Truth, Jan. 9, 1890.
SIR――I can hardly imagine that the public are in the very smallest
degree interested in the shrill shrieks of “Plagiarism” that proceed
from time to time out of the lips of silly vanity or incompetent
mediocrity.
However, as Mr. James Whistler has had the impertinence to attack
me with both venom and vulgarity in your columns, I hope you will
allow me to state that the assertions contained in his letters are as
deliberately untrue as they are deliberately offensive.
The definition of a disciple as one who has the courage of the opinions
of his master is really too old even for Mr. Whistler to be allowed
to claim it, and as for borrowing Mr. Whistler’s ideas about Art, the
only thoroughly original ideas I have ever heard him express have had
reference to his own superiority as a painter over painters greater
than himself.
It is a trouble for any gentleman to have to notice the lucubrations of
so ill-bred and ignorant a person as Mr. Whistler, but your publication
of his insolent letter left me no option in the matter.
I remain, Sir, faithfully yours,
OSCAR WILDE.