Sydney Evening News - Saturday, April 6, 1895

London, April 4. -- The trial of the Marquis of Queensberry for libelling Oscar Wilde was continued at the Old Bailey to-day.

Evidence was given that the Marquis wrote to Lord Alfred Douglas that if the worst were true he would be justified in shooting Wilde. He (the Marquis) believed Lord Alfred was crazy, and suggested he should leave the country.

Prosecutor, re-called, admitted close intimacy with young men who had been introduced to him by Taylor. He had entertained them at dinner at fashionable cafes. Several had spent the night as his guests at his hotels, but nothing improper occurred. He was regardless of the social inferiority of his guests if they were amusing.

Letters written by Lord Alfred Douglas were read, in which the latter threatened to shoot his father if he thrashed him.

Some letters of the Marquis of Queensberry read referred to eminent statesmen, but the references to them were only political.

The case for the prosecution having closed,

Mr. E. H. Carson, Q.C., M.P., in opening the defence, declared that Wilde's protegÈ's were among the most immoral men in London. He commented strongly on the fact that the prosecutor had not called Taylor as a witness. Wilde's intimacies were absolutely irreconcilable with his claim as an exponent of culture, and his literature alone justified the action of the Marquis. In conclusion, Mr. Carson said among other witnesses he would call Wood, the chief black-mailer, and would prove his case up to the hilt.

London, April 5. --During the address of Mr. Carson and while he was explaining that the prosecutor's literature and letters justified the plea that Wilde posed as an immoral person, counsel for the prosecution withdrew. Wilde then withdrew the charge in order to avoid the appalling evidence that he feared would be brought against him by the witnesses for the defence, and hurriedly left the court.

The jury then, at the direction of the judge, returned a verdict of "Not guilty." The jury added that the Marquis of Queensberry was justified in his action, that it was for the public benefit, and that the evidence showed that Oscar Wilde had habitually associated with the lowest and most notorious immoral men, chiefly servants.

The verdict was received by the crowded court with loud cheers.

No warrant against Oscar Wilde was applied for, but Mr. Russell, solicitor for the Marquis of Queensberry, sent to the Public Prosecutor a statement of the notes of the evidence given by witnesses during the case, with the object of preventing a miscarriage of justice. It is expected that Wilde will be arrested.

The Sydney Morning Herald - Saturday, April 6, 1895

LONDON, APRIL 4.

The trial of the Marquis of Queensberry, on a charge of having criminally libelled Oscar Wilde, the dramatist and poet, was continued to-day.

In cross-examination the prosecutor admitted that he was acquainted with three men named Taylor, Parker, and Atkins. Taylor introduced five young men to him on separate occasions, and Wilde had given them money. He was not aware that any of them were gentlemen's servants. He said that 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 this fact, continued his friendship with them. He once took Atkins to Paris. Taylor introduced to him a youth named Scarp, who afterwards became acquainted with Lord Alfred Douglas, while on the voyage to Australia. He (Wilde) had made presents to Scarp and another young man named Mabor, because he liked them.

Certain letters were read in court from some of the youths already named, showing that the writers were poverty stricken, and implored assistance from Wilde in obtaining employment.

Other letters were read indicating that the Marquis of Queensberry had endeavoured to stop his son from visiting Wilde. On one occasion Lord Alfred Douglas telegraphed to his father that "he was a funny little man."

Further evidence was given, showing that the Marquis of Queensberry afterwards called at Wilde's house, and a furious scene ensued. Wilde denied the charge made against him by the Marquis, and showed him the door.

The Marquis also wrote, complaining that his wife encouraged his son in his friendship for Wilde. The friendship between Lady Queensberry and her sons remained unbroken.

LATER.

Oscar Wilde admitted close intimacy with young men who had been introduced to him by Taylor. He had entertained them at dinner at fashionable cafés. Several had spent the night as his guests at his hotels, but nothing improper occurred. He was regardless of the social inferiority of his guests if they were amusing.

Letters written by Lord Alfred Douglas were read in which he threatened to shoot his father if he attempted to thrash him. Some letters of the Marquis of Queensberry were read, containing statements referring to eminent statesmen, but the references to them wore only of a political nature.

The case for the prosecution having closed,

Mr. E.H. Carson, Q.C., M.P., in opening the case for the defence, declared that Wilde's protégés were among the most immoral men in London. He commented strongly on the fact that the prosecutor had not called Taylor as a witness. Wilde's intimacies were absolutely irreconcilable with his claim as an exponent of culture, and his literature alone justified the action of the Marquis. Mr. Carson said that among other witnesses he would call Wood, the chief blackmailer, and would prove his case up to the hilt.

APRIL 5.

Counsel for the prosecutor has withdrawn from the case.

The jury returned a verdict of not guilty, and considered that the charges made by the Marquis of Queensberry were for the public benefit.

It is expected that Oscar Wilde will be arrested.

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