Melissa Anderson “Faith” has posted a significant comment on the Weekly Forum of September 30 concerning Doctor Watson and his military service. It is concise, well-stated, thoughtful and goes to the core of the Canon. Well worth reading. Thank you, “Faith.”
Weekly Forum: October 7, 2014
“A Case of Identity”
There is something “jewel-box-like” about IDEN and it may be one of Watson’s great triumphs of writing. It is almost wholly personal.
It has four distinct parts: 1) the philosophical discussion between Watson and Holmes; 2) the client’s characterization and statement of the case; 3) the interview with the miscreant, Windibank; and 4) the solution.
In the philosophical discussion in the first few pages, prior to the arrival of Mary Sutherland, Holmes and Watson have what Buttons interprets as one of their most interesting and revealing talks about their personal positions and beliefs.
In the middle sections, the “crime” is not actionable and James Windibank and his wife– Mary’s mother– who is an equally guilty partner in the deception, exit stage left with impunity.
But, in the end, what of Mary Sutherland who exits the case unconsidered, unfulfilled, and apparently unloved by anyone? How does the philosophical discussion of Holmes and Watson–setting up the story–pertain to Mary? Is Mary Sutherland already a sadder, but wiser, independent woman for her experience, or is she to be forever a woman wronged and dependent upon the kindness of others?
This is fertile ground, essentially unplowed by Watsonians and Sherlockians, and ready for a provocative and fascinating joint-article for The Watsonian. Will you contribute? We welcome your participation.
October 5th, 2014
“Chips” (who is having computer problems) sends along this Isaac Asimov treasure. It would be interesting to know who made the pen and ink change and whether it was originally as written, or as changed. Perhaps we have a detective who can assist.
Original William Gillette Silent Film Discovered
Article From our Member, Kumar Bhatia “Bobbie”
William Gillette’s original performance on film as Sherlock Holmes has been found. Kumar Bhatia “Bobbie” sends us this article from India. Follow the link to the fascinating description of the film, the restoration, screenshots and the planned premier.
Copy and paste in your browser:
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-29474334
Weekly Quiz: 40
RESULTS: Denny Dobry “Kirby” was first in with 10/10 and alternative answers. Margie Deck “Gwen” and Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy” took the Team honors with 10/10 and also alternative answers. Great Job, All!
Answers below:
This week’s quiz is all about interiors. Where are the interiors described found? Story, book and page number, please. Solutions to Buttons by noon Wednesday, 8 October 2014.
Weekly Forum: September 30, 2014
Doctor Watson joined the Army after medical school, and he is said to have re-joined the Army late in his career. Why do you believe Watson chose to join the military as a physician? What objective (textual) and subjective (speculative) reasons exist?
Interesting Article on Watson
Member Sheila Holtgrieve,”Daisy,” sends along this interesting article found on Laurie R King’s website about “If Watson Were a Woman.” This was first proposed by Rex Stout, the BSI who wrote the Nero Wolfe books.
Thank you, “Daisy.”
You can click on the link below to read.
http://www.laurierking.com/etcetera/mary-russells-world/if-watson-were-a-woman
Alert! Quiz Question Revised! Sorry!
Weekly Quiz: 39
Numbers! Amazing Numbers! (REVISED BELOW)
RESULT: We DO have a few mathematicians!
Denny Dobry “Kirby” was in first with the correct answer. Sheila Holtgrieve was just slightly later with a more expansive correct answer and we will publish her solution as the answer:
111 Baker Street is the actual address of 221b according to Dr. Gary Chandler Biggs. 111 is a palindrome (reads the same forwards as backwards). 111,111,111 squared is 12,345,678,987,654,321. This is also a palindrome. Written out it is: Twelve quadrillion, three hundred forty-five trillion, six hundred seventy-eight billion, nine hundred eighty-seven million, six hundred fifty-four thousand, three hundred twenty-one. Add a two to the last number and you get 221.
