New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-03-06
THE GAME OF MAUDLE AND P0STLg-
THRAITE.
From Inc London World.


The question must have suggested itself to some
people, whether after all Maudle and Postlethwate
are quite such fools as they seem. 1t is true that
make one in love with Philistinism. But Maude
and Postlethwaite might have very rational and
practical explanation to give OF their goings,on.
have tolerably good time of It, That accomplished
artist has clearly come to the conclusion that life 70
not worth living uGlsss tit + + lived m
only to find ourselves in the fashionable
promenade at the fashionable hour, or I'm what
the artist appears to think resembles the interior Of
with dukes aud duchesses. II it Is not ms Grace o.
Plantagenet and Lady Clara We're de We're; IT s Slr
GorgiuSi Midas and Mrs. Ponsonby de Iopkyns.
The lines which cast IN this atmosphere Oh mag.
nifcence luxury and wealth have assurediy fallen
IN pleasant places. It is all very well 70 laugn as
Maude and Postlethwaite but what weli,re guiStso
outsider there who would not choose to be IN these
idiots shoes Very likely he would fain KICK tnem;
but is he not obliged to admit that they are 70 tse
can't OF the DAY most empnss !, sssros but Who
can doubt that, accepting Mr.. Du Maurlers estimate
of its social opportunities, It paysf
Let MS remember how Bruins. on memorable oc-
casion imposed on his friends and enemies. Let Us
also remember that the profoundest OF psychological
critics have never yet been able TO set
tie whether Hamlet's madness was feigned or real.
The idiocy of Postleth waite suggests the Same
troversy; and for ourselves we have very little
There Is no denying that Postlethwaites appearance
is repulsve, that his long sira ght hair rdicuicus
that his artistic pdtois Is nsuferabie TO sensible
Equally impossible Is it to deny that society
whether it may laugh or not. likes and encourages
thee extrayngaDces. Postlethwaite may be sneerec
ut and satirized; his ineptitudes may be the Joke
of smoking rooms and the walls of masculine ndig.
nation may be emptied over mis- head. But fhe fact
remains that he IS in universal request. He ganbos
about among the professional beauties ike favor
tie lapdoR. Brave men may .scorn him. but fair
women smile. Postlethwalte dimes one day With tbs
Duke and with SIR Gorgius Midas the next. Fab
lonable hosts somehow or other find themselves
asking him against their will. He may be 0 mn
compoop and puppy, but he has contriyed TO make
himself the vogue. And il you light upon Postie1
thwaite alone snd take him Of his guard and discuss
with him any subject which Is not coguate 10 art you
may or you may not DO astonished 20 find what
shire wd sensible practical fellow he IL. very lit
tie experience OF him is enough to make ono recon.
slider ones verdict Ii it the after all that be is
the fool and nnny you may have been accustomed
to Think Is IL be who Is the victim Of his absurdi
tiee or may it not rather be society While dining
rooms and drswing-rooms receive hirA, amid the
applause of women and tho disgust OF men. may not
Postethwate be laughing in his sleeve and secretly
have his tongue thrust In his cheek And When
Maudle and Postethwaite meet each other IN private
NAV il not be with that smile which the Roman
augurs are said to have been unable 10 restrain
when they made their mutual salutef