His Wit Never Failed

Abstract

I only met that unhappy man once. It was at a quiet family dinner given by a county court judge at Dinard; a party respectable even to the verge of dullness. There were then unpleasant rumours about Wilde, and I was strongly prejudiced against him. His appearance was not in his favour, heavy and sensual; but directly he spoke his whole face lit up, the aspect of the man changed and he seemed a different personality. I have never heard such talk in my life. The whole company was held spellbound. It was no monopoly, for his wit and wisdom all arose out of the general conversation, and much of the talk was as wise as it was witty. Discussing Browning’s poems someone regretted his obscurity. ‘You must remember’, was the comment, ‘every great truth is unintelligible. Then the master wants an audience and waters it down to the level of a disciple; then it becomes popular and is lost.’ In a moment he would turn to simple fun. In life it was suggested one had to begin at the bottom of the ladder. ‘No,’ was the comment, ‘begin at the top and sit upon it.’

Without Prejudice; Impressions of Life and Law (London: Faber & Faber, 1936) pp. 211–12. Editor’s title.