Editor's Comment

Editor's Comment This special number of Studies in American Fiction, devoted entirely to papers on Mark Twain, is presented as our participation in the national recognition of the centennial of the publication of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, indisputably one of the great novels in American literature. Since we first issued a call for papers two years ago, we have read several scores of essays on Twain, many of which made a meaningful contribution to the field, and not all of which could be published here. The articles we have chosen for publication cover a broad range of concerns in Twain scholarship and represent the widest possible spectrum of scholars, from those well established in the field, recognized as authorities on Twain throughout the world, to younger scholars only beginning to take their place in the field of literary study. We are honored to publish all of them. We are pleased to be associated with them. This issue also represents the results of a particularly active collaboration on the part of the editorial boards of the journal, who were required to read papers at an accelerated rate and in increased numbers for a period of months. Although everyone associated with the journal contributed to that effort, we are particularly grateful to Millicent Bell, Roger Asselineau, James J. Martine, Harrison T. Meserole, Donald Pizer, and Linda Wagner for their special efforts on this number. At Northeastern University I should like to acknowledge the assistance of Earl Harbert, Guy Rotella, Paul C. Wermuth, and Irene Fairley in helping to select the final essays from the legions of those submitted and for contributing their counsel to the final shape of this issue. It is always a pleasure to work with colleagues who are also special friends. Finally, Mary Morley Armato, Catherine Adamowicz, and Kate Hogan of the SAF office gave freely of their energies and time in assisting with the production of this issue. Without their dedication and cheerful assistance, there would be no special issue of this journal. * * * I have been asked to call the attention of our readers to three Twain items that may be of interest. The first is a conference, "Mark Twain and His America ," at Siena College, December 12-13, 1985. Write to Francis V. Madigan, Department of English, Loudonville, New York 12211. Justin Kaplan has published a booklet entitled Born to Trouble: One Hundred Years of Huckleberry Finn that deals with the intriguing story of the censorship of the novel, a matter of increasing concern in a broader context today. The pamphlet is available free from the Library of Congress, Central Services Division, Washington, D.C. 20540. Finally, Virginia City, Nevada, is not letting this centennial pass without local celebration. They are featuring a "Mark Twain Sesquicentennial Celebration " November 29-30, 1985. A related publication is a special issue of the Territorial Enterprise entitled "Mark Twain Lives," which may be purchased for $2.50. It contains many of the articles Twain wrote for that newspaper in the early years of his career. Write to Territorial Enterprise, Virginia City, Nevada 89440. J.N. ...