Compare Documents

The trial of the Marquis of Queensberry on the charge of having criminally libelled Mr. Oscar Wilde, the well-known author and dramatist, was resumed to-day. Lord Queensberry was committed for trial on March 9. The alleged libel consisted of some works written by the accused on a card which was left, with the hall porter at Sir. Wilde's club. The defence was that this action was taken by the Marquis in order to save his son, Lord Alfred Bruce Douglas, who is 24 years of age, front the immoral influence of Mr. Wilde.

In consequence of the social position of the parties the case continues to excite extraordinary interest, and the court was again densely crowded.

Mr. Wilde, in cross-examination, stated that he was acquainted with three men named Taylor, Parker, and Atkins. Taylor introduced him to five young men on separate occasions, and he (witness) gave money to all of them. He was not aware that any of them were gentlemen's servants. His reason for making their acquaintance was that it was a pleasure to him to be in the company of bright, happy people. He had frequently visited Taylor's room. He was aware that both Taylor and Parker had once been arrested, but his friendship for them was not affected by that knowledge. Witness further admitted that he once took Atkins to Paris. Taylor introduced him to a youth named Ernest Scarp, who became acquainted with Lord Alfred Douglas during a voyage to Australia. Witness made presents to Scarp, and also to another youth named Mabor, because he liked them.

Certain letters from the youths already named to Mr. Oscar Wilde were read, which showed that the writers were poverty-stricken. Some of them implored assistance and employment.

Letters were also read showing the attempts that were made by the Marquis of Queensberry to prevent his son from visiting Mr. Oscar Wilde. The son, Lord Alfred Douglas, telegraphed to his father in a very flippant way, alluding to him as a " funny little man." Lord Queensberry called at Mr. Oscar Wilde's house, where a furious scene was enacted. Accusations similar to those upon which the charge is based were made by the Marquis of Queensberry, and indignantly denied by Mr. Wilde, who concluded the interview by showing his visitor the door. Lord Queensberry wrote complaining of the fact that Lady Queensberry was encouraging their son in his friendship with Mr. Oscar Wilde, and that the friendship between the latter and Lady Queensberry and her sons continued unbroken.

(The above appeared in yesterday's Second Edition.)

LONDON, APRIL 4, 9.55 P.M.

In the course of cross-examination Mr. Oscar Wilde admitted that there was a close intimacy between him and the young men who were introduced to him by Taylor. He entertained them at dinners at fashionable cafés, and several of them spent the night as his guests at his hotels, but he declared that nothing improper ever took place between them. Witness said that he was regardless of the social inferiority of his companions if they were amusing.

Letters by Lord Alfred Douglas were read, in which the writer threatened to shoot his father, the Marquis of Queensberry, if he attempted to thrash him. Letters by Lord Queensberry were also read, in which eminent statesmen were referred to, but the references were only of a political character.

The case for the prosecutor, Mr. Oscar Wilde, then closed, and Mr. E. H. Carson, Q.C., opened the case for the defense. He asserted that Mr. Wilde’s protégés were among the most immoral persons in London. He strongly commented on the fact that Taylor was not called to give evidence, and declared that the intimacies formed by Mr. Wilde with the persons who had been mentioned were absolutely irreconcilable with his claims to be an exponent of culture. Mr. Carson expressed his opinion that the character of Mr. Oscar Wilde's literary works was alone sufficient to justify the action taken by Lord Queensberry. Witnesses, however, including Wood, the chief person who had levied blackmail on Mr. Wilde, would be called, and they would prove the case against him up to the hilt.

WITHDRAWAL OF MR. WILDE'S

COUNSEL.

VERDICT OF THE JURY.

LONDON, APRIL 5, 11.30 A.M.

The trial of the Marquis of Queensberry on the charge of criminally libelling Mr. Oscar Wilde was resumed this morning, and came to a speedy termination.

Mr. Wilde's counsel withdrew from the case, and the jury returned a verdict of not guilty, expressing an opinion that Lord Queensberry's charges against Mr. Oscar Wilde were made for the public benefit.

It is expected that Mr. Oscar Wilde will be arrested on a criminal charge.

STATEMENT BY MR. WILDE'S

COUNSEL.

HIS WITHDRAWAL CHEERED.

OSCAR WILDE LEAVES THE

COURT.

LONDON, APRIL 5, 1.10 P.M.

The counsel for Mr. Oscar Wilde, in announcing his withdrawal from the case, explained that the literary works and letters of his client justified Lord Queensberry's plea, and expressed an opinion that Wilde had posed as an immoral person. He stated that he therefore withdrew from the case, in order to avoid the production of the appalling evidence against his client that he saw would be forthcoming if the case were continued.

This announcement was greeted by loud cheers from those present in the court, and while his counsel was making the statement Mr. Oscar Wilde hurriedly left the court.

No warrant for the arrest of Wilde has yet been applied for, but Mr. Russell, Lord Queensberry's solicitor, has, in order to prevent any miscarriage of justice, sent to the Public Prosecutor a statement on the subject, and notes of the evidence that would have been given by the witnesses to be called on his client's behalf.

