Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-04-16
Maudic aud PostlethyvaH,c.
lLondon World.

TIE question must have suggested itself to
some people, whether after all Maudle and
Postlethwdite are quite such fools as they
seem: It Is true that they are efreminate. at.
with Philistintsm. But Maudle and Postle-
thwaite might have a very rational and practi-
cal explanation to give Of their goings-on.
Even from the point OF view OF Mr.. Du Maui
r1er, they have tolerably good time OF it.
That accomplished artist has clearly come to
the conclusion that life is not worth living
unless 1t Is lived In society. We escape from
the drawing. room only to ind ourselves In the
fashionable promenade at the fashionable
hour. or in what the artist appears to think
resembles the interior OF fashionable CLUB
duchesses. II 1t Is not his grace of Plantage-
Let and Lady Clara We're de We're, 1t Is Sir
GOTgiuS Midas and Mrs. POnsonby de TomkyDs
The lines which are cast In this atmosphere OF
magnifceDce, luxury and wealth have as
Suredly fallen In pleasant places. 1t Is all
very well to laugh at Maudle and Postle-
thwaite; but what well-regulated outsider ts
there who would not choose to be In these
idiots shoes? Very likely he would tain kick
them; but is he lot obliged to admit that they
are, In the cant Of the day, most emphati-
cally ''in" II? -ESthettctsm may be az aSinine
as IL seems; but who can doubt that, accepting
MI. Du Maurier's estimate OF It's social oppor-
tunities, it pays?
Let us remember how Brutus, on men-
cradle occasion, imposed On hts friends and
enemies. Let us also remember that the pro.
1oUndest OF psychological critics have never
yet Deen able satisfactorily to settle whether
Hamlet's madness was feigned or real, The
fdiOcy OF POstlethWaite suggests the sane con
NoVeTsy: and Tor ourselves we have very little
doubt how that controversy should be decided
There Is no denying that Postlethwaite's ap-
pearance is repulsiVe, that his long straight
hair IS ridiculous, that his artistic patOs Is in
siderable TO sensible men. Equally impos-
sieie Is it to deny that society, whether it may
laugh Or lot, likes and encourages these eX-
trav6gances. PoStlethwalte may be sneered
at and satirized; his inaptitudes may be the
line Indignation may be emptied over his
head. But the fact remains that he is in unit
Versal request. He gambolS about among the
professional beauties like a favOrite lao-dor
Brave men. may scorn him, but fair women
Smile. PoStlethWatte dimes one day With the
duke and with Sir GorgiuS Midas the next,
Fashionable hosts somehow or other find
may De a n1lcompoOp and a puppy, but he
has contriyed to make himself the vogue. And
IL you light upon POstlethwaite alone, and
take him OIL his guard, and discuss with him
any subject when Is not cognate to art, you
may Or you may not be astonished to find
what shreWd, sensible, practical fellow he
is. very little experience OF him Is enough
TO make one reconsider ones verdict, Is it
the case after all that be Is the too, AMI ntnny
you may have been accustomed to think? il
is he who Is the victim OF his ahsurdities or
may it Lot rather be society? While dining
rooms ana CraWtng -TOOfn3 receive him amid
Tire applause OF women and the disgust of men
may lot PoStlethWaite De laughing In his
sleeve and secretly have his tongue thrust Ia
his cheek? And when Maudle and Postle-
thWatte meet each other in private. may ir not
are said to have been unable to restrain Wne1
they mace taeir mutual salute?