Joe is good to remember this paper, and I appreciate the "terrific"! The paper was more or less a review of the 3rd edition of the Norton Critical Edition of Huck Finn. I noted some good points in it, but most were negative, and one negative point was the inclusion of the raftsmen's passage. As I recall, my arguments were based on authorial intention, but even more on the way this long passage takes away from Huck's voice--quite the longest passage that has us lose the sound of Huck's voice. The second edition of the NCE included the passage, but as a separate session, along with arguments for and against. I found that much the better solution. I'll be interested to hear the rationale for inclusion from the Mark Twain Papers--althoug as I recall, they explain that in the big version of HF. I'll send the paper to you when I get home, Hal. And an aside to my friend Jim Caron: no, I did not come to Hawaii and snub you! I'm on Maui, at least until tomorrow. I'll be hanging around the airport tomorrow if you want! :) John P.S. Saw quotations from Mark Twain all over the place this week...