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Spaceways, v. 3, issue 6, whole no. 22, August 1941

20 SPACEWAYS
THE READERS ALWAYS WRITE

Continuing from last issue the letter of Richard G. Medhurst, 126, Finborough Road, West Brompton, London, S.W. 10, England: Don't object to competent criticism of Palmer's policy, but I can't get very much fun out of wild and random attacks such as that of Tom Wright, in the same issue. Such a remark as "Maybe Palmer's jealous because he doesn't get the epics.". I believe I'm right in thinking that Palmer's rates are as high as any in the field, so that isn't a hindrance. Presumably, he just doesn't believe in selling power of these "epics". "The Red Peri" of course, on a mere point of chronology, isn't in the same "epic" class as "Skylark" and "Moon Pool". Can quite understand if "Palmer doesn't understand or can't conceive of Smith's science." For the very good reason that "Smith's science" largely doesn't exist. At least, I haven't noticed it "good and accurate" or otherwise. As for what the "astounding" ratings of "Grey Lensman" "prove" they might go to show that G.L. was darn good or that the rest of Astounding was -well, what do you think? Always assuming of course, that Astounding's readers are good judges of literary values. " Found Walter Sullivan's article very interesting. Actually, Shanks did bring out that novel that he was "too lazy to write" soon after. 'Twas called: "The People of the Ruins" published in London by Collins in 1920. I gather it's a tale of the collapse of Britain under "Communist rule", though I haven't managed to read it yet. The thing of Jack London is "The Scarlet Plague", at least in the later editions. Shanks' claim that "by that time they (-the pre war stf-) had become extremely difficult to trace" is rather surprising. IN my collection alone, comprising some 650 volumes, probably half are pre-war (the '14-'18 war!) and I have notes on a good many more. "If Walter Sullivan is looking for early reviews and discussions of stf. I'd recommend that review of Joseph Atterly's "Voyage to the Moon" in vol. 3 of the American Quarterly Review, over which Poe made such curious blunders. Fairly recently, Prof. Marjorie Nicholson brought out an interesting, if far from exhaustive, study of early space-flight in the "Smith College Studies in English Literature" series (I fear I haven't the precise title handy at the moment), while, going a long way back, Bishop Wilkins in his "DIscovery of a World in the Moon" (first published 1638) has a lengthy analysis of previous notions of the Moon and Lunar flight." Agree with Shanks on Shiel's "Purple Cloud". A splendid effort. Flecker's "The Last Generation" came out as a sixpenny paper-back pamphlet put out by a Fabian publishing house in 1908. In the 1930's it figured in Moggs' (the rare book-dealors) catalogue at between 4 and 5 pounds sterling. 
Louis Russell Chauvenet, Tallwood Plantation , Esmot, Virginia, types: Cover-drawing , 5, Yellow paper 8; it looks very pretty, thankee kindly! Control Room 7, To Mr. Fort 6, How To Be a Hack 9. I deny that Quietman would make a good name for a character in a story. Closest I ever saw to it was Alan Quatermain, and at that, Alan was a tough bozo. The article in general is some of the best stuff I've seen in Spaceways for some time, excepting, of course, the "Confidential Notes"......" Beacon Light 7. I have met Oliver King Smith, and therefore naturally do not believe in the Futurian's suggestion that he is mere fiction of Singleton's brain. I happen to know, however, that SIngleton's family, or at least part of it, live in Philadelphia, which made me sceptical of the tale; also, logically the body would have been cremated in Boston and the ashes shipped home. And as for Singleton living in Washington, I have been to his address there, and talked to friends of his, and also to his landlady, altho he was out both times I called. He lives there all right. Paradise 5. This idea is one which I have seen in perhaps half a dozen sketches and tales in other places. 
Graph Waldeyer writes: That terrible little word leered out from Page 11 of Spaceways, so here is 25c for three more copies. An excellent issue all through. Allow me to comment on the piece How To Be a Hack by Pumphandle J. Snort "If you can write professionally smooth slop" snorts Pumphandle, unquote, you have about a billion to one chance to sell TWS. And that statement, in our opinion, explains why Mr. Snort hasn't sold TWS. He labored under the

