1889-11-12 to William Archer

Autograph letter signed, British Library, 350 words

[Edited for paragraph breaks, capitalization, spelling and punctuation.]

8 Kings Bench Walk, Temple

[Monday, 18 November 1889]

My dear Archer,

Your article reached me yesterday. I should have written to you at once but yesterday was spent in attacking Buchanan Our last fight.

I am much obliged to you and fully appreciate the kindness of your article. It is singularly true [that] outside of my circle of friends, English thought seems to me blank lunacy — a vast playground for every form of human stupidity. Dear me, there are times when the irritation produced by my inability to think as they think drives me mad. When I talk to you, to Robertson and some others I experience a sense of relief which I can only describe as analogous to passing from a crowd of chattering maniacs into the company of sane people. Upon my honour I am not exaggerating.

Why do you say that firm adherence to the axiom, the Leopard cannot change his spots etc., renders all development of character an impossibility? Surely you were writing hastily and without sufficient thought. A shrub develops into an oak and surely such development offers sufficient variety and we need not desire the oak to change into a beech. I don't often find fault with your judgement but I do here.

Your article was very kind and full of wisdom; the part about Pinero and the music halls particularly so.

Most sincerely yours

George Moore

(over)

I send you a copy of the Hawk containing a reply to my critics. I have finished a scenario in five acts which Tree is considering. He wants me to write part of it. That I do not feel inclined to do. If I do I shall not bring it to him. My leading character is a sort of Hamlet of the East End. The play is a story of a strike. If I decide to write it I will read you the scenario before I begin. The scenario is complete with every exit and entrance.