isome when introduced into
the chatter of society than when he rolls them off in the course of
his narrative. Some of the conversation in his novel is very smart,
and while reading it one has the pleasant feeling, not often to be
enjoyed in the company of modern novelists, of being entertained by
a person of decided ability. The idea of the book may have been
suggested by Balzac's "Peau de Chagrin," and it is none the worse
for that. So much may be said for "The Picture of Dorian Gray," but
no more, except, perhaps, that the author does not appear to be in
earnest. For the rest, the book is unmanly, sickening, vicious
(though not exactly what is called "improper"), and tedious.

Mr. R.H. Sherard, in his recently published "Life of Oscar Wilde"
(Werner Laurie, 1906), gives some interesting particulars as to the
reasons which induced Wilde to write the book, while the views of a
French _litterateur_ on "Dorian Gray" may be read in M. Andre Gide's
"Study," a translation of which, by the present editor, was issued from
the Holywell Press, Oxford, in 1905.

[32] November 1891.

[33] Pp. 14, 15 (1891 edition).

* * * * *

_A critic cannot be fair in the ordinary sense of the word._

* * * * *

THE MORALITY OF "DORIAN GRAY."

The question of the morality of "Dorian Gray" was dealt with very fully
during the trial of the Marquis of Queensberry for libel, and also in
the subsequent trials of Wilde himself, when, the libel action having
collapsed, Wilde was transferred from the witness-box to the dock.

At the trial of Lord Queensberry at the Old Bailey on April 3rd, 1895,
Sir Edward Clarke, in his opening speech for the prosecution, referred
to what he called "an extremely curious count at the end of the plea,"
namely, that in July, 1890, Mr. Wilde published, or caused to be
published, with his name upon the title page, a certain immoral and
indecent work, with the title of "The Picture of Dorian Gray," which was
intended to be understood by the readers to describe the relations,
intimacies and passions of certain persons guilty of unnatural
practices. That, said Sir Edward, was a very gross allegation. The
volume could be bought at any bookstall in London. It had Mr. Wilde's
name on the title page, and had been published five years. The story of
the book was that of a young man of good birth, great w