Wednesday, March 1, 1882
Dubuque Herald, March 2, 1882, 1
In contrast to the successes and larger audiences in the major cities, this lecture was attended by fewer than 200 inattentive people.
It was the first of eleven consecutive days lecturing in eleven different cities, often to smaller houses, the effect of which demoralized Wilde for a time.
He recovered his bonhomie in time to tell the press that he flattered himself on his appearance at the Opera House, because, he says:
“Any man can make a speech…before 1,000 people, but it requires nerve to deliver a lecture to empty benches”.
Dubuque is located along the Mississippi River.
Oscar Wilde had already been unimpressed by the Atlantic Ocean and Niagara Falls. It was now time for America's grand waterway to be chastised:
The Inter Ocean (Chicago), March 1, 1882, 8
Fourth and Main Streets, Dubuque, IA
Second and Main Streets, Dubuque, IA
Author | Interview | Sources | Blog | Walking Tour NYC
Oscar Wilde In America | © John Cooper, 2022