The Evening News - Wednesday, April 17, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
OSCAR WILDE
Is the Cause of a Duel Between French Literary Men.
In answer to a paragraph which appeared in the Petite Chronique des Lettres, signed by Jules Huret, in which the latter alluded to the amicable relations existing between Catulle Mendès and Oscar Wilde, M. Catulle Mendès sent the following telegram to Jules Huret, which was published in the Parisian papers: "Sir—If you acted as a reporter you were very badly informed. If you wished to be funny you are a fool."
M. Jules Huret replied as follows: "I have just returned from the country and I find your telegram in my Petite Chronique des Lettres. I had only intended to allude to the literary relations existing between Oscar Wilde and yourself. As it pleases you to interpret my words in a more general sense, I cannot combat an opinion then good grounds for which you know of better than myself. Vous êtes un homme d’esprit."
This uncomplimentary message was duly published in the Parisian papers. When Jules Huret came home he got the telegram, and replied: "I have just returned from the country, and I find your telegram in my Petite Chronique des Lettres. I had only intended to allude to the literary relations existing between Oscar Wilde and yourself. As it pleases you to interpret my words in a more general sense, I cannot combat an opinion on good grounds for which you know better than myself. 'Vous étes un homme d'esprit.'"
As a consequence of the quarrel the parties to-day fight a duel with swords.