ABSTRACT
After a decade of noisy oblivion, the writings of Oscar Wilde have received the recognition of a definitive edition, worthy as to form and complete in contents. No longer need we contend with the pornographic stock-broker at the book-auction, or shake our heads over the excessive prices of items listed in the catalogues under the dreadful caption of Oscariana. However, no one but the collector will complain that Wilde is no longer a rarity. Now at last we can fight in the light: we may ‘adopt an attitude,’ to use a phrase of Wilde’s own, toward a definitely presented literary talent; and even the apologists who plead that Villon was a rascal and Shakespeare a poacher, may judge whether or not we shall forget that the ‘apostle of the English Renaissance’ was an improper person.
