Barring a "Secret Diary", we will never know Clemen's sexual preference for certain, but it is NOT a ridiculous notion that he might have dabbled - many of the intelligencia of the day did - stated opinion or otherwise (it was not uncommon to denouce such things in public with cries of "sodomite", "unnatural", and even "nitwit", while revelling in them behind closed closet doors). But this is idle speculation. There is no evidence to directly suggest that he was "so" inclined. I believe the gentleman was objecting because your vehement disavowal implied that the suggestion of Clemens being gay was in some way an insult (which it is not), and that your tone carried the sulphurous stench of homophobia at worst, and intellectual elitism at best, into the sacred and democratic precints of scholarly debate. Correct me if I'm wrong. As long as it is on topic (or within a reasonable tangent) why not discuss the possibility? I for one would be interested to see what bent that would put on some of his character relationships. Any takers? Oop. Home again home again, jiggity jig. Cheers! Sarge