New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-01-23
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
THE AESTHETIC GOSPEL
PROFESSION OP FAITH AND AN UNPUBLISHED
POEM BY OSCAR WILDE.
a Inr

fhVffcoloN Of FAITH AND AN
POEM BY OSCAR WILDE.
To he Editor Of The Tribune
SIR: When in London, through the kindness
G. William Morris was introduced to our present guest
Oscar Wilde, and on calling upon him. the following
dialogue occurred, which may be OF interest TO your
readers:
MIR. Wilde. do you intend delivering moro lectures in
Nov York to explain fully your ideas and views on
estheticsn and try to school your peculiar
philosophy"
We'll that question can hardly answer as 1t depends
largely tho receptive nature OF the Americans and
their desire 10 understand our unwrtten philosophy
"Wel / hardly understand your answer Do you
mean that have no particular laws enss Of your
phnosopAyw
"Oh, no. We have positive, special, independent
metaphysical science but the mind OF the average Phs
tine BrOn is incapable OF understanding it, Consequent
y We have never published It, but transmit orally 10 the
members OF society But il thought the American
people desired would gladly give q few OF them, as
tEey have treated kindly aud to welcome all
advanced Ideas Oh religion art philosophy or aesthetic
ism
suppose you give me few condensed ideas OF your
subject so that could somewhat prepare he minds Of
TIE people, and were feel the pulse OF public scnti
ment."
"Oh shall be glad OF your kiady assistance, and will
try TO give you merely outline OF our metaphysical
science believe it our duty and mission TO the
Woflu 10 nave III sLuON the creation OF lne Htbu us
relation to color tones .hs shadows and have perfect
harmony by exquisite bcndncs, 80 That man may nave
higher and GObler appreciation OF what ID beautiful
AID tIc both in nature and art. In ne first place we
believe there actual difference between the word
OF matter and space, because matter j. tho part OF por
ton of space; that God has made Hmselt manifest to
through what call Form In other words, mat
ter space with Form; Space Is matter without tOTm
Form the manifest alton OF God 10 MS. Therefore,
Form is tGC essence Of all matter, or God. Now. eur
this subject are the nearer approach the
beautiful ana graceful i'll the form OF things, the more
God Ike il and consequently, the perfect pleas
lc II gives. men Tie creative hand OF man has punt
moulded beauti-u thing the portion OF his ullHd
which created II becomes It's soul but when II Is lie
s;rOVet, form beauty has gone, Just when
dies his form has left so In poetry; the more
bring iutcrytw To- = close, will give you ono
my UuIb. isbed poems which partly illustrates my
the longing OF the soul for the beautiful and
uudttaiuabie:
"Our soui Is like a Kite,
That scars with ease To- heavenly height,
He'll by d thread invisible.
on earth through nature sec,
Bat only feel when reaching toward iuhaty
The Ink tlat binds this life.
20 fran the thread OF life,
Our souls could not endure the strlfc
Without this La. with heavenly heights.
We droop bli GIFTED things
II clouds but touch cur cart MY wlnss
Too human yet for heaven
or soul longs for new lie,
Breals he frail thread by constant strife.
Nor ceascs in uueudIns light"
Yours truly. W T. MERCEE.
Ecl,- York. Jan TO- 1897