Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-08
AxusEMEaTs,
Ari Exhihillon.

First Baptist Church open an art K
hibition, at eight o'clock this evening,
in the Sunday. school room of the
church. From a glance at the pro-
gramme, it is plain. that members Of
this society are artists in the fullest
sense of the word. Seventy-6ve curl
ositieS and scenes are mentioned, and
the collection will doubtless include
many others not enumerated. The
Baptist Church will be a good place
to visit this evening. Music, both
vocal and instrumental, will also en-
liven the occasion. Admission to the
room, free to the art exhibition, ten
cents.
Oscar Wilde.
Our aesthetic loving people are
making active preparations to see
Oscar Wilde, as well as to listen to his
exposition Of the peculiar views which
have distinguished him from everyday
folk in England. He will exhibit his
short breeches and silk stockings to a
Memphis audience next Monday night.
A sketch of the poet recently prepared
is as follows:
Mr.. Oscar Wilde, who has, within
the last few years, acquired consider
able celebrity as q prominent figure in
the so-called ssthetic movement in
England, was born in Dublin on Oct.
10th, 1865. He is, therefore, twenty
six years old. His father was Sir
William Wilde, OF Merton Square,
Dublin. Sir William was a remarkable
man. He was a celebrated physician,
and widely known through England
and on the Continent. But, outside
of this, he was President Of the Irish
Academy, an enthusiastic arch@olo-
gist, indefatigable in antiquarian re-
search, and a frequent and brilliant
contributor to the press on his favor
lite subjects. In these pursuits the
boy. Oscar, was his constant and sym.
pathetic companion.
Lady Wilde, the poets mother, was
fully as remarkable as his father. She
was a woman of splendid beauty and
conspicuous talent. Under the pseu-
donyme of "Speranza," she published
several volumes Of poems, which
demonstrated an undoubted poetic
gift, and achieved an honorable place
in English literature. Under the in
huence of this father, filled with a
passionate love and reverence for the
past; under the influence Of this
mother, enthusiastic over a future for
the world which others painted for
her, and which she painted for herself
in all kinds Of marvellous colors;
among a crowd Of choice spirits. who
sympathized with either or both; in
the midst of such surroundings young
Wilde passed the earlier part Of his
life and acquired his early education.
This education, through association
and attrition, was followed by a year
at the Portora Royal. School, Ennis
killen-the Elton of Ireland. From
here he went, in 1873 to Trinity Col
lege, Dublin; and, at the conclusion
of a short term, secured the gold
medal for Greek, and a scholarship.
At the age of nineteen he entered
Magdalen College, Oxford, and finally
graduated therefrom with considerable
honor and brilliancy, in 1878.
In March of that year he had won
the Newdigate prize for English verse.
His subject wal "Ravenna."
Since Mr. Wilde's departure from
the University, which occurred in
1873, he has lived in London, and has
devoted himself to literature and poe
try. He has published a series Of
sOnnets aud a great many translations
from Greek tragedies. The most re.
markable Of his later poems was pub
lished in Mr.. Edmund Yates month.
ly, Time" ard is called The New
Helen" 1t is an exposition of the
worship and elknlncance OF Lncarnate
Beauty" Among his prose writings
particularly worthy of mention, are an
article on Keats and a criticism on
1.-THE G~rosvenor Gallery of 1877"
This last appeared in the Dublin Uni
versity Magazine.
Sacred Concert Tonight.
Al st. Peters Catholic church to
night a sacred concert is announced
under the management of Professor
Winkler. The programme appears
elsewhere, and contains many mum
bers, which will be recognized as
gems from the best and most renowned
musical composers. The concert will
be an interesting musical event well
worth attending, as numerous leading
and favorite amateurs are to appear
and participate.