Ballinrobe Chronicle - Saturday, May 11, 1895

Legal formalities at Bow-street Police-court revealed on the 7th inst. the well-kept secret of who were the two gentlemen who had agreed to be the required sureties in £1250 each for the appearance of Oscar Wilde at tho next Old Bailey Sessions. Mr. Travers Humphreys introduced in this remarkable juxtaposition the Ref. Stewart Headlam and Lord Douglas of Hawick.

Mr. Angus Lewis, for the Treasury, intimated that no objection would be raised on his side; and both the proposed sureties baring satisfied the Court that they were solvent to the extent of £1250 each and willing to become bail, their recognisances were accepted.

About twenty minutes past two a four-wheeled cab drove into Bow-street from the direction of Longacre conveying from Holloway Oscar Wilde and Chief-Inspector White, while Inspector Brockwell, who originally had the prisoner in charge, sat with the gaoler. Wilde was dressed, as usual, with scrupulous care in dark frock-coat and silk hat, and when he alighted in the station yard he walked, erect and self-possessed, with all the old air of being superior to, and untouched by, circumstances. He was brought into the court building by a private door leading to the inner end of the official corridor, and without being taken into the court itself was conducted at once to the private office of Mr. Alexander, the chief clerk, where his recognisances were taken—a purely formal proceeding. Presently Wilde and his sureties quietly left the court by the magistrate's private door in Broadcourt, and walked rapidly away in the direction of Drury-lane. Thence the three drove straight from Bow-street to the Midland Grand Hotel in a hired cab which had been waiting at the back of the court. Mr. Wilde, in answer to inquiries addressed to him by a reporter, declared that he had nothing to say; but he seemed much relieved by the prospect of a little freedom and fresh air after so many weary days' confinement.

It was supposed that Mr. Wilde might intend taking an immediate trip to Scarborough, or some other of the Yorkshire watering-places, as it had been announced that he would spend the interval between his release and his next appearance at the Old Bailey at the seaside. A train for the North left the station at four o'clock, but he did not travel by it. Mr. Headlam left the hotel at this hour, and walked away down Eustonroad smoking a cigarette, Lord Douglas having in the meantime engaged rooms for the afternoon at the Midland Grand. Later in the afternoon Mr. Wilde was visited by an old personal friend, and he was also busily engaged for a considerable time with two of Messrs. Humphreys and Son's clerks over his private affair and the pending new trial. He was then stated to be suffering from prostration and weakness, and unable to undergo the fatigue of an interview.

Mr. Wilde's solicitors, at their client's own request, have intimated to the authorities that they are perfectly prepared to keep them fully informed as to his movements and precise whereabouts between now and the 20th inst., when Mr. Wilde will, in due course, give himself up to the police.

The Rev. Stewart Headlam, interviewed as to the reasons which induced him to become surety for Mr. Wilde, banded to the reporter the following statement in writing : I have undertaken this responsibility on public grounds. I felt that the public mind had been prejudiced before the case begun, and I was anxious to give Mr. Wilde any help I could to enable him to stand his trial in good health and spirits.

Reynolds's Newspaper - Sunday, May 12, 1895

At Bow-street on Tuesday Mr. Travers Humphreys, Mr. Angus Lewis (of the Treasury), and Detective-inspector Brockwell (of Scotland Yard), were in attendance with reference to the proposed bail of Mr. Oscar Wilde. Addressing Mr. Vaughan, the presiding Magistrate, Mr. Humphreys explained that Baron Pollock had fixed the amount of bail at two sureties in £1,250 each, and himself in £2,500). Two gentlemen were present and were willing to enter into sureties and produce Mr. Wilde at the next sessions. Mr. Vaughan: Who are they? Mr. Humphreys: They are the Rev. Stewart Headlam, of 31, Upper Bedford-place, and Lord Douglas of Harwick and Tibbers. Mr. Vaughan: Is there any objection on the part of the Treasury?

Mr. Angus Lewis: No, sir. Mr. Headlam and Lord Douglas then entered into the necessary sureties, and Mr. Vaughan directed that Mr. Wilde should be brought from Holloway at Bow-street in order that he might enter into his own recognizances as directed by the Judge.

Sergeant White, the Bow-street gaoler, at once proceeded in a cab to Holloway, and returned with Mr. Wilde at twenty minutes past two. The news that he was expected had spread rapidly, and a large crowd awaited his arrival. They saw very little, however, as the cab containing the gaoler and the prisoner was rapidly driven into the police station yard. Mr. Wilde looked far more cheerful than when he last appeared at Bow-street, but there was a wearied expression at his features strongly indicative of sleepless nights, and it could plainly be seen that he was in anything but robust health. His body seemed to be slightly bent.

