MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY. FATE OF OSCAR WILDE, ONCE THE APOSTLE OF ESTHETICISM [sic]. Became an Outcast, Whom No One Would Shelter, After His Fall—Sir Arthur Sullivan's Satire.

Chicago Tribune.

The death of Oscar Wilde followed closely after that of Sir Arthur Sullivan, the composer of the music for "Patience," the most bitter satire ever penned on the esthetic [sic] craze which made the Englishman notorious. Wilde never heard of Gilbert after the rendition of his famous satire without showing some sign of the irritation it had caused him. It remained an open wound until his death.

Oscar Wilde was born in Dublin on Oct. 16, 1856. He was the oldest son of Sir William Wills Wilde, who attained fame and knighthood as a specialist. Oscar's mother was one of the earlier champions of home rule in Ireland, and under the name of "Speranza" contributed numerous caustic articles on that subject. The home of the youthful Wilde was frequented by the most famous men of Europe who visited Dublin, and before the lad was eight years of age he had heard every subject possible, almost, discussed at his father's table. Always the companion of his mother, he was thrown with grown-up people, and seldom associated with children. He never attended a public school, his early education consisting of a literary instruction entirely, that being an ideal preparatory work in the estimation of his parents.

As a boy Wilde traveled extensively in France and Germany. He was not an admirer of German literature, but read the works of Goethe and Heine closely. French writings seemed to possess a fascination for him, and much of his time was spent in their study. He went to Trinity College in Dublin one year, winning a gold medal and a scholarship for his excellent work in Greek.

In 1874 he was sent to Magdalen College, Oxford. Here again he distinguished himself, obtaining a scholarship and taking two firsts during his four years' study. In 1876 he was given the first in "Moderations," and in 1878 he was again at the head in "Greats." During the closing year his poem, "Ravenna," won him the Newdigate prize.

The lectures of Ruskin fired him with admiration for Italy, and he went to Florence. When he returned to resume his studies it was with a "soul steeped with splendor of a religion preached through color and glow." The South attracted him again in 1878, and he went to Greece, returning in time only to take his degree.

His studies completed, it was natural he should seek the home of his mother in London. Cadogan House, the home of Lady Wilde, was visited by the most distinguished people in London. Her son seemed satisfied to indulge in intolerable mannerisms, but the emptiness of the family exchequer, depleted through the carelessness of his father, who paid more attention to his studies than to the care of his money, drove him to seek some livelihood.

AN APOSTLE OF ESTHETICS.

"Agnostic Estheticism" attracted him, and he became its apostle. Punch caricatured him and Gilbert ridiculed him in "Patience." His religion of color and his attempt to beautify sin soon made him notorious. His creed was expressed in these brief paragraphs:

"The tendency to sin is inborn. Sin, therefore, enters ipso facto into the scheme of the universe as much as virtue. Now, there are variations of sin as well as shades of virtue. Since virtue carried to excess is nauseating and can only be praiseworthy when practiced from ethical motives, is not its antithesis, sin, also a means to certain ends? Cannot sin be studied, in other words, with a view to its utility as a servant, instead of as a master?

"Has any one ever made a study of the possibilities of sin? Has sin ever been dissected and experimented with from worthy motives? No. The physician who exposes himself to the contagion of smallpox and consumption, that he may better know and battle with those diseases, is a hero in the cause of science. Similarly the being who exposes himself to every form of temptation and yields his soul to the debaucheries of a Tiberius at Capri, or practices the exquisite wickednesses that have rendered the name of Heliogabalus synonymous with sensual slavery, will, if prompted by worthy motives, retain every vestige of his innocence."

In 1880, when Wilde began the publication of his poems, the critics lampooned him unmercifully, and the announcement of his prospective visit to America to proclaim the doctrines which had made him the cynosure of English eyes drew bitter denouncement from the Western critics, though the reviewers of the United States were more kind than their English contemporaries.

Decorated with an enormous sunflower and resplendent in colors as rich as those of the rainbow Wilde came to America in 1881. Everywhere he was received with enthusiasm. He delivered 200 lectures while here, traveling the breadth of the continent and visiting every point of interest. His love for the euphonious and the beautiful led him often to refuse engagements when he did not like the name of the town. "Griggsville" was one of the unfortunates, and he never forgave the committee for inviting him.

While in the United States Wilde was the guest of hundreds of well-known families, letters of introduction from England giving him ready access. His tour was successful financially and he took thousands of dollars back to England with him when he departed. Upon his return to England he was received almost as enthusiastically as he had been in America.

HIS BOOKS.

The next ten years of his life were spent in lectures and the publication of his books. "Vera," a play, was given to the world in 1882. "The Happy Prince" was published in 1888. Between that year and 1891, inclusive, he wrote "Dorian Gray," "The Portrait of Mr. W. H.," "Intentions," "The [sic] House of Pomegranates," "The Sphinx," "Lord Arthur Savile's Crime" and "The Duchess of Padua."

His first play to be produced was "Lady Windermere's Fan," in 1892. London gave it an enthusiastic reception, and since then it has delighted thousands of Americans, having been presented only a few weeks ago at a local theater.

"A Woman of Importance" was published in 1893, and one-act tragedy, entitled "Salome," a little later. This play was produced in Paris by Sarah Bernhardt with striking success. His subsequent works were "An Ideal Husband," "The Importance of Being In Earnest" and a book of poems, the most talked about being "Reading Gaol."

A play called "Mr. and Mrs. Daventry," said to be the most immoral ever presented in London, was given on Oct. 25, with Mrs. Patrick Campbell at the head of the cast. The playwright to whom the production was accredited was Frank Harris, but shortly after its appearance Kyrle Bellew and Mrs. James Brown Potter stated they had contracted with Oscar Wilde for a play written on the same lines. They claimed he had fulfilled his part in writing it, but had disposed of it to Harris, who had some reputation as a writer.

Wilde was married in 1884 to Miss Constance Lloyd, daughter of Horace Lloyd, a conspicuous member of the English bar. Two children were born to them—Cyril, in 1885, and Vivian the following year.

The career of Wilde reached its height in 1895. Grave offenses had followed his appearance everywhere, and his sins finally found him out. He was ostracised by society, apprehended, tried and sent to prison, the heavy gates of Reading Gaol, made more famous by his poem penned within its massive walls, opening to receive him.

He served his time patiently, but ill health aroused the sympathies of the prison officials and he was pardoned in March, 1897. No one in England had the hardihood to receive the outcast, and he crossed the channel to Paris. As long as his money held out he lodged in the Hotel Voltaire. Deserted and shunned, he soon became penniless, and the rich clothing he was wont to attire himself in gave way to glistening sleeves and tattered trousers.

He found refuge at last in the Hospital la Salpetriere. Then friends of former days came to his relief, and the hospital authorities were informed if they could save the unfortunate's life he would be taken to Scotland and cared for. After a hard fight they were unsuccessful.

Willie Wilde, a brother of Oscar, was married to Mrs. Frank Leslie in New York, but they were soon divorced.