The play and its humour were a seven days' wonder in London.

People talked of nothing but "Lady Windermere's Fan." The witty words in it ran from lip to lip like a tidbit of scandal.

Some clever Jewesses and, strange to say, one Scotchman were the loudest in applause.

Mr.Archer, the well-known critic of _The World_, was the first and only journalist to perceive that the play was a classic by virtue of "genuine dramatic qualities." Mrs.Leverson turned the humorous sayings into current social coin in _Punch_, of all places in the world, and from a favourite Oscar Wilde rapidly became the idol of smart London.
The play was an intellectual triumph.

This time Oscar had not only won success but had won also the suffrages of the best.