As we approach Thanksgiving, Inspector and Mrs. Baynes seek to recognize all that Christopher Morley has done to promote fun, frolic, foolishness and frivolity in the world of Sherlockiana.
From time to time it is good to pause and look back, and consider the history of our craft and to thank those who have brought us from the past to the present. Occasionally, we should stop and think about Christopher Morley (1890-1957) and reflect upon his special influence upon the world of Sherlock Holmes as we know it.
As Sherlockians we share, among ourselves, a common interest and we enjoy a true sense of camaraderie and congeniality. In today's fast-track world of hustle-bustle, those qualities are as precious as they are rare; and within the Sherlockian realm this tradition of amiability may well have had its origin with Morley.
In the beginning, C. Morley (and that little band of intellectual ruffians with whom he associated) set a tone that still exists today. They were a literate, talented, free-spirited, fun-loving bunch of devotees who held nothing Canonical to be sacred. Everything was subject to their humour and became the objects of their spoof. They had their fun. It was clean fun, with refinement and civility. It is among the highest forms of entertainment.
Respectfully submitted,
Inspector Baynes
(Jody Baker is a Chattanooga attorney, who specializes in Sherlock Holmes lore. He can be reached at josiahbaker@bkhcw.com.)