The Globe - Thursday, May 23, 1895

Yesterday’s report that the Marquis of Queensberry and his son, Lord Alfred Doulas, were engaged in a fight in Piccadilly was erroneous in respect of the counter participant in the affray. It was the Marquis’ elder son Lord Douglas of Hawick, who was his antagonist. Both were arraigned in the Marlboro’ Street Police Court this morning, and placed in the dock to answer a charge of disorderly conduct and fighting on the streets. The marquis said his son was the aggressor, having first assaulted him, and that he only struck him back in self-defense. Lord Douglas of Hawick said he merely desired his father’s assurance that he would cease writing obscene letters to his (Hawick’s) wife, reviling her husband. His aim in meeting his father was to stop these foul and obscene communications. Lord Queensberry objected to the letters in question being called obscene. Hearing that Oscar Wilde was residing with Lord Douglas, he went to the latter’s house and obtained the assurance of his daughter-in-law that his younger son, Lord Alfred Douglas, was not there also. He thereupon ceased writing letters to Lord Douglas’ wife. Lord Douglas’ lawyer wished to read the letters in question, but the Magistrate would not allow it. The lawyer said that at the conclusion of Taylor’s trial the Marquis of Queensberry had sent a telegram to Lord Douglas and his wife. Both the Marquis and his son were bound in sureties of £500 each to keep the peace for six months. The Marquis, who wore a fresh boutonniere and presented a very jaunty appearance, admitted that he had offered to fight his son, Lord Douglas of Hawick, anywhere or at any time for £10,000. Lord Douglas showed a very black eye as the result of his encounter with his father, but the latter did not show a mark. The crowd cheered the Marquis as he drove away in a cab, and as earnestly hissed and hooted Lord Douglas. The Marquis went directly from the Marlborough Street Police Court to the Old Bailey Court, where he was an attentive listener to the trial of Oscar Wilde.

The Evening Journal - Wednesday, May 22, 1895

London, May 22.- The Marquis of Queensbury met his son, Lord Alfred Douglas, in Piccadilly shortly after the conclusion of the Taylor trial, when he stopped him and abused him roundly for continuing to uphold Oscar Wilde. A vehement exchange of violent language ensued, and the quarrel was rapidly reaching the point of blows when the police broke through the large crowd which had collected and stopped the row. Both Lord Queensbury and his son were arrested and taken to the Vine street police station, followed by a mob. After a short detention in the station, the father and son were released.

LATER.- Another report has it that the Marquis and Lord Alfred fought in the street with sticks and fists, the son getting much the worst of it, showing several contusions on the face. The Marquis upon leaving the police station showed no traces of having been engaged in an affair. He was cheered by the crowd until he drove off in a cab.

The Hearing To-day.

London, May 22.- Yesterday's report that the Marquis of Queensberry and his son, Lord Alfred Douglas, were engaged in a fight in Piccadilly was erroneous as regards the part of the younger participant in the affray. It was the Marquis' elder son, Lord Douglas of Hawick, who was his antagonist. Both were arraigned in the Marlboro street police court this morning and placed in the dock together to answer a charge of disorderly conduct and fighting in the street. The Marquis said his son was the aggressor, having first assaulted him, and that he only struck back in self-defence.

Alleged Obscene Letters.

Lord Douglas of Hawick said he merely desired his father's assurance that he would cease writing obscene letters to his (Hawick's) wife, reviling her husband. His aim in meeting his father was to stop these foul and obscene communications.

Lord Queensberry objected to the letters in question being called obscene. Hearing that Oscar Wilde was residing with Lord Douglas, he went to the latter's house and obtained the assurance of his daughter-in-law, that his younger son, Lord Douglas, was not there also. He thereupon ceased writing letters to Lord Douglas' wife.

Both Bound Over.

Lord Douglas' lawyer wished to read the letters in question, but the magistrate would not allow it. The lawyer said that at the conclusion of Taylor's trial the Marquis of Queensberry had sent a telegram to Lord Douglas and his wife.

[…] the Marquis and his son were […] in sureties of £500 each to keep the peace for six months.

The Verdict of the Crowd.

The Marquis, who wore a fresh boutonniere and presented a very jaunty appearance admitted that he had offered to fight his son, Lard Douglas of Hawick, any where or at any time for £10,000. Lord Douglas showed a very black eye as the result of his encounter with his father, but the latter did not show a mark. The crowd cheered the Marquis as he drove away, in a cab, and as earnestly hissed and hooted Lord Douglas.

The Marquis went directly from the Marlborough street police court to the Old Bailey court, where he was an attentive listener at the trial of Oscar Wilde.

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