1901-03-01 to William Archer

Autograph letter signed, British Library, 255 words

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

92 VICTORIA STREET, S.W.

Friday night [1 March 1901]

My dear Archer

If you cannot come to dinner tomorrow night, come after nine. But if you would like to dine with me come on Sunday. My only engagement is the 3rd.

I am afraid a triangular duel is out of the question, but no, anything you like I will do. I don’t think Yeats will object but together neither he nor I will appear to advantage nor will you. I have just read your interview with Pinero. Oh my, you do come out a pair of Tom Fools. Really, Really, Really!!

However I hope we shall talk better. I hope I shall be able to inspire better conversation and I hope you will be able to inspire me.

I can hardly write — I am shaking with laughter — I never read anything like that Real Conversation before — Poor Pinero, unhappy

Archer... Squalor, my dear friend, "ideas" and language both equally squalid. "The unhappy pair."

However we shall do better. Do you not admire my courage? I will read you some of the play if you like but there is so much to talk about! perhaps we had better talk.

Always yours

George Moore

I am leaving London for good at the end of March so do come to dinner. I may never have another chance of dining with you. Do come, we are very old friends.