Read it the day it came out! Excellent piece by Twain. Ironically, events after his own death proved the thesis of his essay only partly true. He writes that while the living cannot truly practice free speech while alive, lest he run afoul of public opinion, the dead are not so constrained. However, for decades after Twain's death many of his most controversial writings remained suppressed by his daughter Clara and other "protectors" of the Mark Twain popular legacy. Ironic indeed. And pleasing to know, eventually Twain has had his way (or at least what one presumes would be his way, as a deceased author!) Steve Hoffman Takoma Park MD