The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-16

DIR. Doyle Chats About His Dend
Friend, Sherlock Holmes.

Friend, Sherlock Holmes.
DR.. A. Conan Doyle, very big and very
manly, talked Of himself and his books for
over an hour at Plymouth Church, last
night, ~interpolating an occasional extract
from his famous stories. There were very
few unoccupied seats, and these were the
undesirable ones in the rear Of the church.
The audience was one that keenly appre-
ciated the privilege Of holding communion
with the novelist at short range, and when
the name of that shrewd, calculating man,
Sherlock Holmes. deceased, was mentioned
the audience applauded smartly. The lee
turer was best known to his Indianapolis
friends as the creator Of that wonderful
man. and his process Of Analysing the re-
markable analyzer was a satisfactory treat,
indeed.
A word about DR.. Doyle; the living DR..
Doyle, before the lamented Mr.. Holmes.
lie is just as bluff and as broad as one
would have a typical Scotchman; neither
graceful nor awkward with his avoirdupois.
but of a pleasing address. The camera has
truly given the world a correct likeness of
him. for he would be instantly recognized
by any one who has seen the photographic
reproductions of his photographs. A broad
iowl and a prominent forehead suggest
strong character, while an innocent sort of
a broad face drives away all thoughts of
mysteries and ~uncanniness with which he
has interested people through his great de-
tective- He would be taken for a blunt
fellow, little given 10 the subtle plotting OF
such stories as he has written. And as he
explains Sherlock Holiness mode / rea-
puerile-like Christopher Columbus's famous
egg trick OF course il is very simple wnen
it is all explained, and to snow just how
easy il is DIR. Doyle gave his auditors this
little Sherlock Holmes problem to WORK out.
a wad of tobacco is found on the street.
"Ah." says Mr.. Holmes. this is from a
Doyle, without venturing an elucidation.
President Feibleman, of the Montefiore
Society, introduced the author, after refer
ring in a few words to the opening OF the
society's lecture course. The organist had
entertained the audience with selections
from "Tannhauser." while awaiting DR..
Doyle's appearance, and as the novelist
stepped on the rostrum he encountered an
applause which was mingled with the heavy
After tucking his blood-red handkerchief
under the waistcoat of his evening dress,
DR.. Doyle fumbled his manuscript awhile,
and then advanced to the little table. Like
one scanning the distant horizon ne began
his lecture, neither looking TO the right nor
TO the left. nor down or up. The man TAX
scrutiny of his gaze. First he modesuy
explained that he spoke of himself and
generally interested in his views of other
peoples works. Perhaps he was better un-
derstood as a story teller than as a critic.
William Makepeace Thackeray visited the
house Of DR.. Doyle's father when the au-
thor of Sherlock Holmes" was just four
years old. This incident brought A Conan
Doyle his first Introduction to the world OF
letters, and at the age of six he had so
rapidly improved his opportunities that he
produced a story about a man and a tiger.
Without that logical turn OF mind which he
now possesses. he had the tiger and the
man SO badly involved that there was noth-
ing left but the tiger. The problem OF ex-
Treating the man from the tiger was never
solved, and this early manuscript is proba-
bly, stored away In some old bureau drawer.
Then began a pretty story OF his boyhood
days at ''old Edinboro.' where he dreamed
over yolumes of Scott, went after deer
with Fenimore Cooper. and sailed into dis
tant seas with Captain Ma-ryatt. At the
age of seventeen he went down TO London
to study medicine. In 1873 his first story
was accepted by a provincial magazine. but
for ten years he struggled for 2 brilliant
success which did not come TIL the end OF
that decade of hardest work The Corn
hin Magazine accepted one of his first short
stories, but the only criticism [ elected
was this: "Cornhili this month publishes
a story that would make turn
in his grave" 1T was about this time"
said the speaker, 81 first reached the con-
ciusion that English criticism was in its
decay"
Then taking up Sherlock Holmes" he
said:
About this gentleman. / must say he was
a very good friend 10 me-, And in killing
Mr. Sherlock Holmes. OF Baker street.
| I'm afraid 1 acted rather scurvily- Indeed.