Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-10-16
"Our American Adventure"
Sir Arthur Urges England to Abandon Cricket for
Base Ball, After Observations in United States,
and Exchanges Spirit Views With Ex-Bandit.
BY SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE.

produced, who suddenly developed
tubercle, and whose fluctuations of
health In his sanatorium at the Adj
rondacks are now a matter OF ma
tional concern. He has taken his mis-
fortune with such philosophy and
cheerful bravery that his example is
really a fine one.
my New York lectures from an ex-
bandit When I heard that Mr.. Nor
rell had really been 4 bandit-or AT
least had been condemned as such-I
had to conceal 1t from the children.
as / was aware that they would re-
He proved, however, TO be very
gentle, clean shaver. open-faced man
with a considerable charm Of manner.
The only indication which ! observed
Of the truly frightful experiences
which he had undergone was curto-
Gus. quick, futtive way of making
gestures. 80 that when he wished to
emphasize a point, he seemed to wave
his hand. snap his fingers and rap
the table all at the same instant.
An Ex.Bansit spirftfst.
He was. as boy, a member of a
California outlaw gang. had been
captured and condemned to life i'm
prfsonment in San Quentin. Here.
as he was high-spirited lad. he
rebelled and was. as a consequence,
condemned to years of solitary life
in dark cell with occasional long
spells of torture by the brutal Jacket.
He found that while under torture
he could self-hypnotize himself and
separate his etheric body, which used
to live a separate life and a very
pleasant one. while his poor natural
body was cramped and twisted in this
horrible machine, the use of which is
or was sad blot upon the prison
record of California
The experiences of Morrell have
been wonderfully set forth in Jack
London's book called The Star
in England. He assured me that his
extra-corporeal wanderings had en-
tirely convinced him of the essential
truth of spiritualism and that he
had actually been able to establish
friendships with discarnate souls dur
ing his terrible ordeal. His condition
after these long bouts, when he was
strapped in for days as tightly as
three strong men could lace him into
the leather or canvas covering, must
have been such that it is marvellous
that he retained his reason. The
ulcers caused by uric acid alone made
formidable addition to his pains
or Morrell l shall have more TO say
hereafter
During this time. and. indeed
throughout the tour. We experienced
to the full that hospitality for which
America is famous. A stranger put
his motor car at our constant order.
Numerous Invitations both from pri-
vate individuals and from public
bodies. poured in. 1t was, of course.
impossible to accept them and vet to
do the strenuous work which the mis-
sion entailed. but / can here assure
my friends that we were by no means
unmindfui of their kindness.
i wish we could see more British
travellers over here. 1t would be good
for our insular mentality, and good
also for the Americans if our people
were only of the right type. Cnhap-
PLY. travellers are SO often carica-
resent. OF course. the difference in
exchange makes travelling difficult.
but the sterling is drawing up and
it will not be long before we get
level once more. with five good full
dollars for the British pound.
Travel here need not be very ex
pensive. There is good deal of ex-
aggeration over the matter. You
have. of course. to choose your hotel
and your room. In London if you
wish to economic YOU don't take
suite at Claridge's. For the modest
York where ten shillings will house
him for the night. Food. if one picks
ones dishes. is not much more than
in London. The cabs. which ] was
told were only used by millionaires.
are really not dear. and the ordinary
run does not cost more than two or
three shillings. The men are very
polite, and dime or two above the
price on the meter is all they expect.
Lady Doyle Praises shops.
Railways and buses are as cheap
as with us. My wife tells me that
ladies' requisites. especially hats, are
much cheaper and better than in
London. / fear that from our eN-
periences. both in Paris and in New
York. we breed the worst lot of
profiteers OF any capital city.
English ladies have TO remember
that every country has its own
methods of doing business. In New
York, when we had flying visit just
before the war, my wife asked the
shopman to send dozen blouses to
the hotel that she might try them
The shopman stared. but. with Amer
lean poiiteness. he obeyed. One blouse
was duly chosen and paid for. The
other eleven were returned.
The beautifully regulated machinery
Of the shop had no little cogwheel.
however, by which to record such an
unusual transa ction. Exceptions SIM
ply don't occur in a well-oiled bust
ness. Therefore it was that in
couple of days 1 received bill.
Towards twelve blouses Tor shirt
waists ] think they called them>.
1920" explained. But there was no
department for such explanations, 50
by the time we reached Montreal
more pressing bill arrived. Towards
twelve shirt waists was fed up
with shirt waists by that time and
took no notice. but 1 have no doubt
that to this day 1 am marked as a
defaulter who has escaped with twelve
shirt waists for which l never paid.
Moral: Do in country as the country
does.
On the whole the American shops
are excellent, though they seem IN
derstaffed. and the service is not SO
quick as in London. They have anus
ing ways of attracting customers.
I copied this card from a window near
the Ambassador Hotel:
Flowers for Sale.
Tea to Drink.
A psyche analyst to consult.
A regular party.
Do Come.