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.

Taranaki Herald - Saturday, April 6, 1895

London, April 5.—In the cross-examination, Oscar Wilde admitted that he was acquainted with men named Taylor, Parker, and Atkins. Taylor had introduced him to five young men on separate occasions, to whom witness had given money, but he was not aware if any of them were gentlemen's servants. He said he derived pleasure from being in the company of bright happy people. Witness had frequently been in Taylor's room, and was aware that both Taylor and Parker had once been arrested, but continued their friendships. Once he took Atkins and a youth named Price to Paris, and introduced them to another youth named Ernest Scarpe, who became acquainted with Lord Douglas. When making a voyage to Australia, Oscar Wilde said he had made presents to Scarpe and Mabor because he liked them.

A letter was read in court which proved that the Marquis of Queensberry was endeavoring to stop his son visiting Wilde. The son wired back to his father that Wilde was a funny little man. The Marquis subsequently called at Wilde's house, where a furious scene took place. The latter denied the charges levelled against him, and showed the Marquis the door. Witness wrote to the Marquis complaining that his wife encouraged his son's visit to Wilde's. The friendship with Lady Queensberry and sons remained unbroken. Certain letters from the youths already named showed that the writers were endeavouring to get some employment.

Mr Oscar Wilde explained the effusive language of the letters addressed to Lord Douglas as the natural expression of an artist attracted by a beautiful personality. The Marquis of Queensberry visited his residence and threatened Wilde, to which the latter responded with—"You are the most infamous brute in London!"

Mr Oscar Wilde admitted close intimacy with a number of young men, but denied anything improper in it. He paid no regard to social inferiority if his friends were amusing. Lord Douglas letters showed that he threatened to shoot his father if he attempted to thrash him.

The Marquis' letter referred to an eminent statesman, but the reference was political. The case for the prosecution is closed.

Mr Carson, in opening the defence, declared that plaintiff's proteges were among the most immoral persons in London. Wilde's intimacies were absolutely irreconcilable with his claims as an exponent of culture. His literature alone justified the charges against him. In conclusion, he claimed that defendant's witnesses, amongst whom was Wood, the chief blackmailer, would prove the case to the hilt.

The libel case against the Marquis of Queensberry was finished to-day, a verdict of not guilty being returned. The jury considered that the charges made by the Marquis of Queensberry of public benefit.

Oscar Wilde's counsel withdrew from the case, and Wilde himself left the Court while his counsel was explaining that the plaintiff's literature and letters justified the plea of defence, that Wilde posed as an immoral person. He explained that the reason he withdrew from the case was so as to avoid the appalling evidence which would be advanced.

The verdict was received with loud cheers.

It is expected that Wilde will be arrested.

No warrant has yet been applied for, but the counsel for the Marquis of Queensberry has sent to the Public Prosecutor a statement of witnesses and notes on the evidence in order to prevent a miscarriage of justice.

LATEST.—Oscar Wilde has been arrested.

Highlighted DifferencesNot significantly similar