Superb ALS signed “A. Conan Doyle,” one page both sides, 5.25 x 3.5, personal stationery card, November 12, [1926]. In part: “I remember old James Payn when I was his pupil giving me the standing rule, ‘Never argue with a critic.’ I have kept it fairly well (save in psychic matters) and I do not feel galled by criticism for I always feel that if one does the very best once can time will sort it out and what is worthy will remain & what dies should die. Therefore I hardly know why I wrote to you save that it is an interesting point to argue how far a falling off is real or apparent & how far the…mind reacts as it used to do. I was conscious at one time that Holmes was strained & for some years I only wrote one story a year. I can truly say I have never written to order or allowed the money side of it to influence me at all. But I have not felt him strained in this last series of six. Five of these are done, and I will not do the sixth if I have any reason to think there is a real declension. I have my ear on the ground.” In fine condition.James Payn became the editor of The Cornhill Magazine in 1883, and, in the same year, Doyle sent him the manuscript of his story, 'J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement.' The tale, which was inspired by the mystery of the 'Marie Celeste,' impressed Payn and it was published in January 1884. The two first met at the end of 1884, when Doyle was invited to a contributors' dinner held at the Ship Inn in Greenwich. In the years that followed, Payn often reviewed Doyle's work and was a generally supportive critic and mentor. In 1896, Payn had to step down as editor of The Cornhill Magazine due to ill health, but he and Doyle later collaborated on a play based on Payn’s novel 'Halves.’Format: ALS