Page:Weird Tales Volume 6 Number 2 (1925-08).djvu/130



OW that has firmly established itself, it is possible (with the help of the readers) to lay out a definite program of even more wonderful stories for the future. The first issue of appeared in March, 1923, and the magazine has in its more than two years of existence made many very valuable contributions to literature. Its tales have dealt with the monstrosities of superstitious legend (werewolves, vampires, ghosts, banshees, etc.); with stark horror; strange monsters; cosmic cataclysms and the destruction of the universe; wars between the worlds; weird surgical devices; colossal inventions of the future; and the eternal conflict between evil beings and the forces of good.

Certain stories have been so outstanding that they have called forth scores of enthusiastic letters from the readers; and it is from these outstanding stories and the readers' comment on them that we are enabled to find out just what manner of stories you want. (For this magazine belongs to you, the readers, and it is only by your constant advice and comment that we can know whether you are pleased with the magazine or not.)

In under the old management, one of the stories that called forth the greatest enthusiasm was The Moon-Terror, by A. G. Birch—a two-part novelette relating how a group of Chinese scientists endeavored to shake the world to pieces by timing the stroke of an electric hammer to coincide with the vibratory period of the earth. This story was so popular that the entire reserve stock of magazines for May, 1923 (which contained the first installment) was sold out on special orders. Such pseudo-scientific stories have ever been popular with you, the readers, if we may judge by the letters received, and we shall print many more of them.

Two other stories that set a standard and are often referred to in the letters to The Eyrie are The Phantom Farmhouse, by Seabury Quinn, and The Rats in the Walls, by H. P. Lovecraft. Mr. Quinn's story was a fascinating werewolf tale, wherein the werewolf had likable human qualities. Mr. Lovecraft[s story was a particularly gruesome tale, superbly told, of devil-worship and underground rites, and a horrifying throwback to ancestral practises of eating human flesh—a tale with a dénouement that was utterly terrific. Sueh tales do not grow on every bush, but it is our earnest desire to give you many more such.

The three tales that top the list of popularity in the eight issues of that have so far been published by the present régime are When the Green Star Waned, by Nictzin Dyalhis; Whispering Tunnels, by Stephen Bagby; and Out of the Long Ago, by Seabury Quinn. The first is a highly