Details
WILDE, Oscar. Autograph letter signed ("Oscar Wilde") TO ARTHUR SYMONS, 16 Tite St., Chelsea [London], n.d. [envelope postmarked 1 October 1890]. 2 pages, 8vo, on Wilde's stationery bearing printed address, with original stamped envelope addressed by Wilde. WILDE TO SYMONS. "Dear Mr. Symons, Your friend has my full authority to translate my essay on Criticism -- I think that on 'The Decay of Lying' has been already done, and I am making arrangements for a translation of Dorian Gray. Believe me...Oscar Wilde."
Arthur Symons (1865-1945) had at this date published a critical study of Robert Browning, a collection of his own verse, Days and Nights (1889) and had submitted a poem to Woman's World while Wilde was editor. In a letter a few weeks later, Wilde states that "it was a great pleasure meeting you, as I had admired your work for a long time" (letter of 22 October, Hart Davis, Letters of Oscar Wilde, 276). Wilde's curious critical work "The Decay of Lying," which he conceived as a trumpet "blown against the gate of dullness," had been published in the Fortnightly Review in January 1889 and reprinted in Intentions (1891). Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, after serial publication, appeared in book form in April 1891. Only a few letters of Wilde to Symons are extant. Apparently unpublished.
Arthur Symons (1865-1945) had at this date published a critical study of Robert Browning, a collection of his own verse, Days and Nights (1889) and had submitted a poem to Woman's World while Wilde was editor. In a letter a few weeks later, Wilde states that "it was a great pleasure meeting you, as I had admired your work for a long time" (letter of 22 October, Hart Davis, Letters of Oscar Wilde, 276). Wilde's curious critical work "The Decay of Lying," which he conceived as a trumpet "blown against the gate of dullness," had been published in the Fortnightly Review in January 1889 and reprinted in Intentions (1891). Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, after serial publication, appeared in book form in April 1891. Only a few letters of Wilde to Symons are extant. Apparently unpublished.