[Mr. Oscar Wilde is 39 years old, having been born in Dublin in 1856, his parents being Sir William Wilde, a distinguished surgeon and antiquarian, and Lady Wilde, a well-known poetess and writer. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and at Oxford, where he gained the Newdigate prize for poetry in 1878. In 1880 he came before the public with a volume of poems which attracted some attention. In 1881 he visited America, where he lectured on art. Mr. Wilde's name has always been prominently associated with the "æsthetic" movement, and he has been supposed to be the prototype of Bunthorne in Gilbert and Sullivan's opera "Patience." He has contributed extensively to the magazines, and his novelette, The Picture of Dorian Gray, appeared in Lippincott's Magazine in July, 1890, and was afterwards republished in book form. Latterly Mr. Wilde has turned his attention to the drama. "The Duchess of Padua," a five-act tragedy, was produced at New York in January, 1891. The comedy "Lady Windermere's Fan" was performed at the St. James's Theatre, London, in February, 1892, and, it will be remembered, was produced here last year at the Princess's Theatre by the Brough and Boucicault Company. In 1893 he wrote "Salome" for Madame Sarah Bernhardt, the performance of which in London was prohibited by the Lord Chamberlain, as it dealt with scenes and characters from the New Testament. He therefore published it in French in Paris. "A Woman of No Importance," a comedy, was given at the Haymarket Theatre in April, 1893, and his latest drama, "The Importance of Being Earnest," is now being played at the St. James's Theatre, London, by Mr. George Alexander's company. In 1884 Mr. Wilde married Constance, daughter of Mr. Horace Lloyd, Q.C., and has two sons, Cyril, born in l885, and Vivian, in 1886.]

LONDON, 3rd April.

The trial of the Marquis of Queensberry, on a charge of having criminally libelled Oscar Wilde, the dramatist and poet, was commenced to-day. An immense crowd assembled in the court and its vicinity. The defendant pleaded justification, and that the words of the alleged libel were written for the public good.

Evidence was given to the effort that Oscar Wilde paid heavy blackmail for his gushing letters to Lord Alfred Douglas, son of the Marquis of Queensberry, and that these letters were found in some of his old clothes when they were given away.

The defence is based on revelations continued in these letters.

The prosecutor was stringently cross-examined with the view of showing that his novel, "Dorian Grey," a story of an artist and his model, which appeared in Lippincott's Magazine, his articles in other magazines, and the Chameleon, with which he is connected, inspired to criminal practices. Oscar 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 Inncheon in a private room. Wilde also admitted having been on terms of intimacy with two lads not his social equals, and that he gave them considerable sums of money and expensive parents. He did this because he "liked them."

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

The case was not concluded when the Court adjourned.

The Marquis of Queensberry was admitted to bail.

LONDON, 4th April.

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 Soarp, who afterwards became acquainted with Lord Alfred Douglas, while on the voyage to Australia. He (Wilde) had made presents to Soarp 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.

Oscar Wilde 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 hotel, 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 were 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.

5th April.

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.

LONDON, 5th April.

Oscar Wilde hurriedly left the court while counsel for the Marquis of Queensberry was explaining that the prosecutor's literature and letters justified the plea that Wilde posed as an immoral person. Wilde withdrew in order to avoid to avoid the appalling evidence that he feared would be brought against him by the witnesses for the defence.

The verdict of not guilty was received in 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 witnesses and notes of the evidence with the object of preventing a miscarriage of justice.

After the trial Oscar Wilde published a letter in which he stated that his reason for abandoning the case was to avoid calling Lord Alfred Douglas as a witness.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Wilde, and the police have detained three essential witnesses in connection with the proceedings which are to be instituted against him.

LATER.

Oscar Wilde has been arrested.

LONDON, 6th April.

Lord Alfred Douglas and two men remained in conference with Oscar Wilde for several hours after the trial. They lunched in a private room at the Holburn Viaduct Hotel, after which Lord Alfred Douglas and Wilde drove to one of the banks. Wilde drew out a large sum of money, and was afterwards lost sight of until he was arrested the same evening in an hotel in Sloane Street.

Lord Alfred Douglas was much distressed at the result of the trial. He is unable to provide bail for Wilde's release.

The Marquis of Queensberry sent Oscar Wilde a message after the trial stating that he would shoot him is he attempted to take Lord Alfred Douglas abroad.

The man Taylor, who introduced to Oscar Wilde the young men mentioned during the trial, was arrested to-day.

Both Oscar Wilde and Taylor were brought up at Bow-street Police Court to-day. Several witnesses gave evidence which went to show that the charge now preferred against Wilde can be proved up to the hilt. It was also shown that Taylor acted as an intermediary for Wilde.

Oscar Wilde's name has been withdrawn from the playbills at the London and American theatres, where Wilde’s dramas, "An Ideal Husband" and "The Importance of Being Earnest" are being played.

7th April.

Paris is petrified in consequence of the exposures in the Oscar Wilde case.

Oscar Wilde has been remanded until Thursday. He has not yet been bailed out.

LONDON, 8th April.

Since he has been remanded, the man Taylor, the associate of Oscar Wilde, has made statements which are likely to lead to many arrests. Taylor's lodgings were widely known, and were used regularly by four of the witnesses who gave evidence at the Bow-street Police Court on Saturday last. There were also many other visitors to the place.

LONDON, 10th April.

Several free libraries in the United States have destroyed Oscar Wilde's works.