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20 SPACEWAYS THE READERS ALWAYS WRITE Continuing from last issue the letter of Richard G. Medhurst, 126, Finborough Road, West Brompton, London, S.W. 10, England: Don't object to competent criticism of Palmer's policy, but I can't get very much fun out of wild and random attacks such as that of Tom Wright, in the same issue. Such a remark as "Maybe Palmer's jealous because he doesn't get the epics.". I believe I'm right in thinking that Palmer's rates are as high as any in the field, so that isn't a hindrance. Presumably, he just doesn't believe in selling power of these "epics". "The Red Peri" of course, on a mere point of chronology, isn't in the same "epic" class as "Skylark" and "Moon Pool". Can quite understand if "Palmer doesn't understand or can't conceive of Smith's science." For the very good reason that "Smith's science" largely doesn't exist. At least, I haven't noticed it "good and accurate" or otherwise. As for what the "astounding" ratings of "Grey Lensman" "prove" they might go to show that G.L. was darn good or that the rest of Astounding was -well, what do you think? Always assuming of course, that Astounding's readers are good judges of literary values. " Found Walter Sullivan's article very interesting. Actually, Shanks did bring out that novel that he was "too lazy to write" soon after. 'Twas called: "The People of the Ruins" published in London by Collins in 1920. I gather it's a tale of the collapse of Britain under "Communist rule", though I haven't managed to read it yet. The thing of Jack London is "The Scarlet Plague", at least in the later editions. Shanks' claim that "by that time they (-the pre war stf-) had become extremely difficult to trace" is rather surprising. IN my collection alone, comprising some 650 volumes, probably half are pre-war (the '14-'18 war!) and I have notes on a good many more. "If Walter Sullivan is looking for early reviews and discussions of stf. I'd recommend that review of Joseph Atterly's "Voyage to the Moon" in vol. 3 of the American Quarterly Review, over which Poe made such curious blunders. Fairly recently, Prof. Marjorie Nicholson brought out an interesting, if far from exhaustive, study of early space-flight in the "Smith College Studies in English Literature" series (I fear I haven't the precise title handy at the moment), while, going a long way back, Bishop Wilkins in his "DIscovery of a World in the Moon" (first published 1638) has a lengthy analysis of previous notions of the Moon and Lunar flight." Agree with Shanks on Shiel's "Purple Cloud". A splendid effort. Flecker's "The Last Generation" came out as a sixpenny paper-back pamphlet put out by a Fabian publishing house in 1908. In the 1930's it figured in Moggs' (the rare book-dealors) catalogue at between 4 and 5 pounds sterling. Louis Russell Chauvenet, Tallwood Plantation , Esmot, Virginia, types: Cover-drawing , 5, Yellow paper 8; it looks very pretty, thankee kindly! Control Room 7, To Mr. Fort 6, How To Be a Hack 9. I deny that Quietman would make a good name for a character in a story. Closest I ever saw to it was Alan Quatermain, and at that, Alan was a tough bozo. The article in general is some of the best stuff I've seen in Spaceways for some time, excepting, of course, the "Confidential Notes"......" Beacon Light 7. I have met Oliver King Smith, and therefore naturally do not believe in the Futurian's suggestion that he is mere fiction of Singleton's brain. I happen to know, however, that SIngleton's family, or at least part of it, live in Philadelphia, which made me sceptical of the tale; also, logically the body would have been cremated in Boston and the ashes shipped home. And as for Singleton living in Washington, I have been to his address there, and talked to friends of his, and also to his landlady, altho he was out both times I called. He lives there all right. Paradise 5. This idea is one which I have seen in perhaps half a dozen sketches and tales in other places. Graph Waldeyer writes: That terrible little word leered out from Page 11 of Spaceways, so here is 25c for three more copies. An excellent issue all through. Allow me to comment on the piece How To Be a Hack by Pumphandle J. Snort "If you can write professionally smooth slop" snorts Pumphandle, unquote, you have about a billion to one chance to sell TWS. And that statement, in our opinion, explains why Mr. Snort hasn't sold TWS. He labored under the