Oct 1994 Forum files show that Bierce and Twain knew each other from
Twain's San Francisco days.  Was Twain aware of Bierce's comments?  I
would think Harte, or someone, would be unable to resist passing it on?

_The M.T.  Encyclopedia_ (80-81) notes "Bierce actually established
aesthetic standards of language and literature that move toward the
modern. . . . His writings are filled with epigrams that, because of their
civilized wit and satiric intensity, meant to abuse their object, are
similar to but better than Mark Twain's aphorisms."

Also, according to the _Encylopedia_, Bierce married a Nevada miner's
daughter in 1872 and went to London where he continued his friendship with
Twain.  Did he follow Twain's lead and marry rich?

And why does Bierce biographer, Morris, call Twain "inoffensive"?  Perhaps
the biggest insult.

I'm just amazed at Bierce's comments--which appear to be dangerously close
to the truth--and would like to know more.

"People who wish to throw stones should not live in glass houses"
--Ambrose Bierce in  _Mark Twain's Library of Humor_, p. 558.

larry marshburne