you? Perhaps the entire change would give you a new and healthier lease of life—
Our children are both well and happy I wish that you could see them, Susie is very motherly to the little one—
Mr Clemens is hard at work on a new book now 2 —he has a new book of sketches recently out which he is going to send you in a few days, most of the sketches are old, but some few are new— 3
Oh Doctor Brown how can you speak of your life as a waisted one! What you have written has alone done an immense amount of good, and I know for I speak from experience that one must get good every time they meet and chat with you— I recieve good every time I even think of you— Can a life that produces such an effect on others be a wasted life?
I feel that while you live the world is sweeter and better—
You ask if Clara is “queer and wistful and commanding” like your Susie, we think she ‸is‸ more queer, (more quaint) perhaps more commanding, but not nearly so wistful in her ways as “your Susie”— The nurse that we had with us in Edinburgh had to leave us to take care of a◇ sister ill with consumption, we have had ever since a quiet lady like German girl— 4 I must leave a place for Mr C.— Do think about coming to us— Give my love to your sister and your son—
‸Affectionately‸
‸Livy L. Clemens‸
Dear Doctor, if you & your Son Jock only would run over here! What a welcome we would give you!—and besides, you would forget cares & the troubles that come of them. To forget pain is to be painless; to forget care is to be rid of it; to go abroad is to accomplish both. Do try the prescription!
Always with love
Samℓ. L. Clemens.
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P. S.
Livy, you haven’t signed your letter.
Don’t forget that.
S. L. C.
Explanatory Notes
Brown alluded to his sister, Isabella; his son, John; “Sheriff” Alexander Nicolson;
Veitch’s Hotel in Edinburgh; and Ellen Bermingham (see note 4). He also mentioned several photographs: one of Susy by Van
Aken, sent in a letter of 4 September 1874 but otherwise unidentified; one of the “newcomer,” Clara, probably
taken in November 1874 and enclosed in a now-lost letter; and the “historical group” image taken in Edinburgh
in August 1873 by John Moffat, of the Clemenses with Brown and Clara Spaulding (see L5, 662; 19 or 20 Nov 74 to Parish, n. 2).
Source text(s):Previous publication:
L6, 570–72; Brown, 357–58.
Provenance:purchased in 1974.
