This seems the most likely explanation but requires a typo or mis-identification on somebody's part; Nathaniel is not Richard. On 10/9/23 15:33, Barbara Schmidt wrote: > Scott, > > This is likely in reference to the Webster & Co. publication of this book > in 1888 -- listed in my article online at > > http://twainquotes.com/websterco.html > > Burton, Rev. Nathaniel J., *Yale Lectures on Preaching and Other Writings* > > Barb > > > > On Mon, Oct 9, 2023 at 5:14 PM Scott Holmes<[log in to unmask]> wrote: > >> There is an entry in Day By Day for May 17, 1788 that has me >> puzzled:*May 17 Thursday* – *Frederick J. Hall** for Webster & >> Co.* wrote to Sam: “Your favor received, also the watch. We will pay the >> Burton bill, the bill for composition and electrotyping on the Burton >> book, and also send you invoice for the watch. We have forwarded a copy >> of ‘The Library of Humor’.” Other finances were discussed [MTP]. /Note/: >> *Richard E. Burton*. >> >> Who is this Burton and what book did he write? This cannot be Richard >> F. Burton, who figures so much in my treatment of Sam Clemens' travels >> to Carson City. >> -- >> /Unaffiliated Geographer and Twain aficionado/ >> -- /Unaffiliated Geographer and Twain aficionado/