Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-01-21
MR. OSCAR WILDE.

WHAT HB HAS TO sAy-gsrHErTc TaFFy FoR ru0
ANERrcANs-THEy LOVE TRg TRUE AND rHE sKAp-
TtFUL-NR WILDE on TIRE TOO TOO RURIEsouEs-
RE THINKS "THE COLONEL" vUIGsR-RE rs NOT
LOOKING AFTER THE ESTATE OF MS UNcIN
STAR reporter called upon Mr. oscar Wilde, as
the Arlington, yesterday, and was pleasantly
5reeted by the distinguished esthete. His looks
ma dress have been so minutely described that
these points can be passed. In Response 20 an in
quiry from the reporter. Mr.. Wilde said that he
FOUND great deal more interest taken In this
ountry In matters eSthetic than he expected.
There is, he said, much more true art here than
supposed; and true art, you know, is estheticlsm.
have had a great many inquiries from people who
want to learn In art, and have seen a great many
VINO haVe our IDEAS almost perfectly. I am doing
Al can TO encourage the spread OF true TASTE
What would like 10 see is a permanent standard
they do"
AMERICANS SHOULD NOT COPY
would the standard be the same for all coun.
trfesfr
"By no means. think no greater mistake can
De made than for one country 70 copy after an
other. There is an Individuality OF ar1 for every
people. The Americans should not cony the deco
ratlons OF England. Their flowers atmnsnhprs
ana all external forms or art are al fferrnf Amer
ican decoration should be entirely different
lronl ldat " England or any other country. Their,
s plenty OF the beautiful in nature IN tins country
@ ier arr $ purposes without borrowing. And where
mere Is borrowing there is lack OF Individuality
which makes the whole unsatisfactory"
What What is your particular object in visiting
II want to see the country: and then I want to
see now far the people here can love ar1 and how
lar ll,y can be led 10 love art l would like to
spttau the truth or art and aid humanity u form
lhe right Idea OF the true relations of art 10 lie
and OF life 10 art.n
NEW YORK AND PHrr.DELrHI. AUDIENCES
"Dd you nouoe any difference in the audien Gee
TO whom you have lectured?n
81 haveonly lectured in New York andsn Phila-
New ork audiences are electric and PHI idelnhia
people are thoughtful. The latter make tut very
nttle demonstration but there is an air over fhe
whole asSemblage which causes one Il Know tbas
he IS being listened 10. could see their faces lis
tening."
O. w AND Wv
There was picture OF Walt Whitman on tbe
table. The reporter asked Mr. Wilde what he
thought OF Americas rugged poet
The most delightful day have spent- he an
SWered, was In MIR. Whitmah's little bare room in
Calnden- i think Mr.. Whitman Is In every way
one OF the greatest and strongest men who have
ever lived. He l. the simplest aud strongest man
1 ever met Eccentnc? lie is not; you cannot
Eauyc great men 10y foot-rue. The people In
England, for whose opinion he would care read
him ana cad him, and wonder at him."
he OBJECTS TO 1.-THE COLONEL
"Don't You md that many people here formed
their opinionsor YOU aud your feow-w orkers upon
the basis OF Punch and the criticisms OF the news
papers9"
"A great many In fact, the majority OF them.
dont mind with a little laugh, "sPauence' or
the pictures Of Punch 50 much can iau0h AFT
them both and enjoy them. / do object however
10 Inc COLONEL III l. vulgar. IL is NeXy vulgar
uoh STE now any one can enjoy such a vulgar
picture as the play called The ColOner presents
But the fun las hot been wholly on the side OF our
car.caturistS 1 assure YOU we have pretty fully
made ridicule OF the Phlistines What is called
the esthetc is not confined 10 a srn all circle
in m England The whole artistic world OF London
Is Interested In the work OF educating art tastes"
THE EsTHETB's PROGRAM
fn al,s1f
ments Mr.. Wilde said: IL go from mere next
Tuesday TO Baltimore-where, by the way, was
not eng aged to appear Thursday night at Mr..
Forbes Lecture, nor TO go TO any reception there
lecture in Baltimore next "Wednesday intend
TO visit New Orleans. I think there is so much
oI deep Interest TO be found there in the remnants
OF Old French life VIII stay in the United States
until after spring.
fEAkNS To SEE AN AMERICAN SPRING.
vi want TO see spring in this country, and It's
howers and growth OF plants Especially do
want 10 see spring In California. 1 did intend
to remain here as long IL was interesting TO me-
but that would be an unreasonable time was
very anxious TO see Washington and meet the in-
tellectual people OF the city,"
NOT LOOKING AFTER PROPERTY
SIT is stated" said the reporter 'that you VIII
attempt to recover a large estate owned by your
uncle In louisiana"
MY uncle did, believe, own a good deal OF pro-
perry In LOUISIANA, but beyond that know Moth
ing. L AIN not going TO attempt the recovery OF
any property This was said with a laugh.
During the Interview Mr.. Wilde reclihed upon
One leg was stretched at length upon the robe
His right arm WAS thrown over the back of the
sofa. Upon his LETT hand he rested his head when
tie hand Was hot making slight gestures.