A Man of Culture Rare

Abstract

Oscar Wilde, his knee breeches, his business manager and his colored body servant arrived in the city late yesterday afternoon and were at once driven to the Osburn house, where rooms had been assigned them. The great leader in modern aestheticism at once retired to his apartment and did not again make his appearance until half past 7 o’clock, when he rode to the Grand Opera house, where a blushing reporter of this paper was presented to him in the dressing room. There was certainly nothing limp nor languid in the hearty English grip with which he clasped the proffered hand, and had it not been for the singularity of his attire there would have been nothing in particular to distinguish him from an ordinary English gentleman. In appearance he was the typical Bunthorne of ‘Patience.’ He was dressed in knee breeches, black silk stockings marvelously fitted, low patent leather pumps, regulation dress coat, low cut double-breasted white vest, shirt collar turned low with a voluminous white tie, and a broad expanse of shirt bosom, ornamented with a single stud, in which were set two pearls and a diamond. A fob with double seals jingled below his vest, and the only other article of jewelry visible was a large seal ring upon the third finger of his left hand. The effect was curious if not picturesque, and it was heightened by the remarkable face and head.

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (8 Feb 1882) p. 4.