Amazing Stories, Vol. 2, No. 2 — page 101: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Discus sions— RED DUST FUNGI, MR. BURROUGHS AND THE GERMANS Editor, AMAZING STORIES: In your February issue, you report a fungus dis- covered in France that is like the fungus described in the Red Dust story, except that it 1s smaller, of course. That reminds me that in my native state (Arkansas) I have often seen a similar thing. ‘They spring up there by the thousands, from the size of a marble to the size of a large turnip. Some are round, while others are the shape of a door knob. I don’t remember whether or not they burst of their own accord, but I do know that when stepped on or touched, they send up a cloud ‘of dust which is very irritating to the nostrils and lungs. I never heard any scientific name for them. The natives call them Devil’s Snuff Bores. For all I know, they may grow in many States, “but I don’t remember seeing them anywhere else. I have been a subscriber to AMAZING STORIES from the first issue, and I shall continue to be as long as I live, unless I outlive the magazine, and that is not probable. The stories by Wells, Verne, Serviss and a few others are not only good science (presenting visions of scientific possibilities or pobabilities), but they are good literature, as well. Some of the others are not great literature, but their science and mechanics seem good. I note that some of your readers request you to publish some of the Dr. Hackensaw_ stories. As for myself, I hope you don’t. Dr. Hackensaw is about the most overworked fiction character that I know of. He is not content to master any one profession, but his superhuman genius is so limit- less that he masters dozens and scores of them and becomes a veritable creating god in each. It is ridiculous. Moreover, he is a sort of ‘“‘Foxy Grandpa’’ scien- tist and inventor, lacking dignity of expression. His attempts to be humorous are pitiful and child- ish. But the author’s science is good and I always read the stories. It is unfortunate that he lacks literary style. I think he should give up fiction and write his scientific speculations in essay form, - But this is only a minor objection of mine. I yive a more serious criticism to offer regarding “Phe Land That Time Forgot,’ by Edgar Rice Bur- roughs. Most of the story is good, in some re- spects almost as good as Wells’ “The Lost World,” and the author handles his subject with dignity and clearness. But, O, how he hates the Germans! It is amaz- ing that a man of his vision and genius should be <9 narrow in that respect. If the great war were still going on, there might be some excuse for it. But the war has been over for nearly nine years, and I think it is time for the world to forget its war hatreds, “bury the hatchet’? and _ cultivate friendship. There is nothing to be gained by con- tinuing to rub salt into those old wounds. Even the French, who suffered more than any other nation except Belgium, are seemingly becoming reconciled and friendly with Germany, and if the French can lay aside their war-hates, surely we can. I am neither German nor pro-German. I hated the Kaiser and his regime as much as any other American, and ‘‘gave till it hurt” to see them licked. I have known hundreds of German people, and found most of them to be as kind, honest, generous and honorable as any other people. During the war, no doubt, they did commit atrocities. But so did the Allies, only we don’t hear much about that. Atrocities are to be expected during war time. Else it wouldn’t be war. The Germans did sink American ships before we entered the war, but if they sunk a ship and then con- tinued to fire on women and children while they were getting into small boats and after, I never ‘heard of it. And even if reported, war news 1s often exaggerated for a purpose. But however that may be, the war is over and it is time to heal old wounds, and it ill-becomes Mr. Burroughs, at this late day, to add fire to the flame of hate with such obviously biased history or fiction. With best wishes for your splendid magazine, I remain, M. B. Butter, ‘Past, Galat: [The story of ‘‘The Red Dust,’ while very im- aginative, has a strong fiber of good natural history, -entomological and botanical, woven through it, which adds to its interest and gives it true, scien- tific value. Its graphic descriptions of the fauna and flora of the strange region are most instructive independent of the vivid interest they impart. Your confirmation is a tribute to the Author’s correctness. The Devil’s Snuff Box is a fungus, a puff ball of the “Lycoperdaciae’” family. The Giant Puff Ball (Calvatia bovista) probably comes as near our red ‘dust fungi as any of the tribe. THE LAND THAT TIME FORGOT, you ob- serve, is dated as occurring during the World War, and is based on ane work of a German submarine, so you must overlook the ‘‘atmosphere,’ as t critics term it.—EDITOR.] - ae AMAZING STORIES 205 They Laughed When [Sat Down At the Piano But When | Started to Play!~ “Can he really play?” I heard a girl whisper to Arthur, as I sat down at the piano. “Heavens, no,” Arthur exclaimed. played a note in all his life.” Then I gave them the surprise of their lives. Instantly a tense silence fell on the I played the first few bars of Liszt’s im- I heard gasps of amazement. My friends sat breathless—spellbound! I played on. started to play. guests. IL mortal Liebestraume. A COMPLETE TRIUMPH! As the last notes of the Liebestraume died away, the room resounded with a sudden roar of applause. Everybody was plying me with ques- tions—“‘Jack! 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