To Francis De Winton
with a book inscribed to Louise Caroline Alberta Wettin
(Princess Louise)
4 June 1883 • Hartford, Conn.
(MS: CU-MARK, UCCL 01919 and UCCL 12375)

‸P. S. Although the introduction dates a year back, the book is only just now issued.
A good long delay. S L C ‸

Hartford, June 4/83.

Dear Colonel De Winton:

I very much want to send a little book to her Royal Highness—the famous Portuguese phrase-book; but I do not know the etiquette of the matter, & I would not wittingly infringe any rule of propriety. It is a book which I perfectly well know will amuse her “some at most” if she has not seen it before, and will still amuse her “some at least,” even if she has inspected it a hundred times already. So I will send the book to you, & you who know all about the proper observances will protect me from indiscretion, in case of need, by putting the said book in the fire, & remaining as dumb as I generally was when I was up there. I do not rebind the thing, because that would look as if I thought it worth keeping, whereas it is only worth glancing at & casting aside.

Will you please present my compliments to Mrs. De Winton & Mrs. MacKenzie?—& I beg to make my sincere compliments to you, also, for your infinite kindnesses to me. I did have a delightful time up there, most certainly.

Truly Yours

S L Clemens

To

Her Royal Highness

the Princess Louise

With the respectful compliments of

the book’s American Sponsor.

Hartford, June 1883.