Please see Dr Watson’s Library for news of a new book by Chris Music, “Russell” about the great scion club The Amateur Mendicant Society.
Festive Christmas Quiz by the Pawky Puzzler Posted on Quiz Page . . . “Compliments of the season”
Weekly Forum: December 16, 2014
The Holidays do take their toll on participation in the Weekly Forum and the Weekly Quiz; however, we will “Keep Calm and Carry On.”
Anyone care to expand the “back story” on: Henry Baker; the British Museum; Mr Windigate, the landlord of the Alpha Inn; and Mr Breckinridge of Covent Garden Market?
Author Diane Gilbert Madsen notes . . .
We received this from our Member, Diane Gilbert Madsen “Lass” . . .
Today, Dec 9th in 1934, NBC broadcasted “The Case of Vamberry the Wine Merchant” with Hector and Lovell.
I was fortunate to appear in Omni Mystery News. Hope you will enjoy.
Lass
Take a look at the very nice review! Thank you, “Lass.”
Weekly Forum: December 9
Once again, the great wheel of the seasons has revolved and we find ourselves approaching the Winter Solstice. Do you believe Doctor Watson wrote of the astronomical influences? If so, perhaps you would care to comment on those observations he made. Are they purely secondary to the stories, or are they part-and-parcel of the events and outcomes? For example, we know of the good doctor’s mention of the equinoctial gale, but is it influential or symbolic–indeed, part of–the events in the story ?
Here, for your pleasure in language, is Doctor Watson’s extraordinary paragraph from FIVE:
It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life, and to recognize the presence of those great elemental forces which shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilization, like untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in the storm grew higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, whilst I at the other was deep in one of Clark Russell’s fine sea-stories, until the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her aunt’s, and for a few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Street.
Are there other examples of this astronomical atmosphere and periodicity of Nature in the Canon?
New Quiz is Posted and a Special Christmas Quiz by Margie Deck “Gwen” is Coming
We are back with this week’s quiz. And, on December 19 we have a wonderful new quiz by The Pawky Puzzler, Margie Deck “Gwen.” This is a 50 question holiday quiz to occupy your mind during the annual Christmas visit of Cousin Eddie (“That there’s an RV, Clark. Don’t you go gettin’ attached to it though, we’ll be taking it with us when we leave here next month.”)
A Brief Hiatus
Both this week’s Quiz and Weekly Forum will take a brief hiatus, so you can enjoy your holiday time with family and friends. We will return on Friday, December 5 with the Quiz, and Tuesday, December 9 with the Weekly Forum.
Weekly Forum: Country Houses
Which of the numerous country houses in the Canon are the most memorable? Is there a house that was as much of a character in the story as the characters?
Ron Lies “Chips” is Home!
“Chips” is home after his surgery and doing well. He thanks everyone who sent along good wishes. His TidBits will be returning soon! We’re all happy you are back to Watson and Holmes! His email is: relies2@outlook.com
Call For Papers
The Society is accepting papers, articles, fiction, humor, and miscellanea for the April 2015 issue ofThe Watsonian. Unlike most journals, we do not have a backlog of submissions and we will have space in the forthcoming journal for material submitted by February 15, 2015.
Submission guidelines are found in the current issue. We would remind authors that we prefer all articles to use endnotes rather than footnotes at the bottom of the pages. Footnotes are pre-formatted by Word and we have to remove them prior to creating the final printing files. Plus, endnotes are much easier for the author, the editors, and the designer. Please do not use super-script numerals in the text; rather, please use regular numerals in brackets in this style at the point of an endnote in the text: This signifies an endnote [1], [2], [3], etc.
Members will receive the first of our new publication, The Fiction Series, with their copy of the April 2015 issue of the journal. It is a longish short story titled The Duke’s Study by Luca Sartori “Victor,” a Member and a student at the University of Urbino in Italy.
The Society especially encourages first-time writers. One does not need to be a “scholar” or an “expert.” These are terms that have little relevance in a Society like ours where everyone’s thoughts and efforts are welcome, whether in print or online.
Writers need not be concerned about the editing experience; we are kind and helpful, and we attempt not to make it difficult or tedious. We exist as a Society to have fun and our journal has the same purpose. Please give some thought to writing about that topic in the Canon you have always thought about and send us your submission.
Send all submissions to Buttons: buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com
Weekly Forum: Watson as Partner in the Firm
Could we attempt the creation of a catalogue of the books and stories and concise summary of each of Doctor Watson’s positive influences, actions, and additions to the various cases?
Such a listing and capsule summary would assist in viewing in one list the good doctor’s overall contributions to the firm over the years. Perhaps one Member might pick a book; another a second book; others individual cases, or collections such as The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes, or The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
With adequate participation by our esteemed Members, and with complete coverage, we would quite possibly have a thorough and unique review that could be completed as a blog-string paper for the journal
Dan Andriacco “Dutch” has Kind Words for The Watsonian
Our valued Member and noted Sherlockian author, Dr Dan Andriacco “Dutch,” has reviewed the October issue of The Watsonian and offers some very kind words for our authors. Dan quotes the issue as 160 pages, rather than the 180 pages as readers will discover. Btt, as Dan says, all pages are chock-full of great content on Watson and even a few on Holmes.
Dan has several new books–all very well-written and fascinating–in his Sebastian McCabe and Jeff Cody series. Take a look at his always fun website:
Weekly Forum: November 4, 2014
In NORW Dr Watson writes in the beginning of the story, ” . . . and I at his request sold my practice and returned to share the old quarters in Baker Street.”
Note, that Dr Watson uses the word “request.” He might have said, invited, asked, suggested, intimated, or any other such word. But, he wrote “request.”
Why would Holmes “request” Watson to return, and why would Holmes arrange to have Watson’s practice purchased and provide the money for the purchase himself?
What is going on here that we have not seen all these years? This is very fertile ground for ploughing.
October Journal Has Mailed
The October issue of The Watsonian is in the mail. You should receive it soon. Let us know what you think. Thanks.
The Editorial Team
Weekly Forum: October 21, 2014
Did Doctor Watson rejoin the British Army as a physician during World War I? What is the evidence and what are your surmises from knowing the life of the man?
Our Dr Bob Katz “Willow” wrote, in a BSJ article in 1992, that Watson spent World War I serving in the army performing pre-induction physicals. He would have been quite expert at identifying malingerers who were attempting to evade military service, as he had firsthand experience learning about malingering from Holmes, one of the first students of the subject (DYIN).
Weekly Forum: October 14 2014
Mrs Watson (No, the Other One)
Very little has been written about Mrs Watson, John Watson’s mother. There is no Canonical evidence, but from the abundant evidence about her son, what can we say about Doctor Watson’s mom?
Significant Comment on September 30 Weekly Forum
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.
“I shall communicate with you.” [NOBL]
The Society is always pleased to find new avenues of communication, and so is delighted to announce its entry into the world of social media. You can now find us on Facebook (hat tip to “Galahad”!) and on Twitter.
If you’ve reached this site for the first time from Facebook or Twitter, welcome! We’d love to have you join in our Weekly Forum, try puzzling out the answers to our weekly Quiz, check out our Publications, become a Member, or any combination of those. Make yourself comfortable, enjoy your stay, and come back soon!
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.
