WSG to Pall Mall Gazette, Dec. 13, 1888, p. 6.

MR. CLEMENT SCOTT AND MR. W.S. GILBERT.

To the EDITOR of the PALL MALL GAZETTE.

Sir, – In your Occasional Notes of to-day’s issue you state that I have written to the proprietors of the Daily Telegraph, not only protesting against Mr. Clement Scott’s criticism of "Brantinghame Hall," but "absolutely demanding his dismissal from the post of dramatic critic." You add that you are credibly informed that this is true, though in itself the thing seems incredible.  As I am in receipt of a letter from Mr. Clement Scott in which he informs me that it is his deliberate intention to make it generally known that I have written to Mr. Lawson to demand his dismissal, I am justified, I suppose, in assuming that it is to him that you are indebted, directly or indirectly, for this preposterous statement.  Such a statement is, of course, calculated to prejudice me most seriously in the eyes of dramatic critics and theatrical managers, and I have therefore instructed my solicitor to commence proceedings for libel against Mr. Clement Scott forthwith.  In the meantime I content myself with requesting you to allow me to assure your readers that the statement that I have written to the proprietors of the Daily Telegraph demanding Mr. Clement Scott’s dismissal from the post of dramatic critic is absolutely untrue.—

Contributed to the Archive by Arthur Robinson

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