Pascal’s Triangle is also a form of palindrome. The triangle can be used to work with the binomial theorem. Professor Moriarty wrote a treatise on the binomial theorem “At the age of 21 he wrote a treatise upon the binomial theorem, which has had a European vogue.” FINA, W., p. 470.
Note that the last two numbers of 111,111,111 squared are 21, the age that Moriarty wrote the treatise.
Congratulations to Denny and Sheila! You can’t make this stuff up!
Question:
This week’s quiz concerns numbers, specifically 221B Baker Street and the history of the numbers of that address.
Our favourite house in London with its seventeen steps that our good Dr Watson called “221B Baker Street” was actually “30 York Place,” but York Place was a very short street joining Baker Street and Upper Baker Street, and was renamed at a later date. The number of the house written of by Dr Watson is known today as 111 Baker Street.
Mrs Hudson’s house was definitively identified by Dr Gray Chandler Briggs, from his discovery in 1930 of a building with the plaque “Camden House” affixed to its outside. As we know from “The Adventure of the Empty House,” it is directly across from our beloved 221B.
The literary agent, Doyle, chalked it all up to coincidence. However, these coincidences (or realities) support an almost mystical numeric fact.
If we accept 111 as the original Holmesian/Watsonian address, this leads us to a very interesting numeric quiz:
111 is a palindromic number. Now, multiply this by itself. Look at that number. It is also a palindromic number. Now, square the number 111,111,111 and what do you get? Notice that number backwards. Isn’t that astounding?
You CAN do this. It’s just multiplication! Buttons figured it out on a piece of foolscap with a pencil.
Express the answer as a number and in words. Solutions by Wednesday, October 1, 2014. Do we have mathematically-inclined Quiz Masters? Who will be first?
Beth Gallego “Selena” Named Associate Webmistress
The Society is delighted to announce the appointment of Beth Gallego “Selena” to the position of Associate Webmistress. Beth is a self-described “Data Nerd” and experienced blogger who brings a great deal of talent and knowledge to this important function of the Society.
“Selena” will also be taking on the job of developing a digital Index of all articles, papers, and miscellanea published in The Watsonian for future Sherlockian and Watsonian reference and research.
“Selena” will also be taking on the job of developing a digital Index of all articles, papers, and miscellanea published in The Watsonian for future Sherlockian and Watsonian reference and research.
For far too long, the Society has operated with all of the access to the web and knowledge of the website building software known only to Buttons (a 71 year-old, high-risk cardiac Bingo Card waiting for an “I”). Now, we will have reliable back-up, talent and skill in maintaining the Society’s website going forward. That IS a relief!
This is another in the steps to insure the Society is strengthened by the participation, talent and direction of numerous Members and not just Buttons alone. Of course, we always have other responsibilities to fill. so please feel free to step up and volunteer.
Welcome “Selena” to your new position as Associate Webmistress, and Thank You!
This Noted in Today’s “Times”
New Page
Please note the new page titled “Members by Monikers.” Full information is available on the page. We are indebted to Alexian Gregory “Darwin” for his work in making this list available to our Members.
Weekly Forum: September 23, 2014
The Inspectors
Who was the best of the Scotland Yarders?
The Inspiration to Keep Going
To All (from on the road):
I always carry a copy of the Canon with me while on a trip. I am researching statements about our beloved Doctor for a future purpose. I have a few now, however, that I would like to share with you:
“I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love of all that is bizarre and outside the convention and humdrum routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by the enthusiasm with which you have chronicled it, and if you excuse me saying so, somewhat to embellish my own little adventures.” (REDH)
Coming from a less than perfect situation, words like the ones above and so many other words and tales gave me fuel to keep going.
“I am bound to say in all the accounts you have been so good as to give of my own small achievements, you have habitually underrated you own abilities. It may be that you yourself are not luminous, but you are a conductor of light. Some people without possessing genius have a remarkable power of stimulating it.” (HOUN)
Oh! To be able to fit the above description of our Doctor.
“Chips”
aka Ron from Denver
Technical Note on Web Browser
Here at the good Doctor’s surgery, we have been testing Google Chrome as a web browser for the past month. For many years we have used Microsoft’s Internet Explorer.
