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, 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.