Men of genius themselves, like Maeterlinck, Verhaeren, Theo. Hannon, Sander-Perron, Julius Hoste, Octave Maus, Albert Giraud, Valère Gilley some of them Catholics like Iwan Gilkin, the author of "Promethée," George Virrès, Du Catillon! The élite of Flanders and Wallonie!
Great penmen sent forth word from the neighbouring land of France that they held Eekhoud and all his works in the highest esteem—José de Heredia, Maurice Barres, Anatole France, Emile Zola, Edmond Haraucourty Catulle Mendis, and a host more, attested that this fox-terrier like worrying of a classic, such as "Escal Vigor," was odious to their souls; that a work of art could not, and should not, be judged save by a jury of competent literary men.
On Friday the 26th of October, 1900, George Eekhoud was acquitted. He left the Court "without a stain upon his character." "Escal Vigor" was exculpated from the accusation of intentional pornography and its gifted author came little short of apotheosis on the spot.
Thus it ever is and must be!
Eekhoud counts now among the great writers not of Belgium alone, but of the wide world.
