The Indianapolis leader., 1882-01-28

The lion in New York society at this pre-
writing is Oscar Wilde. young Irishmau,
landed from the Arizona on the I'd of Janu:
professedly disappointed that nothing utter H.
the way OF a storm had occurred during the voy
age. There seems to be nothing more remarka
bic about Oscar Wilde than an intense peculiari-
ty which his admirers call genius, practical
minded folks humbug, with financial gain In
view, and remaining class, consummate weak
ness and folly. Ii is not for us TO decide whether
either OF these views is the correct one to
take. We think that possibly Mr.. Wildes singu-
larity is partly due TO nature partly to affecta-
tion and largely to profit by that weakness ia
human nature which causes people to run
after any new aud curious thing. IN this in.
stance. the object OF curiosity. confined pretty
much 10 people of society proclivites, is
young man. fairly good looking, of gentle blood
suave and persuasive talk. OF the greatest ims
portance to that person himself is the fact, that
the attention being given him, which is very con-
siderably the product OF astute business methods
on the part of the gent eman who acts as his man
ager In the lecturiig tour which he has begun III
this country. promises 10 net him grea. deal OF
money. Professional seStheticism is now AT pre-
MUM in the American market. Both English and
American caricature have been and are helpful
20 this substantial result that of Gilbert Sulli-
vans Patience most particularly. Between the
caricature and the real aesthetic there do appear to
be many strong points of resemblance, for Oscar
Wildes appearance. ,alk and manners are suffici
emily distinct from that of other men to give him
an individuality which perhaps the most of
people laugh at but many admire. and ALL directly
or indirectly, assist TO make profitable to the pe-
son most concerned.
Who is Oscar Wide, the darling of the Fifth
Avenue? He is the son of Sir William Wilde,
who was an eminent oculist, Surgeon 0culist 10.
Queen Victoria, founder and Chief of staff OF St
Marks Optbalmic and Aural Hospital Dublin,
and an eminent archseol gist and author, twice
distinguished by his election as President OF the
Royal Irish Academy. His mother, Lady Wilde,
was poetess and novelist, known to fame as
"SperanZa." Born in an enviable social status,
Oscar enjoyed the educational advantages of his
position. but neither at school nor college mani
Tested great ability. Within the last two or three
years, however he has been the acknow1edrvf-
leader OF that class OF persons in London society
who profess to find the secret of life in beauty
aud who industriously spend their time. or fancy
they do, In the enjoyment of the beautiful where
less gifted mortals fail to find It, A few months
ago he published a volume OF poetry. not desti-
tute of good verses, but condemned for its flesh
lness by the severer critics. As said befoI e.
Mr. Wilde landed in New York on the % OF
January. He began his campaign as lecturer al
Chickering Hall, In the Empire City. oil the 9th
of the same month, his subject being: THE
English Renaissance" He was dressed In full
dress coat, white vest black knee breeches black
silk stockings and low shoes with buckles but he
did not carry either flower or lily in his hand.