From: orost@paul.rutgers.edu (Joe)
Newsgroups: alt.fan.holmes
Subject: Copper Beeches
Date: 17 Nov 92 12:47:17 GMT
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.

So what are "Copper Beeches"?  I kept looking for something metal.
However, the dictionary now leads me to trees!

According to the book: "A clump of copper beeches immediately in front of
the hall door has given its name to the place."

BTW, I just bought "The Annotated Sherlock Holmes" for $19.95 in a discount 
warehouse store.  It is fascinating!  However, its size and weight make it
somewhat unwieldy.

I find it much more satisfying to read the story AFTER I see the TV show.
Last week I read it BEFORE and it ruined all of the suspense to the
show - I found myself just seeing how the show differed from the book.  I
practicly knew every line they uttered!

This week, I saw the Copper Beeches first, then read the story.  Much better
this way.  Now I can be held in suspense by the TV show, and still
enjoy the story: also I do find that some of the annotations in the
book interrupt the story constantly (i.e., they are always deducing
from little things when the story took place, and they give descriptions
of every town and road mentioned).

The TV show added to the suspense by making no mention of the Daughter
until close to the end.  In the book, the daughter was mentioned in the
(rather lengthy) letter to Violet from J. Rucastle:

		"THE COPPER BEECHES, NEAR WINCHESTER.
	"DEAR MISS HUNTER,--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your
	address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have
	reconsidered your decision.  My wife is very anxious that
	you should come, for she has been much attracted by my
	description of you.  We are willing to give thirty pounds a
	quarter, or L120 a year, so as to recompense you for any little 
	inconvenience which our fads may cause you.  They are not very 
	exacting after all.  My wife is fond of a particular shade 
	of electric blue, and and would like you to wear such a dress 
	indoors in the morning.  You need not, however, go to the 
	expense of purchasing one, as we have one belonging to my 
	dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia) which would, I 
	should think, fit you very well.  Then, as to sitting here 
	or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that 
	need cause you no inconvenience.  As regards your hair, it 
	is no doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking 
	its beauty during our short interview, but I am afraid that 
	I must remain firm upon this point, and I only hope that the
	increased salary may recompense you for the loss.  Your
	duties, as far as the child is concerned, are very light.
	Now do try to come, and I shall meet you with the dog-cart
	at Winchester.  Let me know your train.--Your faithfully,
					" JEPHRO RUCASTLE


I liked it better NOT knowing what could be in that dreary upstairs
room.

                                regards,
                                joe

--
Full Name:    Joseph M. Orost
EMail:        joe@echologic.com, orost@paul.rutgers.edu
Organization: Echo Logic
SurfaceMail:  943 Holmdel Rd.; Cruz Plaza; Holmdel, NJ 07733
Phone:        +1 (908) 946-1115
Newsgroups: alt.fan.holmes