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Banshee, whole no. 5, June 1944

Page 21

Sayings of the Spence * * * 21

like it; it's affected. But it seems to have established itself until the substitute for "fan" comes along. I suppose I'll have to resign myself to it. And maybe even use it. "Stofan" is bad because of that "o" which snucj in there while somebody wasn't looking and besides 'tain't euphonious. By all means investigate "Look Homeward. Angel." I wnt overboard for Wolfe last fall, and have just now completed my set of his books with the addition of the short-story collection "From Death to Morning." His books form a series, describing in magnificently sensitive prose the evolution of a young man who was not as others are. On the subject of fan qualifications, I don't shine too brightly. I used to be a fanatical collector, but now collect only ASF and FFM (I have about 500 mags, some of which--Santander and Z-D--I plan to throw out). My book collection hits the high-sports of the more easily available items, plus a few rarities such as "Etidorhpa" and "The Apostle of the Cylinder." I correspond with only a couple of fans, but am more than willings to take all comers. I read as does Norm: critically if the story desrves that kind of attention--and generally I prefer that type, all too rare these days. My fan articles are few, this column being my activity mainstay. I've never attended a convention. I take very few fanzines. I hope to make those last three sentence untrue after the war; the spirit is more than willing. If one grants your "cultural-isolation-is-the-greatest-cause-of-war" thesis, major desiderata are (a) better communication, including a universal language, and (b) largely through (a), education. I agree with Trudy Kuslan and H.G. Wells on the extreme importance of the latter, irrespective of whether cultural isolation is a major cause (which I haven't decided yet, to tell the truth).

EN GARDE: handsome as usual. A written code of fan ethics might be a good thing, but it probably isn't necessary except perhaps for newcomers. I think we agree pretty well on what is and what isn't cricket. (I, with unaccustomed optimism, expect this sex business to solver itself, with the aid of federal postal regulations.)

WALTS WRAMBLINGS: book notes appreciated. I, reprobate that I am, thought "Three Bottles of Relish" stank. But then, to quote a good many people, there's no pleasing everybody. Other hobbies? Well, my being a stfan is a facet of my interest in literature in general, both for reading and for writing. My other major interest is music--classical. As Warner will wearily verify, my prime musical interest are Wagner, Richard Strauss, and--to venture into quite another field---Gilvert & Sullivan. But almost anything classical can hold my intererst if I'm in the proper mood. Sentimental popular music seems merely stupid; swing is somethins ingenious, but it rubs me the wrong way emotionally. The utter madness of Spike Jones I like (have you heard his wonderful version of "As Time Goes By"?).

THE PHANTAGRAPH: when the Futurians are constructive, they are perfectly swell (I'm yearning for another Wollheim pro-mag); when destructive, as too frequently, ugh! This time they're O.K.

BROWSING: always interesting. Strangest story I ever read? It's hard to say, but could I enter the Poictesme chapters from Cabell's "The Cream of the Jest"? They form a separate story, whose denoument left me completely flabbergasted. Or perhaps I should mention "All Out," by one of the Futurians; that one I have yet to figure out--any kind sould care to clarify it for me?

SUSTAINING PROGRAM: don't blame Warner for that review of "Die Frau ohne Schattten," Jack; I'm the guilty party. SusPro interesting as usual; I'm nuts about those stick-men, intellectual giant that I am. I

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Sayings of the Spence * * * 21 like it; it's affected. But it seems to have established itself until the substitute for "fan" comes along. I suppose I'll have to resign myself to it. And maybe even use it. "Stofan" is bad because of that "o" which snucj in there while somebody wasn't looking and besides 'tain't euphonious. By all means investigate "Look Homeward. Angel." I wnt overboard for Wolfe last fall, and have just now completed my set of his books with the addition of the short-story collection "From Death to Morning." His books form a series, describing in magnificently sensitive prose the evolution of a young man who was not as others are. On the subject of fan qualifications, I don't shine too brightly. I used to be a fanatical collector, but now collect only ASF and FFM (I have about 500 mags, some of which--Santander and Z-D--I plan to throw out). My book collection hits the high-sports of the more easily available items, plus a few rarities such as "Etidorhpa" and "The Apostle of the Cylinder." I correspond with only a couple of fans, but am more than willings to take all comers. I read as does Norm: critically if the story desrves that kind of attention--and generally I prefer that type, all too rare these days. My fan articles are few, this column being my activity mainstay. I've never attended a convention. I take very few fanzines. I hope to make those last three sentence untrue after the war; the spirit is more than willing. If one grants your "cultural-isolation-is-the-greatest-cause-of-war" thesis, major desiderata are (a) better communication, including a universal language, and (b) largely through (a), education. I agree with Trudy Kuslan and H.G. Wells on the extreme importance of the latter, irrespective of whether cultural isolation is a major cause (which I haven't decided yet, to tell the truth). EN GARDE: handsome as usual. A written code of fan ethics might be a good thing, but it probably isn't necessary except perhaps for newcomers. I think we agree pretty well on what is and what isn't cricket. (I, with unaccustomed optimism, expect this sex business to solver itself, with the aid of federal postal regulations.) WALTS WRAMBLINGS: book notes appreciated. I, reprobate that I am, thought "Three Bottles of Relish" stank. But then, to quote a good many people, there's no pleasing everybody. Other hobbies? Well, my being a stfan is a facet of my interest in literature in general, both for reading and for writing. My other major interest is music--classical. As Warner will wearily verify, my prime musical interest are Wagner, Richard Strauss, and--to venture into quite another field---Gilvert & Sullivan. But almost anything classical can hold my intererst if I'm in the proper mood. Sentimental popular music seems merely stupid; swing is somethins ingenious, but it rubs me the wrong way emotionally. The utter madness of Spike Jones I like (have you heard his wonderful version of "As Time Goes By"?). THE PHANTAGRAPH: when the Futurians are constructive, they are perfectly swell (I'm yearning for another Wollheim pro-mag); when destructive, as too frequently, ugh! This time they're O.K. BROWSING: always interesting. Strangest story I ever read? It's hard to say, but could I enter the Poictesme chapters from Cabell's "The Cream of the Jest"? They form a separate story, whose denoument left me completely flabbergasted. Or perhaps I should mention "All Out," by one of the Futurians; that one I have yet to figure out--any kind sould care to clarify it for me? SUSTAINING PROGRAM: don't blame Warner for that review of "Die Frau ohne Schattten," Jack; I'm the guilty party. SusPro interesting as usual; I'm nuts about those stick-men, intellectual giant that I am. I