Having survived one of the longest and most severe Winters of memory, 35 stalwart members of The Greek Interpreters met on March 26, 2014 at the Country Club of Lansing for our traditional Winter meeting. The story on which the evening's quiz and discussion focussed was "The Reigate Squires". Our interest in this adventure was in part due to the fact we had not examined it in the past 25 years, despite Conan Doyle's 1927 selection as one of his dozen best. It is also important because it provides a glimpse of Holmes' remarkable efforts in the early months of 1887. A quiz was provided by The Chemist. To see a copy of this quiz Click Here.
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Following the canonical toasts, members were reminded to select an investiture title for the membership list. The discussion that followed did not endorse the author's high opinion of the story. Questions such as "who would notice a missing ball of twine?" and "what evidence exists for hereditary hand writing similarity?" were raised. Overall, the members did not rank the story very high within the canon.
The meeting concluded with a reading of Vincent Starrett's "221B" poem, followed by our singing of The Anthem.
221bWho never lived and so can never die: How very near they seem, yet how remote That age before the world went all awry. But still the game's afoot for those with ears Attuned to catch the distant view-halloo: England is England yet, for all our fears - Only those things the heart believes are true. A yellow fog swirls past the window-pane As night descends upon this fabled street: A lonely hansom splashes through the rain, The ghostly gas lamps fail at twenty feet. Here, though the world explode, these two survive, And it is always eighteen ninety-five. |
Ode to Dr. Watsonby John McDonnellOf all the many entertaining authors Whose published books by some are fondly kept, Have any matched your subtle pawky humor? Were any at descriptions as adept? Of course you had the great unique advantage Of having such a gifted friend to know, And living at a time we view as charming, From those quaint glimpses that your stories show. But still, the manner of your stories' tellings Stirs up imaginings more than a guess. We've shuddered at portrayals of the villains. We've warmed to view the damsels in distress. And as for Holmes, you've made him such a hero, We'd no doubt swarm to get his autograph, And search his face to sense the egotism That never fails to make our spirits laugh. Then cheers from all for sturdy Dr. Watson! The one fixed point within all changing scenes. His writings cause some pilgrimage to London Or shorter jaunts to local silver screens. |