Этюд в багровых тонах

           Thereforealltheknowledgewhichhepossessedwassuchaswouldbeusefultohim. Ienumeratedinmyownmindallthevariouspointsuponwhichhehadshownmethathewasexceptionallywell-informed. Ieventookapencilandjottedthemdown. IcouldnothelpsmilingatthedocumentwhenIhadcompletedit. Itraninthisway— 

           SHERLOCKHOLMES—hislimits. 

           1.KnowledgeofLiterature.—Nil. 

           2.Philosophy.—Nil. 

           3.Astronomy.—Nil. 

           4.Politics.—Feeble. 

           5.Botany.—Variable.Wellupinbelladonna,opium,andpoisonsgenerally.Knowsnothingofpracticalgardening. 

           6.Geology.—Practical,butlimited.Tellsataglancedifferentsoilsfromeachother. Afterwalkshasshownmesplashesuponhistrousers,andtoldmebytheircolourandconsistenceinwhatpartofLondonhehadreceivedthem. 

           7.Chemistry.—Profound. 

           8.Anatomy.—Accurate,butunsystematic. 

           9.SensationalLiterature.—Immense.Heappearstoknoweverydetailofeveryhorrorperpetratedinthecentury. 

           10.Playstheviolinwell. 

           11.Isanexpertsinglestickplayer,boxer,andswordsman. 

           12.HasagoodpracticalknowledgeofBritishlaw.