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This page compares two reports at the document level. The column on the left shows the first report and the column in the middle shows the second. The column on the right highlights any differences between the two documents. Pink shows differences in the first report and purple in the second report. The Match percentage shows the percentage of similarity between the two documents.
Auckland Star - Thursday, April 4, 1895
London, April 4.
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 that gentleman responded with, "You are the most infamous brute in London."
Wilde was subjected to a stringent cross-examination with the view of showing that "Dorian Gray," and some articles in a magazine, "Chameleon," with which he is connected, are of an immoral tendency. Wilde insisted that they are merely an expression of the artistic faculty. His letters to Lord. Douglas were prose poems—extraordinary, perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation. He admitted that he gave one of his alleged blackmailers twenty-one pounds, and lunched with him in a private room afterwards.
The case was adjourned, defendant being admitted to bail.
Wanganui Herald - Saturday, April 6, 1895
Mr Wilde admitted the close intimacy with a number of young men, but denied anything improper in it. He paid no regard to inferiority if the 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 eminent statesmen, but the reference was political.
Wilde's case is closed.
Mr Causon, in opening the defence, declared that plaintiff's proteges were among the most immoral persons in London. Wilde's intimacies were absolutely irreconcilible with his claims as an exponent of culture. His literature along 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.
In the course of his evidence, Mr 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!"
Later.
The charge of libel against the Marquis of Queensberry finished to day, a verdict of not guilty being returned.
The jury considered that the chares made by the Marquis were of public benefit.
Wilde's counsel withdrew from the case.
Wilde himself left the Court while his counsel was explaining that plaintiff's literature and letters justified the plea of defence that Wilde posed as an immoral man. He explained the reason he withdrew from the case was so as to avoid the appalling evidence which would be adduced.
The vervict was received with cheers.
It is expected that Wilde will be arrested. No warrant has yet been applied for, but counsel for the Marquis has sent the Public Prosecutor the statement of witnesses and notes on the evidence, in order to prevent a miscarriage of justice.