Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-02-02
OSCAR WILDE
UBbardeHs Himself as TO America and
Americans Thinks the Lat
ter NarrOW-Minded,
Crude, IlIy-lnformed, Egotistical, leone.
elastic and Without Yeneration
And Yet We Live.

IhlIADELfhlA1 A%Oh-
don correspondent of the Times writes that
the troubadour of catholicism has returned
from American shores and to-day made his
frat appearance in streets and clubs. He il
sad and depressed. The English people,
having been instructed By their American
cousins how TO "guy" public character
such as Mr.. Wilde, have begun already, and
Hskits" are being made in the public prints
and public sarcasm is rife in every direction.
As consequence, Oscar Wilde has already
announced his intention to leave England
for the South of France to spend the sum-
mer, and Willie Wilde, his brother, proposes
TO 90 with him, as he too has been the object
of a raillery rather malicious than good
natured. Oscar did not care to talk about
his experiences in the United States, but
said, with some bitterness, that he had been
treated 30 badly by many people and part
of the newspaper press that he could not re-
frain from saying that he was much disap-
pointed. Yes, really disappointed. He was
not angry, but disappointed.
THE AMERICANS NARRow-MIEDEp.
'When first came to America I was re-
ceiyed with warmth OF welcome that be-
smoke no end of future pleasure. / was led
to be too enthusiastic and hopeful. The
better class of people were pleasant, and
found some society the equal OF our best 80
ciety here, bat not much. The average
American is narrow minded and ignorant.
He is self.sssertive. He is more opiDionated
than his English cousin, whom he resembles
in all of the bad points, and Is equal to in
none of the good. The average American
found 10 be without respect or veneration;
consequently he has no desire to acquaint
himself with the canons Of art. He is the
most splendid egotist, and frequently DEM
ba
liar the world produces. He regards the
size of his country as personal compliment
of nature to himself. Having no respect
nor venerstion, and being accustomed to ex-
aggeration, he sneers at what he does not
understand, and icoIns TO learn that which
does not Immediately return a reward"
"Mr. Wilde, you appear 10 have some
special cause OF complaint"
s'Not go. / have no cause OF complaint,
and only speak as every gentleman must who
visits the States aud spsnds, as j have done,
a considerable time there. Let me continue.
You have no idea, on the other hand, what
iutellects are to be found there, wha, wit,
elegance, taste and female beauty in the first
grade OF society. They have artists in paint
ing and sculpture; they have a number of
splendidly gifted writers; they have a good
social life, which has nothing of the repub-
lie about it, but yet a quiet American dig
nifty at once charming and BETTING. There
are picture galleries and churches which are
very fair. There is some good architecture
in the cities, but as a rule il is crude and
new. The city OF New York is cosmopolitan
in It's population, and its dwellings and pub
lie places reflect that mixture of rationale
ties in which, as rule, the elements we're
not originally the best"
THAT BUNKo MAN.
"You came away rather unexpectedly, did
you not?n
aYes--no-I was preparing TO go when an
unexpected call from England accelerated
my preparations"
aTbe cable brought word that you had met
'bunko' man and that you were his."
cab, that is a very absurd story, which has
such little Bit OF foundation tina, won't
deny it or explain IT, l may say, however,
thai I did meet sMr. Drexers son. as clever
Americans had done before me. II that in
dustricus young man has accomplished all
the knavery with which his is SO literally
credited, his wealth will soon exceed that oil
his putative father"
"Was yeur lecturiDg tour a financial sue.
cess?"
"Yes, quite so. was very successful. l
was somewhat startled by the attitude of the
newspapers toward me, and they ran amuck
with their usual sraceIesr and witless rsiii.
cism. They attrscied the pneiic attention 10
me-
papers?"
ment, written with minimum amount of
brains aud good Euglish, and put together
without regard Tor truth or decsncy."
"Perhaps the newspaper press is response
BILE for your somew what obvious ill-will against
Americans"
"Do you think it obvious? II is only in
appearance, for / admire America and
Americans just as I would apy other curios-
ity. l have nothisg bnt the kindliest feel
ings for the Americans, and the newspapers
are full of interest and mons'rousy enter
prising. If they spared themselves effort
and sought to be polished with the same
| assiduity they GEEK TO be SENSATIONAL, they
would be much improved. What / complain
of, to be particular, is the fact that they are
written by incompetent men, or rather Ger.
tain subjects are handled by incompetent
pens. The man who excsls as descriptive
writer on subjects such as ires and arrests
| in gaming houses is not the man to write in.
| telligently about statue from the hand oil a
great sculptor-at least not slways--and
! how can the man whose musical ear has the
training only OF street music write fairly OF
| we'll OF Bsrlioz's Ddmnation Of Faust? As
| for art, the ordinary newspaper writer Id
America gained his knowledge Of Il by
studying art through the glass panel OF q
print-shop, and his knowledge Of architect
| ure in enforced contemplation OF the walls
OF jails."
Here somebody said that the newspaper
| in America had credited Mr.. Wilde with
| having created sensation in the Lotus Ciut
when he made that remark before. Mr.
| Wilde said: 81 did say so before, and it i
none the less tr.Ie in that have repe&ted IL.
Then he went on: "What impresses itsel
upop the unpreiudiced observer is that tn,
| newspapers are stamped with incompetency
| They do lots CT great big things, but nothing
| is rounded in and completed. They ar
loose and flying, like silken scarf torn ant
waved by unsteady hands" 81 &
ART NOT STRONGLY ROOTED.
aWhat art did you find in American"
"Wbat you might expect in new couu
try, The art idea is not strongly rooted il
their character. The Catholic religion hs
fostered a love for Madonnas and alta
studies The vast sweeps of prairie, tn
grand mountain and landscape scenery, tn
tumbliug falls of Niagara, than which moth
ing is grander in the world, have not, as on
might have thought, impressed an artist
sentiment. The fact is that srt-love has nc
yet a permanency in America. That hs
got 10 be created. There are some mags
zines add periodicals that make very mic
Ffpiclures and print them, bu. that kind Q
picture, while requiring come skill, is nc
art. II il elementary only
"And the literature?"
There il, il seems to me, the fouudatio
for an excelledt school of literature in th
States. 1t is marked by many signs G
j promise. II is too elannish, however. Their
are half dozen or so who are active work
ers in the field OF literature who monopoliz
the seats in it's highest places. These ar
Mr.. Howells, james, Aldrich, Mrs. Burnett
Stuart Phelps, Cable and one or two otherr.
sAud do you not think they are entitled
their high position?" 3!
"Moat assuredly, for II they we're not the
] could mot hold il. There are among them
as q Iezven to their protective system Q
maiutsiniug the best places, goodly mum
Der of women who share their houors."
Are you going back to American
"Not ], indeed.n
They madeit pretty warm Tor you, di
they not?" asked friend.
81 was very comfortable. But there be
gins the music" Mr.. Wilde came forwar,
from the mantelpiece, and, taking the arm
OF his brother Willie, sauntered out OF III
lounging-room into the large hail OF Raieig
l.