Our experience with Google Chrome is excellent. In every regard, the performance is superior to Explorer. And Chrome has an advertising blocker that works wonders in keeping pop-ups and other forms of unwanted advertising from appearing.
You can download it free from Google and with a little experimentation you can create the settings you want to use and learn about the navigation fairly quickly.
It seems to be a significantly better browser than Explorer, especially with the elimination of all the ads, and it is faster.
Weekly Quiz: 38
RESULTS: Beth Gallego “Selena” was first in with 10/10. Denny Dobry “Kirby” was next with 10/10. Team SOB with Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy” and Margie Deck “Gwen” were 10/10 in the team category. Congratulations to all. Answers below.
This week’s quiz concerns real and fictional places mentioned in the Canon. Please choose either “Real” or “Fictional” for each answer, name the place referred to, and cite the book or story where it appears.
Solutions to buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com by Noon Wednesday, September 24th. Enjoy!
Weekly Forum: 16 September 2014
A Final Comment
This Forum has produced a very interesting conversation which we will consider for a paper in the April 2015 issue of The Watsonian.
WE ARE REQUESTING all who have commented and others who wish to comment to post their final thoughts, conclusions, rebuttal, agreement, or alternative thoughts before we close out the Weekly Forum. We will select a Lead Writer for the paper and wish to assure everyone who wishes to have their comments included has that opportunity. Thank you ALL for a most fascinating discussion.
Nemesis
This week’s Weekly Forum asks the question: “Did Holmes invent Moriarty?”
A Warm Tribute from our Chair to Joanne Yates
Dear Fellow Watsonians:
I am very pleased to see that The Watsonian has had such an enthusiastic reception among its readers. Many people, of course, have contributed to its success. Our “Buttons” has been a tireless cheerleader for the journal and the dozens of authors of the pieces included in the first two issues have borne out the belief that the time has come to turn more critical attention to the role of Dr John H Watson in the creation of Sherlock Holmes saga.
From the outset, my wife Joanne M. Yates has served as The Watsonion’s editor. I think that perhaps no one could have brought more consistent good judgment and taste to the preparation of the first issues of this new magazine destined for its many subscribers.
Anticipating a first issue of at most 80 pages, I was amazed to see that the two numbers of Volume I consisted of 152 and 172 pages, respectively; and the third number, due out this fall, gives promise of extending quite a bit beyond these totals to nearly 250 pages.
From its inception, Joanne has given her level best in establishing and maintaining the quality and readability of our journal, but its gratifying success has understandably required more time and energy than she had expected and she has come to realize that her attention was being drawn away from other previous commitments that she has made, especially that of serving as president of the non-profit 4Paws Learning Wellness Center.
I am sure that her achievements as editor of our magazine’s early issues will stand as a lasting tribute to her talent and devotion to our Society. When I realized that she would not be able to continue in her editorial capacity, she said that she had unhesitatingly devoted all the time necessary to the journal because it was, in a way, a birthday gift bestowed on her husband by Don Libey and other Napa Valley Napoleons back in 2013. She added that the friendships she has formed with so many contributors has been more than ample reward.
I have long received the benefits of her loyalty and dedication, so I am expressing my deep gratitude to her in this way, on our JHWS blog, where all our fellow members can acknowledge her service over the past two years.
With warm regards,
Don Yates “Pal”
The John H Watson Society
Chair
The Society joins in Dr Yates’ tribute To Joanne:
All of our Members join in expressing their sincere appreciation to Dr Joanne Yates for her wonderful creation of The Watsonian. It is entirely due to her talent that the journal has become so well-regarded and appreciated by all of the Members. Thank you!
A Memorable Toast
To All:
At my local Sherlock Holmes group dinner this past February, there was a toast which I would like to share with you. The author of the toast was Guy Mordeaux, a founding member of the group, Dr Watson’s Patients, and a good friend.
