The Cerebral Tentacle No. 1859
The Cerebral Tentacle No. 1859 is the first issue of the magazine of The Arthur Conan Doyle Study Group, published in december 1996 by Mark Chadderton.
The cover is illustrated with the article from The Temple Magazine (june 1897) titled The Queen's Reign: Its Most Striking Characteristic and Most Beneficent Achievement where Arthur Conan Doyle mentioned that Chloroform was the most beneficent invention of Her Majesty's Reign.
The Cerebral Tentacle No. 1859
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the Arthur Conan Doyle Study Group, the latest Branch Office of the FMHC, by writing to this study group, you have been enrolled as a member.
As indicated in NBSPB#28, an increasing appreciation of matters Doylean has led to our formation, this leaflet will put forward ideas for study activities, but the direction that this particular Branch Office takes is entirely down to you, the members. Once you have read this issue, please write in immediately with any ideas, criticism, approval or further suggestions that you may have. (Return postage is appreciated)
FOCUSING OUR STUDY OF ACD
Because of the vast output of ACD's writings, as well as his many and varied activities during his lifetime, it has been suggested that the group should initially narrow down our area of study. This would enable both the newcomer to ACD's non-Holmes works, as well as the more knowledgable Doylean's to participate on an equal level. Therefore it is hereby put forward that an ideal course would be to concentrate initial studies on one book, the logical choice seeming to be that excellent collection of 76 ACD short stories.
"THE CONAN DOYLE STORIES"
Originally published in 6 separate volumes under different titles, "The Conan Doyle Stories" was brought out by JOHN MURRAY in 1929, gathering these 6 volumes into 1 handy tome. It was reprinted many times by John Murray, and more recently was reprinted at an inexpensive price by BLITZ EDITIONS in 1990. Therefore, if group members have not yet got a copy, it shouldn't be too difficult to pick up one. As an initial focus of study, it will provide us with plenty of scope for scrutiny and appreciation of ACD's interests, imagination and writing skill. Basically the book is a wonderful alternative canon to the Sherlock Holmes tales. However, adopting this book for initial study, should not be taken to mean that other stories, including the novels, will not be studied either now or later.
STUDY METHOD
Of course, some group members will be re-reading "The Conan Doyle Stories" book, so instead of reading from start to finish, it is suggested that a more educational idea would be to read the 76 tales in the chronological sequence that ACD wrote them, thus everyone will gain a Further understanding of ACD's developing and varied interests. To help new and old scholars alike, we will he producing a convenient plastic laminated bookmark similar in size to the one recently issued by our fellow branch office GERARD'S HUSSARS (approx. 20x13 cm). Our 'Conan Doyle Stories' bookmark would chronologically list each individual tale's original date of publication and magazine appearance, it will also provide an easy reference guide for comparative research which could be carried out, concerning these stories. Please write in now if you would he interested in obtaining what would be an invaluable study and research aid. The price would he kept to a minimum, but we do need to gauge interest now. Whether group members would be willing to undertake
