That is an interesting, and quite obscure, reference, Barb--thanks.

Also discussed in H. Baetzhold's MT & John Bull;  and Joe Fulton's MT in the
Margins.  Walter Blair has an early essay on Carlyle and Huck Finn.

Baetzhold suggests that MT turned to Carlyle's wonderful rendition of those
tumultuous times to take his mind off of his suffering.  Also quotes Paine's
memory of MT's opinion of Carlyle as history's great stump speaker.

Other ideas??

Harold K. Bush, Ph.D
Saint Louis University
St. Louis, MO