The Yorkshire Evening Post - Monday, April 8, 1895

"You are not an artist," said Wilde at the Old Bailey when Mr. Carson refused to take some piece of shameless immorality as "a work of pure beauty." "No, I am not an artist," rejoined Mr. Carson, "and when I hear some of your answers I am very glad of it."

MR. CARSON'S MODESTY.

Mr. Carson, far from joining in the general chorus of approval which has greeted his masterly display of cross-examination, says that he never had a much easier case. "Carson is the coming Russell of his day so far as cross-examination is concerned," remarked one M.P. the other night. It was curious, and at the same time rather pleasant (remarks a Parliamentary writer) to observe bitter political opponents patting Mr. Carson on the shoulders, and saying, "Well done!" You might have seen Mr. Tim Heaiy and Mr. Swift MacNeill acting so.

HOW SOME LETTERS WERE SECURED.

One of the principal witnesses who was to have been called to support Lord Queenberry's case left his lodgings in London some time ago rather hurriedly, leaving his rent unpaid. An agent of the solicitor called to inquire after the missing lodger, and was told that nothing was known of him, but on payment of the rent due he could have a box which had been left behind. Needless to say, the rent was paid and the box taken away in triumph. When opened it was found to contain a score or so of important letters.

WILDE AT MAGDALEN.

Oscar Wilde while at Oxford was the only Demy who was in the best Magdalen set, and who frequented the Junior Common-room, of which he was the life and soul, for he kept the table in a roar with his constant flow of Irish wit. He occupied charming rooms looking over the Cherwell and Magdalen Bridge, which were known as "Prince Rupert's Rooms." Dining at the Mitre Hotel, being driven by his friends on drags and tandems, a little languid boating on the upper river, a good deal of "loo" and "nap," were (the Morning says) the amusements of Mr. Wilde's undergraduate days. Though he had not been to an English public school, he more than held his own against the sixth form men from Eton and Harrow, for he took a first-class with the greatest ease in Moderations and "Greats," and was a brilliant classical scholar.

TAKING OFF THE NAME.

Mr. Sydney Grundy writes to the Telegraph:—"I wonder on what principle of law, or justice, or common sense, or good manners, or Christian charity, an author's name is blotted from his work. If a man is not to be credited with what he has done well, by what right is he punished for what he has done ill?

OSCAR WILDE'S INCOME.

A correspondent writes that from his plays and literary work Oscar Wilde was earning £10,000 a year.

LORD ALFRED DOUGLAS'S DEVOTION.

Questioned by a reporter as to what he was going to do now, Lord Alfred Douglas replied, "If Mr. Wilde should be locked up I shall get a house near the prison and live there till he comes out."

IN THE "BLACK MARIA."

After the hearing of the trial on Saturday, Wilde and Taylor were removed to the gaoler's quarters to await their conveyance to Holloway. The prisoners were kept strictly apart. Wilde could not restrain his penchant for talking, and referred to the harshness oi the magistrate in refusing to allow bail. Apparently he was not aware of the fact that the gravity of the charge precluded all possibility of temporary freedom. Every consideration was shown to Wilde, notwithstanding his peevishness. He meekly followed tha officer, pausing only for an instant at the steps of the van to have a deep-drawn sigh. A minute afterwards the door of the "Black Maria" had closed upon him, and in less than half-an-hour Wilde was within the gates of Holloway Gaol.

IN THE CELLS.

When Wilde arrived at Holloway Gaol he was conveyed to one of the better class cells, the occupation of which is provided for by the prison regulations on payment of about a shilling a day. It has been arranged that one of the prisoners at Holloway shall perform the menial duties which every prisoner is bound himself to perform unless prepared to pay for a substitute. His meals will be supplied by a local caterer, and he will be allowed to receive a daily visit from a friend. He will, however, be obliged to forego cigarette smoking, and to attend the parade of the prisoners at the gaol awaiting trial.

"Q."

The Marquess of Queensberry, before he brought the quarrel between himself and Oscar Wilde to a head, had for three months been quietly living at Kinmount House, his seat in Dumfriesshire. On leaving, he made a short sojourn at Carlisle, and then went up to London. Whatever new discoveries he made there, he appears not to have acted on the spur of the moment. In fact, he was in town for some three weeks before he took the final step. His son, Lord Alfred Douglas, is some 25 years old, not, as was stated the other day, 19 or 20.

