The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-12-15

uOunO = CneS6 are
the elements which have entered into
the thousand and one thrilling tales
which make up the capital stock of the
boys own weekliee" and the popular
family story papers. But while the fig
ure itself is familiar one, it has re-
malned for Mr.. Conan Doyle to invest
the detective and his mysterious busi-
ness with new and fascinating air and
manner. No reader of Sherlock Holmes,
can fail to testify to the fascination
which Mr.. Doyle has succeeded in CIV
ing to parsonage who had previously
become somewhat dull and common
place. 1t takes high order of genius to
effect result like that.
DIR. Doyle was born in Edinburgh in
1859, and came of line of artists His
grandfather. John Doyle, was the cele-
brated III. b. whose political skits we're
SO famous that many of them have since
been purchased at large prices by the
British Museum. All his sons were ar
lists, and Conan Doyle's fathers sigma
ture of 3D. with little bird perched
upon it may be seen upon the cover de-
sign of Punch.
His son went to school at Stonyhurst
In Lancashire, then studied in Germany,
and finally completed his medical educa-
tion at the University of Edinburgh
Africa, the Arctic seas, and many parts
OF Europe have been visited by him.
His first story was accepted when he
was nineteen years old, and his first
book, "a Study in Scarlet" was after the
customary rejection sold outright for
S125. Then came micah Clarke then
''The Sign of the Four" then ''The
White Company and so his reputation
was firmly established. DR.. Bell of
Edinburgh is the original of Sherlock
| Holmes
1t is not to be inferred from what has
previously been said that DIR. Doyle's
sole claim to literary fame and popu-
larity rests upon his detective stories.
These writings have served perhaps
more than any other to give him the
stamp OF striking originality. but he
has done other work which takes
higher rank when judged from purely
literary point of view. In "The White
Company" and in Micah Clarke" DR..
Doyle has produced narratives which
fasten the interest from the very begin
ming, and which are yet such careful
studies of the times and men they de-
pict, as to be preferable even in this
respect, to most of our professedly real
istic novels which pretend to no higher
merit than making us minutely familiar
with the lives and characters of our
butchers, bakers and candlestick- makers
The characters of "Sir Nigel Loring
and Horde John" are inimitable. DR..
| Doyle gives two years as the time spent
in studying, and 115 as the number of
works read or consulted in preparation
for this romance of the times of Edward
III. The English archer is its central
fgure-a type of soldier whose relative
superiority has never been approached,
and before whom the then military
world lay practically helpless.
/ 1t will doubtless be found to be true
that DR.. Doyle has added much to his
popularity, both as an author and as a
man, by his lectures and readings in
this country. which have just been
brought to close. The thousands who
have seen him and heard his voice will
not forget his frank, cordial and hearty
manner, and the unique charm of his
| personal presence. He has taken his
audiences into his confidence and made
them his friends. 1t is rarely that an
author succeeds as a public reader.
Dickens was notable exception to
this rule. The late George William
Curtis could read his own writings in a
way that added greatly to their interest
and charm. Among living writer's
Charles Dudley Warner, George Cable
and Samuel j. Clemens may be regarded
as successful public readers But when
these are named. and perhaps one or two
others, the list is exhausted General
Lew Wallace attempted a course of pub
lie readings from ben Hur" few years,
ago, but he made distinct failure of it.
w. d. Howells. Frank r. Stock on, and
Thomas Nelson Page took part in a Sc
ries of authors readings in New York a
few years ago. and convinced themselves,
doubtless. as they certainly did their
hearers, that they were out of their sle-
ment on the public platform. Dr. Doyle,
however. belongs to the class OF excep.
tions. He has the voice. the presence.
the manner of a successful and popular
public speaker. and is never more inter
esting than when interpreting his own
works. There are many interesting
things which could be written about DR..
Doyle-his love Of boxing, cricket, and
all manly sports, and his uncompromis-
ing attitude toward those who seek to
discourage them; but there is room for
only word in closing. The author who
is at once romancer and novelist; who is
at home not only in the England of to-
day. but in the Scotland of George III.
the France Of Louis XIV, the America
of Frontenac. the England Of James IL.
and the France and England OF Edward
Ill; who has given so many happy hours
and soothed so many unhappy ones that
it is fair to say he does his duty as phy-
q. s..u 80. "a Al z.