I want to take the time now to apologize to all Twain-L list
subscribers for the tone and wording of my posting of Aug. 20 1993.
I especially regret my use of the phrase 'academic yobbos'. I realize that
the tone and course of the list must be set by the users.
        That said however, I must restate my distaste at what I consider
a prurient and shabby attack on the character of our greatest American
novelist. What can be the point of such revelations? Perhaps a closer
examination of the historical context of such allegations may be in order.
        Let us all try to maintain a level of dignity and of reasonable
discourse in our postings in future.

Edward Dotson