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Subject:
From:
David Gershon Leventhal <[log in to unmask]>
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Date:
Mon, 1 Dec 1997 18:34:07 -0800
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In _Letters from the Earth_ (Letter VIII), Samuel Clemens
discusses religion and sex. He starts out by mocking the
commandment: Thou shalt not commit adultery; he 'worries'
about how the lady goat is not safe from fornication 'even on
the Sabbath Day, when there is a gentleman goat within three
miles to leeward of her'. He continues and eventually arrives
at human sexual relations:

'The law of god, as quite plainly expressed in women's contruction,
is this: There shall be no limit ... [on your sexual relations].

'The law of god, as quite plainly expressed in man's contruction, is
this: ... you shall be under ... limits and restrictions, sexually.

'...from the time a woman is seven years old till she dies of old age,
she is ready for action, and competent. As competent as the candlestick
is to receive the candle. ... every day, ... every night. Also she wants
that candle - yearns for it, longs for it, ... as commanded by the law
of god in her heart.

'But man is only briefly competent; ... from the age of sixteen or
seventeen thenceforward for thirty-five years. After fifty his
performance is of poor quality, the intervals between are wide, and its
satisfactions of no great value to either party; whereas his
great-grandmother is as good as new.'

As evident, this is quite 'explicit' for Clemens' age. He continues and
discusses Solomon, and his 'seven hundred wives and three hundred
concubines'. He also defines a eunuch as 'a person whose candle has been
put out. By art.'

Clemens also discusses nudity in Letter III (Adam and Eve realizing that
they are not clothed). I hope I have been of help to Dennis Kelly and
whomever else was interested in this subject. There is another place
where Clemens discusses his own sexual habits; I believe he does a
pro/con argument. I have not found that yet. Please E-mail me with any
questions.

Thanks,

David Gershon Leventhal

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