From Oscar Wilde, Exeter, to J. M'Neill Whistler, Tite Street.--Punch too ridiculous--when you and I are together we never talk about anything except ourselves. II. (World, February 25, 1885.) DEAR BUTTERFLY,--By the aid of a biographical dictionary I made the discovery that there were once two painters, called Benjamin West and Paul Delaroche, who rashly lectured upon Art. As of their works nothing at all remains, I conclude that they explained themselves away. Be warned in time, James; and remain, as I do, incomprehensible. To be great is to be misunderstood.--Tout a vous, OSCAR WILDE. III. (World, November 24,1886.) ATLAS,--This is very sad! With our James vulgarity begins at home, and should be allowed to stay there.--A vous, OSCAR WILDE. REPLY TO WHISTLER (Truth, January 9, 1890.) To the Editor of Truth. SIR,--I can hardly imagine that the public is in the very smallest degree interested in the shrill shrieks of 'Plagiarism' that proceed from time to time out of the lips of silly vanity or incompetent mediocrity. However, as Mr. James Whistler has had the impertinence to attack me with both venom and vulgarity in your columns, I hope you will allow me to state that the assertions contained in his letter are as deliberately untrue as they are deliberately offensive. The definition of a disciple as one who has the courage of the opinions of his master is really too old even for Mr. Whistler to be allowed to claim it, and as for borrowing Mr. Whistler's ideas about art, the only thoroughly original ideas I have ever heard him express have had reference to his own superiority as a painter over painters greater than himself. It is a trouble for any gentleman to have to notice the lucubrations of so ill-bred and ignorant a person as Mr. Whistler, but your publication of his insolent letter left me no option in the matter.--I remain, sir, faithfully yours, OSCAR WILDE. 16 TITE STREET, CHELSEA, S. W. LETTERS ON DORIAN GRAY I. MR. WILDE'S BAD CASE (St. James's Gazette, June 26, 1890.) To the Editor of the St. James's Gazette. SIR,--I have read your criticism of my story, The Picture of Dorian Gray; and I need hardly say that I do not propose to discuss its merits or demerits, its personalities or its lack of personality. England is a free country, and ordinary English criticism is perfectly free and easy. Besides, I must admit that, either from temperament or taste, or from both, I am quite incapable of understanding how any work of art can be criticised from a moral standpoint. The sphere of art and the sphere of ethics are absolutely distinct and separate; and it is to the confusion between the two that we owe the appearance of Mrs. Grundy, that amusing old lady who represents the only original form of humour that the middle classes of this country have been able to produce. What I do object to most strongly is that you should have placarded the town with posters on which was printed in large letters:--