UNDERGRADUATES TOGETHER.

Mr. Edward Carson and Mr. Oscar Wilde were undergraduates together in Trinity College, Dublin, upwards of 20 years ago, and were, indeed, members of the same class. Oscar Wilde was a scholar of Trinity, and one of the best classics of his year. Mr. Carson's Academic career was, comparatively speaking, undistinguished.

THE JURY'S INTENTION.

It is said that the jury at the Old Bailey were prepared to return a verdict acquitting Lord Queensberry soon as the case for the prosecution was closed. An intimation to this effect was, it is believed, conveyed to the judge, and may not improbably have reached Sir Edward Clarke's ears. Whether this had anything to do with the abrupt termination of the case we cannot say.

Bristol Mercury - Monday, April 8, 1895

At Bow street police court on Saturday, before Sir John Bridge, Oscar Fingall O'Flaherty Wilde, described as "gentleman" of 16, Tite street, who had been arrested the previous evening and confined in a cell for the night-an offer of bail by Lord Alfred Douglas being refused - was charged on a warrent under Section 11 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act with committing and inciting to the committal of offences therein provided against. For half an hour before the doors opened a large crowd had gathered in front of the court, but only those having professional duties to disharge, the witnesses, and a few friends of the accused were then admitteed. These were at first allowed to take their seats in the large court, but after an interval of more than half-an-hour it was announced that the case would be taken in the Extradition Court, and a rush was made for places in that small room. A few of the public were subsequently admitted. The prisoner maintained his composure during the proceedings. Mr C. F. Gill, instructed by Mr Angus Lewis, of the Treasury, appeared on behalf of the Public Prosecutor, and Mr O. O. Humphreys represented Mr Wilde.

Mr Gill said that no good purpose would be served by going into the details of the charges in an opening speech. What the prisoner would be ultimately committed upon would depend on the nature of the evidence produced. The first charge referred to the conduct of Wilde with the young man Charles Parker in 1893. He would also be charged with conspiring with the man Alfred Taylor. The prisoner had already had an opportunity of giving his version of the affair, and he could do so again if he chose. It was a most unpleasant case to go into, but one of enormous public importance. It was enormously important that it should be known that there was only one end to such a life as that of the prisoner Wilde, and that was at the hands of justice.

Charles Parker, a well, dressed young man, 19 years of age, then gave evidence. During his examination, Taylor, who had been arrested in the morning in Pimlioo, was brought into court, placed in the dock, and charged with being concerned with the prisoner Wilde in the committal of the alleged offences.

Mr Travers Humphrey—who temporarily took the place of Mr. O.O . Humphreys—asked leave to postpone the cross-examination of Parker, who was accordingly bound in £80 to appear at the sessions.

The next witness, William Parker, brother of the last witness, who gave confirmatory evidence, became ill during his examination, and had to be accommodated with a seat.

Mrs Ellen Grant, 13, Little College street, described the rooms there occupied by the prisoner Taylor. They were furnished very nicely. The windows were very dark, especially in the sitting room. Art muslin was strained over the glass, and there were dark curtains and muslin curtains. There was no daylight. It was lit by candles. He furnished the place himelf. He kept no servants. He was visited there by a great many young "gentlemen."

Alfred Wood (a clerk), Sidney Mayor, Anton Migge (a masseur), and Jane Cotter (a chambermaid at the Savoy) also gave evidence.

The cave was then adjourned till Thursday, Sir Johh Bridge remarking, "The case is not one for bail."

When Mr Oscar Wilde arrived at Holloway gaol on Saturday after the proceedings at Bow street he was conveyed to one of the better class cells, the occupation of which is provided for by the prison regulations on payment of about a shilling a day. It has been arranged that one of the prisoners at present at Holloway shall perform the mental duties which every prisoner is bound himself to perform unless prepared to pay for a substitute. His meals will be supplied by a local caterer, and he will be allowed to receive a daily visit from a friend. He will, however, be obliged to forego cigarette smoking and to attend the parade of the prisoners at the gaol awaiting trial.

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