Andrew Gordon August 28, 2003 One of the most ruthless leaders of the post-enlightened world, Napoleon Bonaparte, noted in his maxims that "Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets." Herein, Napoleon makes it abundantly clear of the effect of critics and there influence to readers; they could turn armies or simply stop the reading of a book. The remarkably erudite - himself a critic - Oscar Wilde, in a modernly unheard of …showed first 75 words of 702 total…

…showed last 75 words of 702 total… is apparent that the critic's purpose is rooted in disparage of Wilde's name. Tones provide vast support for this point; the critic being habitually stinging and sarcastic, while Wilde for the most-part righteous. Yet, both slip into periods of contempt for each other. With such an attacker present and gaining attention (surely true if Wilde himself read the paper), it can be conceived that Wilde's purpose in replying was to right an unjust wrong.