if somewhat bitter, caricature of the
Philistine as drawn by himself. I admit that something of the kind had
occurred to me when I read 'H.'s' first letter--the one in which he
proposes that the test of art should be the political opinions of the
artist, and that if one differed from the artist on the question of the
best way of misgoverning Ireland, one should always abuse his work.
Still, there are such infinite varieties of Philistines, and North
Britain is so renowned for seriousness, that I dismissed the idea as one
unworthy of the editor of a Scotch paper. I now fear that I was wrong,
and that you have been amusing yourself all the time by inventing little
puppets and teaching them how to use big words. Well, Sir, if it be
so--and my friend is strong upon the point--allow me to congratulate you
most sincerely on the cleverness with which you have reproduced that lack
of literary style which is, I am told, essential for any dramatic and
lifelike characterisation. I confess that I was completely taken in; but
I bear no malice; and as you have, no doubt, been laughing at me up your
sleeve, let me now join openly in the laugh, though it be a little
against myself. A comedy ends when the secret is out. Drop your curtain
and put your dolls to bed. I love Don Quixote, but I do not wish to
fight any longer with marionettes, however cunning may be the master-hand
that works their wires. Let them go, Sir, on the shelf. The shelf is
the proper place for them. On some future occasion you can re-label them
and bring them out for our amusement. They are an excellent company, and
go well through their tricks, and if they are a little unreal, I am not
the one to object to unreality in art. The jest was really a good one.
The only thing that I cannot understand is why you gave your marionettes
such extraordinary and improbable names.--I remain, Sir, your obedient
servant, OSCAR WILDE.

16 TITE STREET, CHELSEA, August 13.

AN ANGLO-INDIAN'S COMPLAINT

(Times, September 26, 1891.)

To the Editor of the Times.

SIR,--The writer of a letter signed 'An Indian Civilian' that appears in
your issue of today makes a statement about me which I beg you to allow
me to correct at once.

He says I have described the Anglo-Indians as being vulgar. This is not
the case. Indeed, I have never met a vulgar Anglo-Indian. There may be
many, but those whom I have had the pleasure of meeting here have been
chiefly scholars,