Les Societes des Savants

35 LES SOCIETES DES SAVANTS Ten literary societies are devoted to six authors who contributed to the warp and woof of the ELT period: Arthur Conan Doyle, Rudyard Kipling, Arthur Machen, William Morris, George Bernard Shaw, and H. G. Wells. The membership of each group is made up of amateurs, scholars, and critics, and most of these societies publish a journal, schedule regular meetings, and have various projects for the study and "appreciation" of the specific author with whom they are concerned. The number of literary societies dealing with ELT figures which have been organized since about 1950 is indicative of the increasing interest in the 1880-1920 period that has developed during the past decade. It is doubtful that any other lltergry era has a comparable number of organisations devoted to its writers—a testimony to the vitality of these particular ELT authors. The members of the societies are at all times pleased to help interested scholars and researchers with individual problems and to debate new views, new interpretations and reassessments in the pages of their journals. These groups ana worthy of support; their publications should be in every college library. The listing which follows is alphabetical; the date of inception follows the title of the Society. -ESL Doyle. THE BAKER STREET IRREGUURS (1934). There are no dues. The only qualification for membership is a sincere interest in Sherlock Holmes and the writings about him. The BSI quarterly, THE BAKER STREET JOURNAL ($4.00 a year), is devoted to a detailed and often facetious study of the Holmes saga and the Sherlockian scene. The organization itself has no library, but many members have private collections of MSS, first and other desirable editions. One of the phenomena of the BSI is the great number of scion societies that exist throughout the civilized world. (A directory of local Sherlock Holmes clubs can be found in W. T. Rabe, SHERLOCKIAN WHO'S WHO AND WHAT'S WHAT.) The business affiliate, The Baker Street Irregulars, Inc., Spring Valley Road, Morristown, N. J., publishes the quarterly and distributes publications dealing with Holmes; a catalogue of titles is available on request. Correspondence concerning The Baker Street Irregulars should be directed to: Julian Wolff, Commissionaire, 33 Riverside Drive, New York 23, N. Y. [Though many serious-minded academicians look askance at the BSI, it must be noted that the scholarly tomfoolery of the Sherlockians is the greatest parody of literary methodology (complete with footnotes) ever produced. The ultimate result is refreshing.] THE SHERLOCK HOLMES SOCIETY OF LONDON (1951). Annual dues are 30/-or $4.50 and include subscription to THE SHERLOCK HOLMES JOURNAL, published twice yearly, printed in Baskerville type. The purpose of this group is "To encourage the pursuit of knowledge of the public and private lives of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson." Address correspondence to: Mr. Col in Prestige, Hon.. Secretary, 39 Clabon Mews, London, S. VJ. 1. SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE SOCIETY (1961). No dues, but prospective members must have a good Doyle collection and a bibliographical and biographical 36 Interest in Doyle. Membership is restricted. No journal at present, though one is in the planning stage. In contrast to the limited interest of the Sherlock Holmes societies, the purpose of the Doyle group is to examine all the work of Doyle, to publish annual volumes of previously unpublished Doyle material (the first, entitled STRANGE STUDIES FROM LIFE, was issued in January, 1963), and to compile a definitive bibliography of Doyle. Address correspondence to: Mr. Peter Ruber, Director, 430 East 36th St., New York 28, N. Y. Kipling. THE KIPLING SOCIETY (1927). Annual dues are fl/5/-or $3.50 and include subscription to THE KIPLING JOURNAL, published quarterly. The purpose of this group is "To honour and extend Kipling's influence." The Society's library contains some Kipling holograph letters, MSS, and many first editions. One of the Kipling Society's most ambitious projects is the publication, under the direction of R. E. Harbord, of a READER'S GUIDE to Kipling's complete work. [The parts so far published are thorough and detailed, an indispensable tool for scholarship and criticism of Kipling.] There are branches of the Kipling Society in Australia, Canada...