Thanks, Harold, I have the Keyes book, and note with interest how the religious (scholars and non-scholars alike) in the USA have recently identified and tackled cynicism. Jim Cleveland's short book titled "Beyond Cynicism: Liberating Voices From The Spirit Within" is another good example. Perhaps the best academic works I have seen on the topic of cynicism are Cynicism and Postmodernity, by Timothy Bewes and Cynicism from Diogenes to Dilbert, by Ian Cutler I agree with your point about the deaths of those close to Twain, and his own ill health compounding Twain's angst in his final years. I believe that what I am driving at has to do with his outlook toward humanity, outside of his personal circles, as it evolved particularly during the second half of his public life and works. But Twain always seemed to me to be hopeful that aspects of his own life would work out, even though many did not. Steve Crawford School of Cultural Studies Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences