The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-12-01
lining on il. with red marking cotton, a
pattern OF crossed brooms.
ANNIE ISABEL WILLIS.
Tho Father Of Oscar Wilde.

Ituec1l tnrft<pDuusucc.I
LONDON, Nov. iS.-Lady Wilde, the
mother OF the erratic poet, was born in
Dublin, where she lived most Of her life.
and there she was married to DIR. William
Wilde. n noted oculist. He was as odd
and eccentric rs he was talented, and
that il to saya good deal both ways.
His studies and researches resulted in his
making some such important discoveries
that he was knighted in consequence,
and from plain Mrs. his wife was hence
forth Lady Wilde.
Sir William Wilde was very absent
minded, and, to say the very least, care
less OF his toilet. lie absolutely would
not take time from his studies to keep
himself respectable. and 1t was the hard
est matter 10 get his hair combed, az II
was slightly curly and long. Sometimes
when Lady Wilde would see him abb
sorbed in book she would pounce upon
him with brush and comb and polish
him up bit, but before an hour he
would look fully as unkempt and neg
lected as before.
A clean shirt was laid out for him
every other day, and he would usually
put it on; but if Lady Wilde did not
watch him Inc would put it on above the
one he already wore. Sometimes, 1t Is
said upon good authority, he would
be found to have on six shirts, one over
the other. Often he had odd shoes on,
and nothing could compel him to wear
gloves. Friends had to keep the strictest
watch over him the day he was knight
ed to keep him from, doing something or
other which would have perhaps caused
him to be sent away from the presence
of the queen in disgrace, instead of a
nobleman.
DR.. Wilde's ordinary dress consisted OF
a coat which was Shiny and greasy from
top to bottom, with bullying pockets. A
pair of trousers. baggy at the knees, and
as dirty as the dirt could hold on them,
and hat that looked as distressed as his
clothes.
One day he was called to London for
conference with some of the most noted
oculists i'm the country, and they waited
impatiently for ms arrival. lie reached
the house with one shoe and one boot
on, and with his old coat and pants,
shocking bad hat and unkempt hair,
looked little like any of the London and
Edinburg doctors who had reached there
before him. He knocked on the door
and the servant Vho opened it thought
him tramp or yagabond and ordered
him to be of.
Here" said the doctor, 81 don't want
any nonsense. | came here for con-
suitaton, and l advise yca to open the
door"
The man half hesitated, and Sir Will
liam put his brawny shoulder to the
partly opened door and sent the lackey
Keeling back, and then the doctor walked
in. The poor servant called for help,
thinking that the plate was in danger,
when the doctor took him by the collar
and said;
"Here, you spalpeen. Lead me to your
masters room, or by the powers Ill eat
you. I'm Wilde"
BY this time the master came out OF
his study, attracted by the noise, and he,
too, made a mistake, and asked what
this meant.
I'm Wilde, and this spalpeen wouldn't
let me in. You sent for me 10 Dublin,
and now your footman won't let me In.
BY this time the other saw his mistake,
as he had already heard something OF
the doctors untidy habits, and he hast
ened TO apologize by saying that the
servant must be drunk and should be
sen. away directly.
MARIE DALHOUSIE.