Compare Documents

London, April 4th. - The suit of Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry was resumed to-day, the cross-examination of Wilde being continued. Much of the evidence given by Wilde was not fit for publication, the St. James Gazette announcing that owing to the nature of the testimony the paper would not further report the proceedings

In the re-direct examination letter written by the Marquis of Queensberry were read. In them the Marquis condemned his son for his conduct with Wilde, and reviled Rosebery, Gladstone and the Queen for the appointment of his son to the peerage of Drumlanrig. In one letter the Marquis declared Lord Douglas was not his own son. At the conclusion of Wilde's redirect examination the prosecution closed.

The counsel for the defense in the Wilde case in opening declared that the Marquis of Queensberry wanted to save his son from Wilde, who, according to his own admission, was the friend of a man known to be a procurer. At the conclusion of the counsel's address, in which he reviewed the admissions made by Wilde, the court adjourned.

London, April 5 — Oscar Wilde in his case of libel against the Marquis of Queensberry, testified that a man named Wood had either stolen or found some letters written by Mr. Wilde to Lord Alfred Douglas. These letters were of no importance. Afterward, in response to a strong appeal from Wood, he gave him £15 with which to go to America. Later Allen brought him a copy of one of these letters which had been sent to Mr. Beerbohm Tree. Allen demanded £60 for the letter. Mr. Wilde laughed at him and refused to pay the money, saying he had never received as much as £50 for his own short prose writings. He told Allen he had better sell the letters to somebody else. Subsequently he gave Allen a half sovereign for himself. Mr. Tree had handed him (Wilde) what purported to be a copy of a letter written by Mr. Wilde. When the Marquis of Queensberry called at his house in 1893 Mr. Wilde asked him whether he had come to apologize, but Queensberry instead of apologizing declared that he (Wilde) had taken furnished rooms for Lord Alfred Douglas. Wilde asked the marquis if he really accused him of the crime implied, whereupon the marquis replied: "You look it, and if ever I catch you with my son again I’ll thrash you."

Mr. Wilde continuing, said he replied to the marquis: "I don’t know the Queensberry rules, but the Oscar Wilde rules are short and at sight. The letters you have written about me are infamous. You are trying to ruin your son through me. Then when we were in the hall I said to a servant: This is the Marquis of Queensberry, the most infamous brute in London. Do not let him enter the house again."

Mr. Wilde said it was absolutely untrue that he had taken rooms for Lord Alfred Douglas, or that he had stopped with him at the Savoy Hotel. He had no connection with the Chameleon and strongly disapproved of the article entitled, "Acolyte and Priest," which had been punished therein. As regarded "Dorian Grey, " Mr. Wilde said it had first appeared as a serial in Lippincott’s Magazine, but had been altered when published in book form.

Cross-examined by Mr. Carson, Mr. Wilde admitted that he had stayed with Lord Alfred Douglas, Mr. Cromer and Mr. Worthington at various hotels in London. He was aware that Lord Alfred had written articles in the Chameleon. One of them, entitled "Two Loves " he did not read as improper, though the "Loves" were boys. He regarded portions of "Priest and Acolyte" as disgusting but did not think it was blasphemous.

Referring to his publication, "Philosophy for the Young" Mr. Carson asked Mr. Wilde said that he believed that the realization of self was the primal end of life.

Carson asked Mr. Wilde if he believed what he had written. Mr. Wilde answered: "I rarely write what I believe is true."

Continuing Mr. Wilde said that he believed that the realization of self was the primal end of life.

Mr. Wilde continuing his testimony on cross-examination, said that the man Allen when endeavoring to obtain money for the copy of the letter in his possession, and remarked that it might bear a curious meaning. To this Mr. Wilde testified that he replied: "Art is rarely intelligible to the criminal classes."

Pressed to say whether the articles in the Chameleon were not immortal, Mr. Wilde replied: "They were worse, they were badly written." Throughout his testimony Mr. Wilde maintained perfect composure. He frequently ran his fingers through his hair, a habit which is peculiar to him. Several times he propounded paradoxes to Mr. Carson, and in the course of the questioning contended that the latter addressed to Lord Alfred Douglas, which was read in court, was beautiful, but that it could not be judged as a letter apart from art. He denied that he had madly adored "a man 20 years his junior," he did not adore anyone except himself, nor did he believe that any book affected the conduct of its reader.

Mr. Wilde said that he gave Wood the £15 because Lord Alfred had asked him to assist Wood. He admitted that he thought the matter was blackmail, yet he gave the man £5 besides his dinner the next day, and saw him off for America. He knew a youth named Shelly. He and Shelly had often dined together, and he had given Shelly £9 upon one occasion. He denied any misconduct with Shelly. He also knew a youth named Conway and had met young Worthing. He had given the latter a suit of clothes. Nothing of an important nature had occurred between himself and Conway or Worthing.

The cross-examination of Wilde yesterday revealed the fact that he attended afternoon tea parties at the house of a man named Taylor, where he met a youth named Mavari, who has since disappeared. Wilde was aware that Taylor had been arrested but he did not think Taylor was notorious because of his practices. Taylor had introduced him to five young men. Witness made young men presents because they were poor. Wilde said he knew two brothers named Parker. He had dined with them. He was not aware one was a valet and the other a groom. He had given one money on the occasion of his taking tea with him (Wilde) in the latter’s private rooms. When Taylor and one of the Parkers were arrested, they wore women’s clothes and were charged with felonious practices. Wilde said Taylor’s arrest did not affect witness’ friendship for him. Wilde knew a man named Atkins. They went to Paris and stopped together. Wilde paid the fares, but declared it was an infamous lie to say they were guilty of misconduct. Wilde knew a youth named Granger and became angry when asked if he had ever kissed Granger. He declared that counsel was insolent. This ended the cross-examination.

Counsel for the defence in opening declared that Queensberry wanted to save his son from Wilde, who, according to his own admission, was a friend of a man known to be a procurer of boys for vicious purposes. Counsel declared the letter from Wilde to Lord Douglas showed Wilde to be guilty.