He was regarded as a leader among them when still at Oxford.

Yet his early writings show no trace of such a prepossession; they are wholly void of offence, without even a suggestion of coarseness, as pure indeed as his talk.

Nevertheless, as soon as his name came up among men in town, the accusation of abnormal viciousness was either made or hinted.

Everyone spoke as if there were no doubt about his tastes, and this in spite of the habitual reticence of Englishmen.

I could not understand how the imputation came to be so bold and universal; how so shameful a calumny, as I regarded it, was so firmly established in men's minds.
Again and again I protested against the injustice, demanded proofs; but was met only by shrugs and pitying glances as if my prejudice must indeed be invincible if I needed evidence of the obvious.
I have since been assured, on what should be excellent authority, that the evil reputation which attached to Oscar Wilde in those early years in London was completely undeserved.