Accepting the toast with a glass of Smithwick's Irish lager, I make a different tie between Twain and Lincoln. In appointing Sam Clemens' older brother Orion Clemens as Secretary of Nevada Territory in 1861, President Abraham Lincoln set in motion a series of events which led to Samuel L. Clemens developing into Mark Twain. Thus I consider Twain to be Abraham Lincoln's great gift to American Literature. Bob Stewart In a message dated 11/30/2012 12:17:30 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, [log in to unmask] writes: I just poured a neat little glass of Bushmill's Honey (A drink that Twain would surely approve), and I am drinking a virtual toast with most of you for the Lincoln of our literature, whose views are as relevant today as they were a hundred years ago. Bottoms up! Terry Ballard Author and Leisure Studies Manager http://www.terryballard.org Author of the book "Google this" http://googlethisforlibraries.com "My memory has a mind of its own."