The Standard Union - Tuesday, April 9, 1895

UNFORTUNATE.
REGRET
IN WASHINGTON AT WILDE'S
DOWNFALL

The downfall of Oscar Wilde recalled to Supervising Architect Aiken the trick which the Harvard students tried to play on Wilde when he was to lecture in Boston. Mr. Aiken was a student at Harvard then, and he tells how they dressed up in knickerbockers, wore sunflowers and an aesthetic costume, going some one hundred strong to the lecture. Mr. Wilde had been informed of their plan, and instead of appearing in his fantastic costume wore a dress suit and abashed the students.

It is also recalled that Mr. Wilde, and it was fourteen years ago that he came to America, was a constant visitor to the trial of Guiteau, the assassin of Garfield, and followed the course of the trial with the most intense interest, not leaving the court room for luncheon. During the recess of the court he was besieged by autograph hunters whom he never disappointed. Wilde has no defenders here, but great regret is expressed that such a brilliant man should have fallen so low.