It has made gain not growth its aim." Humor too is never far away: "Only one class thinks more about money than the rich and that is the poor." His short stay in the United States also benefited him....

"Democracy means simply the bludgeoning of the people by the people for the people.
It has been found out." Taken all in all a provocative delightful essay which like _Salome_ in the aesthetic field marks the end of his _Lehrjahre_ and the beginning of his work as a master.
A LAST WORD In the couple of years that have elapsed since the first edition of this book was published, I have received many letters from readers asking for information about Wilde which I have omitted to give.

I have been threatened with prosecution and must not speak plainly; but something may be said in answer to those who contend that Oscar might have brought forward weightier arguments in his defence than are to be found in Chapter XXIV.

As a matter of fact I have made him more persuasive than he was.

When Oscar declared (as recorded on page 496) that his weakness was "consistent with the highest ideal of humanity if not a characteristic of it," I asked him: "would he make the same defence for the Lesbians ?" He turned aside showing the utmost disgust in face and words, thus in my opinion giving his whole case away.
He could have made a better defence.