My daughter was telling me about reading a paper on the Library Bill of Rights for her library school class and was happy to tell me that it concluded with a Mark Twain quote. On request, she dug it up: "Mark Twain observes: "It is by the goodness of God that in our country we have those three unspeakable precious things: freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and the prudence never to practice either of them" (Bartlett, 1992, p.527). His meaning is clear - it is impossible to maintain a civil society where all people fully exercise their rights uninhibited by self-restraint. Without forbearance, self discipline and good manners, no community can flourish." (The Library Bill of Rights - a critique. Gordon B. Baldwin. Library Trends 45.n (Summer 1996):pp7(21)) I had a rather violent reaction. Seemed to me the author implies that this quotation shows Twain's acceptance of such "prudence", and this was how my daughter interpreted it, as well. I declared it pure sarcasm. Twain was often tolerant of foibles, but I can't remember him ever accepting anything that constitutes serious injury to the human race, damned or not. But perhaps it's my memory or my interpretation that is at fault. Couldn't think of a better place to discover this than here. All comment welcome and gratefully received. Justine Roberts