Conan Doyle in Town
Conan Doyle in Town is an article published in The Indianapolis Journal on 16 october 1894.
Report of the lecture "Readings and Reminiscences" given by Arthur Conan Doyle on 15 october 1894 at the Plymouth Congregational Church (Indianapolis, USA).
Report
THE AUTHOR LECTURES ABOUT HIMSELF AND HIS BOOKS.
Tells of His Friend Sherlock Holmes — James Whitcomb Riley's Opinion of Doyle.
Dr. A. Conan Doyle, author and lecturer, creator and executioner of the famous detective, "Sherlock Holmes," came to Indianapolis yesterday afternoon. Dr. Doyle arrived from Chicago at 6:30 o'clock. He was welcomed at the Union Station by a reception committee from the Montefiore Society, before which organization he lectured last night. Dr. Doyle is accompanied by his brother, W. Hay Doyle, of Plymouth, England. Both gentlemen alighted from a carriage at the Denison Hotel, walked briskly back to the desk and deposited two tan-colored valises with the air of the thrifty American "drummer." The famous author grasped the pen and wrote "A. Conan Doyle, London, Eng.," across the register. One of the first men to step up to the desk after Dr. Doyle had inscribed his name was James Whitcomb Riley, and a moment later the Hoosier poet had rescued the distinguished Briton from the fate prepared for him by two or three newspaper reporters. The meeting between the American poet and the English story writer was most happily timed and the remainder of the afternoon was devoted to a delightful interchange of literary gossip.
Dr. Doyle's pleasing personality strikes one at the first meeting. His powerful frame stand fully six feet. He has the florid face of the Briton and the blue eye and light hair of the Scotchman. The warm, almost crushing grasp of his hand is distinctly American. His attire is of the fashionable American cut, although his trousers are sadly lacking in the crease that marks the pantaloon of the American swell. Dr. Doyle speaks rapidly, and with the accent of the Scotchman. He discusses any topic that may present itself in a light, breezy way, but does not grow satirical. He is dignified, polite and unaffected in manner at all times. He likes America and the people of this country, and although he touched the shores of the new world less than a month ago, has amassed a prodigious amount of knowledge relative to the government and the people.
"The American people are charming,"
he said, "and I am delighted with everything I have seen. New York and Chicago are wonderful cities, and the hunting in the Adirondack mountains is enjoyable. This is my first trip to America, but I expect to come again, when my family will accompany me."
Dr. Doyle does not criticise the American people, and draws no comparison when speaking of his own country. He says that he has not yet seen enough to express his opinions as to customs. He does not talk about himself unless his interviewer insists upon it.
"I shall be pleased to talk of anything you propose,"
he continued. I know the character of the American reporter, I think, and if there is anything you want to know I will help you if it is possible."
"Sherlock Holmes? Well, he is dead. I am pleased to know that the American people regret the demise of my detective, but Sherlock Holmes will never appear again. It is quite natural, I think, that he should die, for you know we must all reach that state at some time."
"I have no definite literary plans in view at this time,"
the author said, when asked as to his future. "For some time I have been engaged in dramatic work. Henry Irving is now producing my play, "The Fall of Waterloo," in London. I cannot say positively that the piece will be produced in America, although I think it probable that Mr. Irving will come over here again. I like dramatic work very much, and shall continue in that line."
Dr. Doyle is an intense admirer of Charles Dickens, and during his life has been a cluse student of that author’s work. "I have been greatly influenced by Dickens in my work,"
he said. "I think, in fact, that nearly every author who takes up fiction in these modern days is animated to a certain extent by the influence of Charles Dickens."
Dr. Doyle was greatly pleased at his accidentally meeting James Whitcomb Riley. The two authors enjoyed an hour in the parlor of the hotel during the afternoon and dined together at 6 o'clock.
ABOUT SELF AND BOOKS.
Dr. Doyle Chats About His Dead 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 appreciated 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 lecturer was best known to his Indianapolis friends as the creator of that wonderful man, and his process of analyzing the remarkable analyzer was a satisfactory treat, indeed.
A word about Dr. Doyle ; the living Dr. Doyle, before the lamented Mr. Holmes. He 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 lithographic reproductions of his photographs. A broad jowl 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 detective. He would be taken for a blunt fellow, little given to the subtle plotting of such stories as he has written. And as he explains Sherlock Holmes's mode of reasoning it seems just as simple, at times puerile — like Christopher Columbus's famous egg trick. Of course it is very simple when it is all explained, and to show just how easy it is Dr. 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 meerschaum pipe." Prove it, says Dr. Doyle, without venturing an elucidation.
President Feibleman, of the Montefiore Society, introduced the author, after referring 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 rolling of the organ.
