The Blue Carbuncle: Cubic Capacity

[ennui-enigma.livejournal.com]

Canon: The Blue Carbuncle (BLUE)
Title: Cubic Capacity
Author: ennui_enigma
POV: Watson
A/N: Prompted by Holmes’ bold statement that starts off this narrative.

“It is a question of cubic capacity,” said he; “a man with so large a brain must have something in it.”

I shook my head.

The following day I offered him a large bowler hat. “Pray, what do you infer?”

Holmes deposited it upon his head. “What an enormous cerebrum,” he exclaimed. “Undoubtedly a genius!”

“Not a genius, Holmes. A patient with hydrocephalous.”

Holmes was silent as he thoughtfully removed the hat. “Well done, Watson,” he said with a rueful smile.

Comments

[hisietari.livejournal.com]

Watson, the pioneer in getting Victorians off their terrible physicism. I like your approach a lot because this topic is something that's often upsetting me in the canon stories.

[ennui-enigma.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

I thought it was quite appropriate for Watson to help Holmes broaden his perspectives .

[chess-ka.livejournal.com]

AHAHA! Fantastic, Watson :D A much more sensible, reasonable deduction ;)

[ennui-enigma.livejournal.com]

Yep!

And the best way is for Holmes to deduce and learn 'hands on'. Go Watson!

[debriswoman]

Good for Watson-considering all alternatives, and making Holmes stop and think:-)

[ennui-enigma.livejournal.com]

Wouldn't want the world premier consulting detective going around with such an obviously false assumption. Watson knew his friend. Best way to correct him was by demonstration :-P

[debriswoman]

Yes, a very effective method, demonstrating that Holmes still has not learned his friend's limits:-)

[ennui-enigma.livejournal.com]

And likely never will! Watson, mystery man with unforeseen surprises to the end :-)

[debriswoman]

A bit like the Scarlet Pimpernel:-)

Wait! You don't think...?

[ennui-enigma.livejournal.com]

Hm. Now that is an intriguing thought! Both mysterious men...thoroughly enjoy the Scarlet Pimpernel too.

"'The Scarlet Pimpernel, Mademoiselle,' he said at last, 'is the name of a humble English wayside flower; but it is also the name chosen to hide the identity of the best and bravest man in all the world, so that he may better succeed in accomplishing the noble task he has set himself to do.'"
- Baroness Orczy, The Scarlet Pimpernel.

Not a bad description of Watson :-P

[debriswoman]

My case rests:-)

Sunday, 25 November 2012

[livejournal.livejournal.com]

User thisprettywren referenced to your post from Sunday, 25 November 2012 (http://holmesian-news.livejournal.com/251621.html) saying: [...] by (Other | G | ACD) Cubic Capacity [...]

[mundungus42.livejournal.com]

*cackles* Well done, indeed! The Victorian period full of scientific progress and lingering poppycock (like phrenology), and this takes on one aspect of canon that has aged poorly in an ingenious and delightful way. *standing ovation*

[ennui-enigma.livejournal.com]

*bows* thank you. thank you very much :-)

You're right, this particular aspect has not aged well in the canon. Glad you enjoyed :-)

[methylviolet10b]

LOL! A nice takedown of phrenology and Holmes all in one. Brava!

[ennui-enigma.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[spacemutineer.livejournal.com]

Yup, many of Holmes' inferences from the hat are questionable, but that one is the most egregious. Does he think Henry Baker is more intelligent and intellectual than he is? But his head is demonstrably bigger. It's all a phrenology scam that Holmes has fallen for, and I love that you took that on here. And the best part is you gave the demonstration to the doctor, who would surely know the facts.

[ennui-enigma.livejournal.com]

A good question -- guess Holmes figures he uses his brains more efficiently than Baker :-)

I like to let Watson's own particular genius shine though when I can. Glad you approved!