Dr. Conan Doyle in Glasgow (article 29 november 1893)
Dr. Conan Doyle in Glasgow is an article published in the Scottish Leader on 29 november 1893.
Report of a lecture "Facts about Fiction" given by Arthur Conan Doyle on 28 november 1893 at the Queen's Park U.P. Church (Glasgow, UK).
Dr. Conan Doyle in Glasgow
Under the auspices of the Queen's Park Literary Association Dr. A. Conan Doyle lectured last night in Queen's Park U.P. Church, Crosshill, Glasgow on "Facts about Fiction." Dr. Doyle referred to the writing of fiction generally, and noted the fact that among living authors those who were clever writers of short stories greater length. There were exceptions however, to this rule but more in France than in England. Dr. Doyle instanced R. Louis Stevenson as not only the most notable exception to this rule, but also as the greatest of living fiction writers. After quoting a few notable passages from Mr. Stevenson's books, Dr. Doyle went on to speak in eulogistic terms of Miss Olive Schreiner, the authoress of "The Story of an African Farm," describing her as one of the cleverest, of women writers. Concerning J. M. Barrie, Dr. Doyle said that in him Scotland had a writer whose works would be handed down from century to century and of "Q" the lecturer declared that he had few equals as a writer of short stories. Dr. Doyle was awarded a hearty vote of thanks.
An eminent diplomat, who has recently paid his respects to the Pope, has confessed that, after not seeing his Holiness for some time, the first shock of the apparent change in Leo XIII's appearance was considerable, but that this soon octogenarian more lively and witty than ever. That he is pale and emaciated is undeniable, but this has been the Pope's appearance for a long time. It is impossible to deny that it gives to those who see the Pontiff for the first time a painful impression. Under his air of sickness is, however, concealed a singularly strong constitution to which the present weather is none the lees trying.
