Telegram-herald., 1889-12-07
The Father Of Oscar Wilde.
SPECIAL Corresponde0ce.l

LONDON, Nov. 1S.-Lady Wilde, the
mother of the erratic poet, was born in
Dublin, where she lived most of her life
and there she was married 10 DR.. William
Wilde, a noted oculist He was as odd
aud eccentric as he was talented, and
that is 10 say 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, 10 say the very least, care
less of his toilet He absolutely would
not take time from his studies 20 keep
himself respectable, and it was the hard
est matter TO get his hair combed, as it
was slightly curly and long. Sometimes
when Lady Wilde would see him alb
sorbed in a 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 be would usually
put it on; but if Lady Wilde did not
watch him he would put it on above the
one he already wore. Sometimes, it 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.. Wildes ordinary dress consisted of
a coat which was Shiny and greasy from
top TO bottom, with bulging pockets. A
pair of trousers. baggy at the knees, and
as dirty as the dirt could hold on them,
and a hat that looked as distressed as his
clothes.
One day he was called to London for
conference with some of the most noted
oculists in the country, and they waited
impatiently for his arrival. He 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 who opened IL thought
him tramp or vagabond and ordered
him TO be off.
Here" said the doctor, 81 don't want
any nonsense. | came here for a con-
sultatiOn, and | advise you 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
reeling 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 I'll eat
| you. I'm Wilde"
By this time the master came out Of
/ his study, attracted by the noise, and he.
| too, made mistake, and asked what
this meant.
I'm Wilde, and this spalpeen wouldn't
| let me in. You sent for me TO Dublin,
and now your footman won't let me in. p"
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 bv saving that the
servant must be drunk and should be
sent away directly.
MARIE DALHOUsIE.