A Literary Mosaic (ACD Journal vol. 1 No. 2)
A Literary Mosaic [Vol. 1 No. 2] is an article written by Christopher Roden published in the A.C.D. - The Journal of The Arthur Conan Doyle Society (Vol. 1 No. 2, march 1990).
This article is a press roundup gathering short Conan Doyle-related notices from newspapers and magazines, including medical references, cricket, the Oscar Slater case, and a newly found letter.
A Literary Mosaic
"What ineffable twaddle!"
A review of The Faber Book of Fevers and Frets appeared in The Economist of 23 December 1989. Although we have not seen this particular volume, it appears that this medically oriented anthology has one glaring omission. The reviewer concludes his contribution in the following way:
- "And although querulous carping may well be diagnosed as the book reviewer's form of housemaid's knee or creative writer's cramp, one must protest at the complete omission of the author of "Tales of Medical Life". Conan Doyle gave the world the most widely known medical man in all literature, the faithful chronicler of Sherlock Holmes's career, Dr. Watson. Is it contended that this was not really literature? "What ineffable twaddle!"
Familiar Words
The following letter from Mr. James Wallace of Brighton, Sussex, recently appeared in The Sunday Express:
- "While recently re-reading Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Refugees", I came across the following passage in Chapter 30, when he was describing the Iroquois Indians:
- "Never, perhaps, in the world's history, has so small a body of men dominated so large a district for so long a time."
- This phrasing was very reminiscent of a famous speech made in 1940. I was even more intrigued to read in the publisher's blurb on the inside page of the cover, a quote by Sir Winston Churchill to the effect that although he had read all the Sherlock Holmes, he still preferred Conan Doyle's historical novels."
Devilish Line in Dog Collars
From the Daily Express of 27 November 1989:
- Gold-chained Pit Bull Terrier and Doberman owners will surely be shouldering their way into Sotheby's next month in the hope of securing the ultimate dog-collar a mantle inspired by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's mystery, Hound of the Baskervilles.
- The large black leather collar with studs and buckles and attached metal plate engraved with the words Derby the Devil was given to Sir Arthur by Jerome K. Jerome.
- By family tradition, Derby the Devil was the mastiff which inspired The Hound of the Baskervilles. The collar is expected to make £800.
- Holmes fans also have a chance to pick up his dressing gown. This was owned by Sidney Pagett(sic) and used as the model for some of his illustrations of Sherlock Holmes. It used to be kept at the reconstruction of 221B Baker Street at the Sherlock Holmes pub.
- Conan Doyle described the dressing gown in "The Man with the Twisted Lip" as "large and blue".
- Pagett(sic) allowed himself a measure of licence. The one being sold is light brown check. It is also patched and somewhat moth-eaten, but is still expected to fetch around £4,000.
Editor's note: Definitely no more shaggy dog stories in the next issue!
The alluring grace of W. G.
The 27 October 1915 edition of the London Times carried an appreciation of Dr. W. G. Grace, "The Greatest of Cricketers" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
This article was reprinted in The Times of 5 August 1989 in a special article of recollections from The Times of two of the greatest cricketers whose mastery was second to none.
New light to be shed on Oscar Slater case?
The case papers questioning the evidence on which Oscar Slater was committed were released at the end of 1989. The papers, which include letters from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle requesting the Secretary of State, John Sinclair, later Lord Pentland, to re-open the case, were among a batch of 100-year closures reduced to a 75-year limit last year.
Lengthy contributions on the subject of the Slater papers appeared in The Scotsman of 1 January 1990, and The Glasgow Herald of 6 January 1990.
Newly Found Conan Doyle Letter
The Crowborough and North Weald Weekly News Magazine for the week ended 2 March 1990 carries the following front-page article:
- A previously unknown letter from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to a Mr. Holroyd, has recently come to light. It is thought to refer to his son Adrian's joining of Crowborough Beacon Golf Club. It also gives details of 2 cups given by Sir Arthur and Lady Jean. It is dated 2 January 1930. The headed notepaper gives the address as "Windlesham, Crowborough, Sussex. Tel. No.77".
- A copy of this letter has been given to the Conan Doyle (Crowborough) Establishment by Sandy Cameron Esq., to whom they are indebted for bringing this information to their attention. It reads:
- "My dear Holroyd,
- It seems wrong to pay five and half guineas for a youth who is most unlikely to play 3 times a year. I'll pay when he plays. On the other hand I would like to give five guineas for a cup, and another five in my wife's name for a lady cup, to promote sport. Is that agreeable? A. Conan Doyle.
- Although Adrian would have been 20 at the time, he was still, then, a youth in their(sic) eyes of all, until he was 21. Sir Arthur died on July 7th, 1930, and was buried in his Crowborough garden. He had lived in Crowborough 23 years.
The Editors would like to thank Jon Lellenberg, Frank Gray and Malcolm Payne for contributions from the press which appear above.
- Article courtesy Christopher Roden, founder of The Arthur Conan Doyle Society (1989-2003).
