10 April 1878 • Elmira, N.Y. (MS: NHyF, UCCL 11402)
I had a delightful visit in Fredonia (got my baggage full as soon as I had any need of it), & a dr horrid night-trip to New York. I was so worn out that I didn’t try to make my speech at the Taylor dinner; couldn’t trust my memory.
I ordered the Synonyms, & I think w you will like it. I expressed “The Loyal League” to you yesterday—a lovely story, but in I think that in some respects the simpler version in the Mitford’s “Tales of Old Japan” is preferable. The present version leaves some of the dignity & most of the pathos out.
I had a perfectly enchanting time at your house—God send I see another such! Mrs. Clemens & I send our love to you & Mrs. Gray. And also our good-bye—for we presently leave here, & tomorrow at 2 PM we sail.
I came near letting Mrs. Clemens keep that Japanese book, she was so fascinated with the cover & the pictures, but I couldn’t for the life of me remember whether you particularly valued it or not; so I judged it safest to return it to you.
MS, David Gray Papers, General Services Administration National Archives and Record Service, NHyF.
MicroPUL, reel 1.
The David Gray Papers—donated to NHyF by David Gray, Jr.—include several dozen letters written to his father and mother. Among these are nine letters from Clemens, one from Clemens to Olivia, and one from Olivia alone.
More information on provenance may be found in Description of Provenanceclick to open link.