On entering the gateway leading into the courtyard of the police station, Mr. Wilde found the Rev. Stewart Headlam and Lord Douglas of Harwick awaiting his arrival. Some trifling formalities had to be gone through to enable the prisoner to legally enter into his own recognizances for £2,500, and hence several minutes elapsed before Mr. Wilde and his sureties passed down the passage and entered the clerk's office, where the former completed his obligations by signing what is commonly known as the bail book. The Press men who thronged the passage in question were, while this was going on, requested by an inspector to quit the premises, and thereby narrowly escaped missing altogether Mr. Wilde's departure. He and his two companions, however, were discovered making their exit somewhat hurriedly from a side door leading into Drury-lane, with a man behind them carrying a a portmonteau. A four-wheeler was drawn up in Drury-lane close to the station, and Mr. Wilde, the Rev. Steward Headlam, and Lord Douglas at once entered it and drove off. In this instance too, Mr. Wilde was fortunate enough to escape public recognition, and thus avoided demonstration of any kind. The vehicle was driven at a rapid pace to the Midland Hotel at St. Pancras, which was reached about three o'clock. Here rooms were engaged by his lordship. Apparently a consultation was held between Mr. Wilde and his sureties, for it was not until four o'clock that the Rev. Stewart Headlam left the hotel by the main entrance. Later on in the afternoon, Mr. Wilde was visited by an old personal friend, and he was also busily engaged for a considerable time over his private affairs, and the pending new trial. Mr. Wilde's solicitors, at their client's own request, have intimated to the authorities that they are perfectly prepared to keep them fully informed as to his movements and precise whereabouts between now and the 20th inst., when Mr. Wilde will in due course give himself up to the police.

MR. HEADLAM'S REASONS.

The Rev. Stewart Headlam, interviewed by a Press representative at the close of the proceedings at Bow-street as to the reasons which induced him to become surety for Mr. Wilde, handed to the reporter the following statement in writing: "I have undertaken this responsibility on public grounds. I felt that the public mind had been prejudiced before the case began, and I was anxious to give Mr. Wilde any help I could to enable him to stand his trial in good health and spirits."

OSCAR WILDE GONE TO THE SEASIDE.

Mr. Oscar Wilde on Thursday left the Midland Hotel at St. Pancras, and, although his movements are kept a secret, there is good reason to believe that he took his departure from town for Babbicombe, near Torquay. Before leaving town Mr. Wilde had given his solicitors full instructions for the new trial, which commences at the next sessions at the Old Bailey on Monday week. Since his release from Holloway, there has been but little improvement manifested in his general health. He is stated, however, by those who last saw him to have become more cheerful in his demeanour. The date of Wilde's return to the metropolis is uncertain, but it is probable that he will take full advantage of the change of air permitted by his bail.

INSULTING LETTERS TO MR. HEADLAM.

Since he became surety for Oscar Wilde, the Rev. Stewart Headlam has been the recipient of a number of letters containing obscene rhymes and vile insinuations. Two or three of his cowardly assailants have even resorted to postcards. As might be imagined, these grossly insulting epistles are strictly anonymous, but in one case the writer, who is evidently a University man well versed in the classics, is suspected to be a personal enemy of Mr. Wilde's.

One the other hand, Mr. Headlam has been overwhelmed with communications from friends congratulating him upon his bold and generous conduct. The Fabians, moreover, at their annual meeting on Friday evening gave him when he entered the hall of reception that clearly betokened approval of his action. It has been pointed out that Mr. Headlam has frequently strongly supported people, the opinions or actions of whom he could not approve. Mr. Bradlaugh's atheistic views, for instance, did not prevent Mr. Headlam from doing everything he could in order that he might have justice. The persecuting attitude of the theater managers towards the author of" Lady Windermere's Fan" is one of the factors that induced Mr. Headlam, whilst he has also been impressed by the manly way in which Oscar Wilde has so far gone through his fiery ordeal.

The statement that Mr Wilde has gone to Babbicombe Torquay, is incorrect. He is elsewhere, but in order to secure him freedom from annoyance the name of the place is not to be published at present.

"Esculapius," writing from Turnbridge Wells, says he is delighted with the comments that have appeared in Reynolds's Newspaper on the Wilde case, and he thinks Society is deeply indebted to us for our exposure of current hypocrisies. After expressing admiration of our article on Sex-Mania, he strongly protests against the evil practice of Malthusianism, when he says is anti-Christian.

BIOGRAPHY OF OSCAR.

George Taylor, at the City Summons Court on Tuesday, pleaded "Guilty" to a summons for carrying a placard by way of an advertisement without the consent of the City Commissioner of Police. Constable Edwards, 165, said the defendant was carrying the large placard produced, upon which there appeared in large type, "Life and Doings of Oscar Wilde. Complete, 1d. "Let off" with a fine of 1s, and no costs. Removed for "one day" in default.

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