Wanganui Chronicle - Monday, June 10, 1895

BROADRIM'S NEW YORK LETTER.
(Special to Chronicle)

The shocking result of the Marquis of Queensbury libel suit in London has been more than a nine days' wonder, and has been the talk of the town. It is fifteen years ago since Oscar Wilde made his first appearance in New York, posing as the prophet of a new aestheticism which was going to revolutionize the intellectual world. Being a well shaped, good-looking fellow, who spoke as one authorised and inspired on the new cult, it was not long till among the brainless idiot, male and female, that form the fringe of society, he found a considerable following. He appeared on the lecture platform here in knee breeches, sporting an immense sunflower on the lapel of his coat, and announced that hereafter the sunflower should be regarded as the symbol of the cult of which he was the royal representative. The fever spread, and there might be seen on our promenades and in our parks, brainless girls and stupid fops sporting sunflowers as big as a cabbage, and putting on those lackadasical airs which filled plain going people with wonder and contempt. It was a this time that Mrs Frank Leslie met him, and the acquaintance ripened into friendship which led to the acquaintance with the Wilde family in London. While there she formed the acquaintance of Oscar's brother, William whom she afterwards married, and from whom she was speedily divorced. Mrs Leslie, who probably knew better than any woman in America, would refuse to believe in Wilde's guilt if it were not for his own admissions. The majority of decent people had a very poor opinion of Mr Wilde while he was here, and that opinion is now confirmed.