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The Faun of Rome: A Romance

by Oscar Wilde, edited by Nate Maturin

Nate Maturin, Author

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Letter 9: Wilde to Tafani, 7 May 1877

7 May, 1877

1 Merrion Sq North


Thank you for your kind words, my friend. It is indeed a relief that the fine, at least, has been revised, although the judgement seems hard still. I am sure I will be moved, at some point during my long break exile, to considering the work required by that Old Cricket.

My manuscript was not a <heavy>  burden, although I am afraid it may be to the kind person who is coping [sic] it out. I shall have it sent on when it is done. I ought to keep the pages, so as to be able to refer back to what has gone before and ensure that Volume 2 follows on in a sensible way. I have no intention of retelling old Hawthorne’s tale. The setting seems to me able to bear far more moving drama and brilliant personality than he allowed, and The Faun of Rome will be a fine Romance when I have had done with it! {The pun, gauche at first, grows in amusement!}

I have been musing on my characters people, and what might be done with them. It seems to me that Miriam might more easily combine personality with perfection than any of the others, although of course it is to Hawthorne’s discredit that we should attribute this flaw, rather than to their own. I am rather taken with my new Kenyon. I have made some changes to his upbringing and attitudes that, I think, brings him into greater sympathy with our heroine and less with his sometime-master, which is always the way of these things, when given half a chance!

I plan to do a spot of fishing, as the weather is now improved. I shall write to you of my petty triumphs. Do write to me of yours.


Faithfully,

Oscar

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