Philip Beidler's entry on Twain's satire in the _MT Encyclopedia_
intrigues me. Is it truly the critical consensus that the post-_PW_
work is weak satire, and merely burlesque? Can anyone recommend
any criticism espousing the strength of Twain's satire in his last
fifteen years? I believe this period contains some of the most
sophisticated satire in literature. Any comments?

Chuck Stanion