The Home Secretary would be glad if I would go down to Reading and report on Oscar Wilde's state.
"Everyone," said Sir Ruggles Brise, "speaks with admiration and delight of his wonderful talents.

The Home Secretary thinks it would be a great loss to English literature if he were really injured by the prison discipline.

Here is your order to see him alone, and a word of introduction to the Governor, and a request to give you all information." I could not speak.

I could only shake hands with him in silence.
What a country of anomalies England is! A judge of the High Court a hard self-satisfied pernicious bigot, while the official in charge of the prisons is a man of wide culture and humane views, who has the courage of a noble humanity.
I went to Reading Gaol and sent in my letter.

I was met by the Governor, who gave orders that Oscar Wilde should be conducted to a room where we could talk alone.