Does anyone know of, and perhaps can direct my attention to the location of, a couple of minor pieces by MT --both mentioned by the late Lou Budd in his still amazingly relevant and useful book MT: Social Philosopher: "Brief Biography of the Government" & "A Difficult Conundrum"? (both around the turn of century) Prof. Budd also asserts in this book that Puddn'head Wilson's use of lynching was somehow spurred onward by the infamous lynching of eleven Italians in New Orleans, March 1891, but he gives no reason for this assertion. Any ideas about this possible connection; or evidence that Twain had this specific incident in mind as he wrote PW? thanks, -hb -- Harold K. Bush, Ph.D Professor of English Saint Louis University St. Louis, MO 63108 314-977-3616 (w); 314-771-6795 (h) <www.slu.edu/x23809.xml>