Compare Documents

London, April 3.-- At the trial at the Old Bailey to-day of the Marquis of Queensberry, on a charge of criminally libelling Oscar Wilde, a number of letters from the prosecutor to Lord Alfred Douglas were read. They were of a most effusive character. Asked as to one letter in which the words "you are the divine thing I want" occurred, prosecutor explained that it was "the natural expression of an artist to a beautiful personality."

Evidence was given that the Marquis of Queensberry visited the residence of Oscar Wilde, and threatened him, and that Wilde responded "you are the most infamous brute in London."

Prosecutor was severely cross-examined with a view to showing that his novel, "Dorian Gray," a story of modern life, which appeared in "Lippincott's Magazine," his articles in other magazines, and the 'Chameleon,' with which he is connected, inspired to criminal practices. Wilde insisted that the articles were merely the expression of an artistic faculty. The letters to Lord Alfred Douglas were "prose poems," "extraordinary perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation." He admitted that he gave one of the alleged blackmailers £21 and afterwards entertained him at luncheon in a private room. Wilde also admitted being on terms of intimacy with two lads not his social equals, and that he gave them considerable sums of money and expensive presents. He did this because he "liked them."

Prosecutor's epigrams, paradoxes, and extravagance caused much amusement in court.

The case had not concluded when the court adjourned.

The Marquis was admitted to bail.

April 4. -- Prosecutor admitted that he was acquainted with three men named Taylor, Parker, and Atkins. Taylor, on separate occasions, introduced five young men to him, and he had given them money. He was not aware that any of them were gentlemen's servants. He took pleasure in being in the company of bright and happy people. He had visited Taylor's rooms frequently. He was aware that Taylor and Parker had once been arrested, but he had, notwithstanding, continued his friendship with them. He once took Atkins to Paris. Taylor introduced to him a youth named Ernest Scarp, who afterwards became acquainted with Lord Alfred Douglas while on the voyage to Australia. He, prosecutor, had made presents to Scarp and another young man named Mavor because he liked them.

Certain letters were then read from youths already mentioned which showed that the writers were poverty-stricken. Some implored assistance in obtaining employment.

Other letters read showed that theMarquis of Queensberry endeavored to stop his son from visiting Wilde.

On one occasion Lord Alfred Douglas wired to his father that "he was a funny little man."

Further evidence showed that the Marquis afterwards called at Wilde's house, and a furious scene ensued. Wilde denied the Marquis's charges, and showed him the door. The Marquis also wrote complaining that his wife encouraged the visits of his son to Wilde. The friendship of prosecutor with Lady Queensberry and her sons remained unbroken.

[The Marquis of Queensberry has been twice married. His first wife, to whom he was married in 1866, was Sybil, second daughter of Mr. Alfred Montgomery (brother of the Right Hon. Sir Henry C. Montgomery, Bart.), and granddaughter of Lord Leconfield. By this lady, who obtained a divorce in 1887, he has issue surviving two sons and one daughter. The eldest son, Viscount Drumlanrig, was accidentally shot a short time since. He married secondly, in 1893, Ethel, daughter of Mr. Edward Charles Weldon, of Eastbourne. This marriage, like the first, did not prove a very happy one, and the lady obtained a decree of nullity early last year.]

The trial of the Marquis of Queensberry on a charge of criminally libelling Mr. Oscar Wilde was commenced to-day, and created a great sensation, the court being thronged by an immense crowd of people.

Mr. Oscar Wilde declared that he had paid heavy blackmail to recover some "gushing" letters he had written to Lord Alfred Douglas, the son of the Marquis, and which letters had been found in Lord Alfred's old clothes when they were given away. The defence that the Marquis was justified in leaving the alleged libellous card with the hall porter at Mr. Wilde's club with a view to bringing matters to a head, and, as he stated, saving his son, was based on the revelations said to be contained in these letters.

Mr. Wilde, after giving his evidence, was subjected to a stringent cross-examination with a view to showing that his book, "The Picture of Dorian Gray," and certain articles published in the magazine "Chameleon," with which he was connected, were inspired by criminal practices. Mr. Wilde, however, insisted that they were merely an expression of the artistic faculty; and, further, that his letters to Lord Alfred Douglas were prose poems - of an extraordinary character, perhaps, but not justifying any immoral interpretation. He admitted that he gave one of the alleged blackmailers £21, and entertained him at lunch afterwards in a private room. He also admitted that he had been on terms of intimacy with two lads who were not his social equals, and he gave them considerable sums of money and expensive presents because he liked them.

Mr. Wilde's epigrams, paradoxes, and general extravagance of demeanour during the progress of the case caused much amusement in court.

The case was eventually adjourned, the Marquis of Queensberry being admitted to bail.