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 he began his lecture, neither looking to the little table. Like one scanning the distant horizon he began his lecture, neither looking to the right nor to the left, nor down or up. The man taking tickets at the door must have felt the scrutiny of his gaze. First he modestly explained that he spoke of himself and his own works because people were not generally interested in his views of other people's works. Perhaps he was better understood as a story teller than as a critic. William Makepeace Thackeray visited the house of Dr. Doyle's father when the author 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 nothing left but the tiger. The problem of extricating the man from the tiger was never solved, and this early manuscript is probably stored away in some old bureau drawer. Then began a pretty story of his boyhood days at "old Edinboro," where he dreamed over volumes of Scott, went after deer with Fenimore Cooper, and satied into distant seas with Captain Marryatt. At the age of seventeen he went down to London to study medicine. In 1878 his first story was accepted by a provincial magazine, but for ten years he struggled for a brilliant success which did not come till the end of that decade of hardest work. The Cornhill Magazine accepted one of his first short stories, but the only criticism at elicited was this: "Cornhill this month publishes a story that would make Thackeray turn in his grave." "It was about this time," said the speaker, "I first reached the conclusion that English criticism was in its decay."
Then taking up "Sherlock Holmes," he said:
"About this gentleman. I must say he was a very good friend to me. And in killing Mr. Sherlock Holmes, of Baker street. I'm afraid I acted rather scurvily. Indeed, a great many of my unknown friends seemed to think so. If I had slain a living being they could hardly have heaped upon me more virulent abuse. Among the hundreds of letters I received were a number asking for locks of Sherlock Holmes's hair. One earnest correspondent wished me to send him photographs of Holmes, taken at different periods in his life. Well, Sherlock Holmes had lived through twenty-six different stories. I did not wish him to outstay his welcome. It was time he should die.
"I dare say the detective story is a primitive art form. Still, it is a wonderfully useful form for telling a dramatic story. I might explain that I got the original suggestion of Holmes from old Professor Bell, under whom I studied medicine in Edinburgh. He was a man of wonderfully shrewd observation. A patient would enter the room and in the few moments that elapsed before he spoke, the Professor would not only diagnose the disease, but reach a conclusion, generally correct, as to the man's birthplace, his condition, his trade, his habits. When I began to build up a sort of semi-scientific system of detection, I naturally recalled the old Professor. Then, of course, there was Poe, who had shown that it was possible that a detective tale could go to the extremes of romance and sensation, and still be literature."
Dr. Doyle move referred to the express robbery at New Orleans some time ago and proclaimed the work of Expert Carvalho, of Brooklyn, who found the alleged robber by the imprint of his thumb on one of the seals of the package broken open, as one of the cleverest detective bits in real life, or even in fiction. Dr. Doyle, however, has failed to ascertain that the young man arrested on the discovery of the expert was afterwards acquitted, and compromised a heavy damage suit against the corporation that caused his arrest. Sherlock Holmes would never have lost a case in any such way.
From "The Refugees," considered by many as Dr. Doyle's best work, excerpts were read. The description of the old French count's torture of a German officer in a chateau, a masterpiece of its kind, was listened to with much interest. This book
, said Dr. Doyle, was truly a labor of love.
Frequently during his talk the lecturer was applauded and as he concluded, many thought the evening was far too short.
RILEYS ESTIMATE OF HIM.
Hoosier Poet Admires Both the Man and His Books.
Dr. Doyle was given an informal reception at the Denison after the lecture last night. Many of those who had enjoyed the lecture passed through the parlors and were introduced to the novelist. At 10:30 o'clock Dr. and Mrs. Franklin W. Hays, at their home, No. 19 West Ohio street, entertained Dr. Doyle at dinner. W. Hay Doyle, brother of the author, and James Whitcomb Riley were among the gentlemen present.
Mr. Riley is an admirer of Conan Doyle and his books. He talked freely and enthusiastically of the distinguished English author last night. and praised him, not only as an author, but as a man.
"I like Dr. Doyle immensely," said Mr. Riley without hesitation. "I had long been an admirer of his stories, and the personal acquaintance with him which I have enjoyed the last few hours has heightened that admiration."
"Have you any particular choice as to his novels?" Mr. Riley was asked.
"I like them all," he replied. "I became attached to his style of writing fiction some years ago. I like to study his characters, because they have been subjected to that close, subtle analysis that is so admirable in the conscientious writer. Then, there is honest, true work to be found on every page of Dr. Doyle's books. His 'Sherlock Holmes' stories have interested me greatly. While Dr. Doyle may have taken much interest in his works, of preparing the 'Sherlock Holmes' stories he realizes, I think, that the labor spent in writing his historical novels was devoted to a field more lofty. The stories which he has given to the public show evidence of hard work. Not only are they the results of great mental labor, but they indicate thorough research into history. The author has taken the characters of the historical novels of other centuries and compared them with those he wished to create. His facts are all proven, and this, I think, is not only true of Dr. Doyle but can truthfully be said of our own Lew Wallace and other writers of the time. Those who heard Dr. Doyle's lecture must understand something of the untiring labor to which the writers of such books as he has produced must devote themselves. I admire his stories because I can read them easily. There is nothing heavy about them. Not only are they entertaining, but they are refreshing. People don't want to read the heavy stories produced by some of the old writers. It is nothing short of hard labor — too much like coming from work and then going to work again. The stories that Dr. Doyle has given us will last."
