I would like to echo John Bird's sentiments about the success of the Elmira Conference. The people attending were ample testimony that the Twain scholars are indeed a lively and congenial group as opposed, say, to the Kafka society. As John pointed out, especially memorable was the first great Twain smokeout, which took place on the original site of the octagonal study. It was truly a spiritual experience, replete with accompanying thunder and lightening, with Twain (it was believed by some) making a guest appearance. So moved were we by the experience, that we were left choked up. Joe McCullough