A Duet with an Occasional Chorus (ACD Journal vol. 2 No. 2)
A Duet with an Occasional Chorus [Vol. 2 No. 2] is an article written by David Stuart Davies published in the A.C.D. - The Journal of The Arthur Conan Doyle Society (Vol. 2 No. 2, autumn 1991).
This closing editorial reflects on renewed posthumous interest in Arthur Conan Doyle and frames the growth of the Arthur Conan Doyle Society as, in a metaphorical sense, a way for him still to "speak" to later generations. It links that revival especially to debate around Conan Doyle's Spiritualism, while also celebrating the new scholarship and discoveries that are deepening understanding of his life and writings.
Editorial
Closing Editorial
Joe Cooper, author of The Case of the Cottingley Fairies is a controversial figure, dealing as he does, in his straight from the shoulder way, with Spiritualism. His credentials in this area are impressive. Whenever the fit is upon him to give forth, throwing sparks into the firework box, his bright eyes, set within that rugged, lugubrious, northern face, twinkle with mischief. With practised aplomb, he gives voice to challenging, contentious and, sometimes, outrageous statements, enjoying the conflict these provoke. However, he is an honest man and believes passionately in what he says.
Amongst the many confusing, mind-stretching, infuriating and tantalising things he said at the Sunday morning session in Barnsley was something which rather took my fancy. This is not to say that I take on board the concept exactly as Mr Cooper presented it, but I find a variation of his idea rather engaging. What do I mean? Well, on the Spiritualist front, a question which is often raised is, that, considering ACD's passion for Spiritualism why, with the exception of the isolated instance of the Tweedale messages, has he never communicated with this world since his death in 1930? There are, I am sure, many responses to this query, all, to a large extent, depending on one's own personal beliefs. However, Joe Cooper came up with an intriguing reply to the old chestnut. Why is it, he asked, that at this time, sixty years after ACD's death, should there be an upsurge of interest in the man and his works? Why, after such a long gap when nothing was officially done to honour and elevate the author's name, should The Arthur Conan Doyle Society be formed and seen to prosper? This, claims Mr Cooper, is one tangible way in which ACD is speaking to us.
I don't really want to get into a debate here regarding the acceptable nature of this premise on either a spiritual or ethereal front; I would rather like to look at it on a more practical (mundane, if you like) and, perhaps, metaphorical level. The Arthur Conan Doyle Society, formed but a few years ago, is certainly increasing the conscious awareness of the man and, in attracting scholars like Owen Dudley Edwards and Pierre Nordon, along with such prominent authors as Julian Symons, Robert Barnard and John Mortimer, we are learning more about the author, his life and his writings than ever before. Fresh revelations come to the editorial desk with amazing regularity, giving clearer insight, greater knowledge and finer understanding.
It's taken a long time over sixty years but, in a sense, (whichever sense you wish to acknowledge) Arthur Conan Doyle is speaking to us and the voice is growing clearer.
David Stuart Davies.
- Article courtesy Christopher Roden, founder of The Arthur Conan Doyle Society (1989-2003).
