I want to take the time now to apologize to all Twain-L list subscribers for the tone and wording of my posting of Aug. 20 1993. I especially regret my use of the phrase 'academic yobbos'. I realize that the tone and course of the list must be set by the users. That said however, I must restate my distaste at what I consider a prurient and shabby attack on the character of our greatest American novelist. What can be the point of such revelations? Perhaps a closer examination of the historical context of such allegations may be in order. Let us all try to maintain a level of dignity and of reasonable discourse in our postings in future. Edward Dotson