Then, I take it that no matter how immoral a book may be, if it is well written it is, in your opinion, a good book?--Yes; if it were well written so as to produce a sense of beauty which is the highest sense of which a human being can be capable. If it were badly written it would produce a sense of disgust. Then a well-written book putting forward perverted moral views may be a good book?--No work of art ever puts forward views. Views belong to people who are not artists. A novel of "a certain kind" might be a good book?--I do not know what you mean by "a novel of a certain kind." Then I will suggest "Dorian Gray" as open to the interpretation of being a novel of that kind.--That could only be to brutes and illiterates. An illiterate person reading "Dorian Gray" might consider it such a novel?--The views of illiterates on art are unaccountable. I am concerned only with my view of art. I do not care twopence what other people think of it. The majority of persons would come under your definition of Philistines and illiterates?--I have found wonderful exceptions. Do you think the majority of people live up to the position you are giving us?--I am afraid they are not cultivated enough. Not cultivated enough to draw the distinction between a good book and a bad book?--Certainly not. The affection and love of the artist of "Dorian Gray" might lead an ordinary individual to believe that it might have a certain tendency?--I have no knowledge of the views of ordinary individuals. You did not prevent the ordinary individual from buying your book?--I have never discouraged him. Mr. Carson then read an extract extending to several pages from "Dorian Gray," using the version as it appeared in _Lippincott's Magazine_[34], describing the meeting of Dorian Gray and the painter Basil Hallward. "Now, I ask you, Mr. Wilde," added Counsel, "do you consider that that description of the feeling of one man towards another, a youth just grown up, was a proper or an improper feeling?"--"I think," replied the author, "it is the most perfect description of what an artist would feel on meeting a beautiful personality which was in some way necessary to his art and life." Counsel: You think that is a feeling a young man should have towards another? Witness: Yes, as an artist. Mr. Carson proceeded to read another long extract. Mr. Wilde asked for a copy, and was given one of the complete edition. Mr. Carson in calling his attention to the place, remarked, "I believe it was left out in the purged edition?" Witness: I do not call it purged. Counsel: Yes, I know that; but we will see. Mr. Carson then read a lengthy passage from "Dorian Gray" as originally published[35], and said, "Do you mean to say that that passage describes the natural feeling of one man towards another?"--"It would be the influence produced on an artist by a beautiful personality," was the reply. Counsel: A beautiful person?