His toast was titled “On the Significance of Boswells or the Finding of the Right Watson.” I will quote those passages that impressed me and that I wish to share:
“When referring to the Canon a different Character emerges. The actor Jeremy Brett put his finger on who our dear Dr Watson really is during an interview in which he said, “‘Watson and Holmes are two halves of the same person. They are Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. . . You can’t have one without the other; it’s impossible.’”
Holmes and Watson are two character personalities that complement each other. David Accord, writing in “Success Secrets of Sherlock Holmes,” calls Dr Watson, “. . . a solid, intelligent war veteran with steely nerves and a strong sense of honor and loyalty to Holmes.”
Ben McIntyre writes in The London Times: “Holmes is flashy, brilliant and extraordinary, but it is Watson’s blunter, quieter virtues of simple decency that we are called on to admire, and it is his voice that we trust.”
Ron Lies
“Chips”
The Welsh Canon!
This Fascinating Bit of News Just Received
John Watson and Sherlock Holmes speak Welsh for the first time
Buttons, being part Welsh, thought this was super!
At the Emmys Award ceremony in Los Angeles recently, BBC Wales’ Sherlock drama series was accredited with international acclaim. This has given the Welsh capital much grounds for celebration, particularly as the whole series had been produced at Cardiff’s Roath Harbour studios. It is timely therefore that a Welsh adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most popular tale of all has been published this week.
Y Cylch Brith is Eurwyn Pierce Jones’ adaptation of The Speckled Band – a classically famous Conan Doyle short story; and this exiting enterprise has established the Welsh Language as the hundredth language in which one or more of Sir Conan Doyle’s grand literary works are now available.
The Speckled Band was indeed the famous author’s most favourite tale from amongst the whole of his collective writings concerning the mysterious crime-solving exploits of Sherlock Holmes. Welsh author Eurwyn Pierce Jones together with Y Lolfa Press at Talybont near Aberystwyth, have high hopes that Welsh readers in their myriads will delight themselves in hearing the illustrious detective speaking naturally in Welsh for the very first time since he ever appeared in print in 1887.
“Constructing a readable modern Welsh version of the Victorian-styled English narrative which characterises the source text was quite a challenge,” explains the Abermule-based author and translator, who hails originally from the Welsh-speaking heartland area of Y Bala, and has commissioned a Sherlock Holmes outfit to celebrate the book’s publication.
“I was keen to ensure that the end product would preserve the essential nuances and characteristics of the famous original English text, whilst simultaneously satisfying the demands of the adopted Welsh language, which claims the prestigious reputation of being the oldest living language in Europe.
“So, although the general diction of Y Cylch Brith tends towards a literary style, I have tried to ensure that it is suitable for young readers, and is particularly appropriate reading material for English speakers of all ages who may be currently learning Welsh. A major benefit to those readers is the assurance that this Welsh version follows Conan Doyle’s own initial English text as near as could possibly be achieved, almost sentence by sentence. Doyle’s original English version is even freely available on-line.”
Author Eurwyn Pierce Jones is keen to express his sincere gratitude to the executive committee of the Deerstalkers and all its members who comprise the Welshpool based first Sherlockian Society of Wales. They were the ones who were primarily responsible for initialising this venture, for securing the copyrights and publishing rights, and for facilitating the sales and promotional aspects of this publication – by marketing this short volume to Sherlockian enthusiasts and book collectors all over the world.
Author’s biographical details:
During his childhood years Eurwyn lived in the Bala area, in the heartland of Welsh speaking North Wales; then pursued various occupations which led him in turn from one Welsh county to another. At thirty years of age he left a career in aircraft flight and navigational instrumentation engineering, to graduate in Welsh language and literature at the University of Wales in Aberystwyth, before serving as a secondary school teacher; from where he moved on as a careers and commercial management adviser. For the last twenty years he has worked as a freelance Welsh-English text translator and simultaneous interpreter, in which capacity he has frequently engaged in assignments which have strong literary aspects.
Author’s contact details:
Mr Eurwyn Pierce Jones
‘ 01686 630 628
8 epj@dialstart.net