This is not related to Twain's reading of Don Quixote but might be of interest as a later indirect influence of the novel. An interesting chain of inspiration began with the idea that Twain might become "a new Cervantes" who could end militarism and war with his satire. The first three paragraphs are from Mutual Inspiration: Twain, Crosby, and Beard on American Imperialism http://www.boondocksnet.com/ai/twain/twain_crosby_beard.html Mark Twain's early anti-imperialist statements led to a little-known episode of mutual inspiration involving Twain, Anti-Imperialist League of New York President Ernest Crosby, and Dan Beard, illustrator of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. On January 16, 1901, three days after Twain joined the Anti-Imperialist League of New York, Ernest Crosby gave a speech on "The Absurdities of Militarism" at a peace conference held at Tremont Temple in Boston. During the speech, he noted that Cervantes ended the literature of chivalry with the satire in Don Quixote and suggested that "a new Cervantes" should arise to destroy militarism by making it equally laughable. "There is an opportunity today for a new Cervantes to perform a far greater exploit than has ever been ascribed to the Spanish author. A new Don Quixote might, nay, could, make the profession of war impossible by opening our eyes to the irresistible comicality of it. Mr. Dooley has done excellent work in this direction. Mark Twain has given some evidence of his insight into the truth. Will not one of these gentlemen, or some other genius yet to be discovered, turn his winged shafts squarely against war and the war-maker?" After the speech, two officers of the New England Anti-Imperialist League who were in the audience suggested to Crosby that he write the book himself. He agreed, and completed Captain Jinks, Hero, before the end of the year. It was the first of only two anti-imperialist novels published during the Philippine-American War. Dan Beard illustrated the novel, and in December of 1901 he asked his friend Mark Twain to review it. Crosby's novel and Beard's illustrations are closely related to Twain's writings of early 1901, with sections on hazing at West Point, the business of imperialism, and missionary activities in China. In Dan Beard's illustration "A Blood Brotherhood," a figure representing the Trusts holds a barrel labeled "For Him Who Sits in Darkness" that is full of unjust tax bills, government by injunction, whiskey and beer. Twain's review of the novel was very brief and focused on one chapter satirizing Frederick Funston's deceitful capture of Filipino General Emilio Aguinaldo. The novel that was partly inspired by Twain ended up inspiring Twain. In a private note at the end of the review, Twain added, "I wrote a short article about Funston last night -- for the May North American." That was the beginning of "A Defence of General Funston." Twain had been working on a serious review of a biography of Aguinaldo. After reading the novel he decided to try his hand at a satire of Funston and took a section about Aguinaldo's capture from the review to begin the satire. Jim Zwick