The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-02
sc,rNcr ANn rrnnnrss


In civilization tho world an not stand
sti'l in 1895. 1t has moved. though
whether backward or forward has been
subject of serious d scussion.
1hc latter view has been taken by
Max Nordau, who, III his book on DE
generation" has sought to prove that
the whole tendency Of present day III
eraturc, art and morality is downward
This book was written before the dis
grace of Oscar Wilde, at whose synical
abnormal unwhoicsome school it was
,eally aimed. There is nothing more
remarkable in the history of the past
twelve months than the fall of the
"Suntiower Esthete" and the consequent
revulsion of feeling which has swept
away his whole system of philosophy
Ordinarily the Individual qualities of II
man ought not to influence ones de-
cision whether his artistic ideas are
good or bad, hut the fact that his
school has fallen with h.p proves at
least the remarkable personality of the
man. Oscar Wide.
If any proof be needed that the Oscar
Willie cult depended upon his own indi-
viduality ii may he found In the snuiling
out of his leading d sciple. Previous to
the Imprisonment Of the master the press
of two continents was full of the name
OF one Aubrey Beardsley and his artistic
exploits. Being n drnughtsman of more
than ordinary clcverness. the Young man
became eNnert al peculiar style of pic
torul work which was uneNceled for
the purpose for which 1t was originally
intendrd-postrr advertising. 1t was not
beautiful, but bold. unnatural. start
linz jrst the qualities to arrest the eye
on TIE street. Rut Oscar Wilde cham
,,;InaI ba Youths yfnrl. nd al 70
mike the world hrlieve it was high art!
Since the day Wilde was Jailed. who
has evcr heard mentioned the name of
Bcnrdsley?
TIVE lighter literature Of the time rc-
YEAS tendency to gradually broaden
he sphere of woman. The comic papcrs
have created new woman bloom
eyed, masculine monstrosty which. han
plv. does not abound in real life. She
mnv. nerhans exist iust MS the bearded
l"dv mny hc fnrnd--whern she Is on ca
lihit'on; hut nine ont of ten ordinary
citizens have never seen sreci'nen OF
Dor. sin the fact TINT This hidoous
some sort Of rhnngr is GRADUALLY working
in the lives of womankind.
In the religious world the longing for
a reunion of Christian scots has been
marked, though nothing very substantial
in that direction was accomplished in
1895. The pope wrote an encyclical let
ter on the subject, but the refusal of
Protestant denominations to accept his
pers NAL authority has been a stumbling
block. The Congregational convention
ADOPTED resolution proposing a ba sis
for union. aud in New York a League
of Christian Unity was formed to pro-
vide for harmonious work in foreign
missions. The organization of the
Worlds Christian Endeavor union was
ano her move in the same direction. but
opposed to 1t Is tendency among sew
eral denominations to adhere 10 their
own young peoples societies. This has
taken form in one new organization, the
Luther League of America
A note Of discord is the con-
tinuance of the American Protect
i've association agitation, which, by striv-
ing 10 inject religion into politics.
tends to widen the gap between Catholics
and Pedestrians.
Other religious events of the year have
been the papal encycllcals on secret So
81 ties and religious congresses: the ele-
walton of Mgr. Satolli to u coriinalate.
the secession Of the American branch
of the Theosophical society: the anal
gamat.on of two national bodies Of free
thinkers and the resolution for semi
nary control passed by the Presbyterian
general assembly.
Coming down tn material science, we