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[3 June 1879] St Stephen’s Club

My dear Browning, Your bible and prayer book only exists in a bookseller’s Utopia! There is no such thing: I ransacked all Paternoster Row on this wretched rainy day and found nothing that would suit you. I told however the Bible Society to send you down a small paragraph Bible 10/- plainly rather uglily bound. The only thing I could find.

I am afraid you will have to take refuge in an Edition de Luxe of Keble’s Christian Year if you want something nice. I am so sorry my search is so unsuccessful.

I wish so much you could have been with me last night. Sarah Bernhardt’s Phedre was the most splendid creation I ever witnessed. The scene only lasted 10 minutes yet she worked the audience to a strained pitch of excitement such as I never saw. It seems so foolish to call French Tragedy stilted: the scene last night was not a bit ‘εχ δσυóς χαι πετσης’ [out of oak and stone] but the most impassioned human nature.

About Tuesday 17th I fear I must be in Oxford. I could not say definitely if I could come with you or not; it’s so far off and life is so intricate. I had a charming time at Cambridge for which accept my best thanks. Truly yours

OSCAR WILDE

Please remember me to your charming friend Stokes whom I like so much.