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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.
Marlborough Express - Saturday, April 6, 1895
London, April 4.
In the course of his evidence, Mr Wilde explained the effusive language of the letters addressed to Lord Alfred 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!"
Wilde admitted a close intimacy with a number of young men, but denied anything improper in it. He paid no regard to social inferiority if 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 as political.
Wilde's case is closed.
Mr Carsons, in opening the defence, declared that the plaintiff's proteges were among the most immoral persons in London. Wilde's intimacies were absolutely irreconcileable with his claims to be an exponent of culture. His literature alone 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.
The Press - Friday, April 5, 1895
LONDON, April 4.
Immense crowds attend the trial of the Marquis of Queensberry on a charge of libelling Oscar Wilde. The evidence adduced to-day showed that Wilde paid heavy blackmail for his gushing letters to Lord Alfred Douglas (the Marquis's son), which were found in the pockets of his old clothes when given away. The defence is based on the revelations in these letters.
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 that gentleman responded with "You are the most infamous brute in London."
Wilde was subjected to stringent cross-examination with the view of showing that "Dorian Grey" and some articles in the magazine, the Chameleon, with which he is connected, were of an immoral tendency. Wilde insisted that they were merely the expression of an artistic faculty. His letters to Lord Alfred Douglas were prose poems, extraordinary perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation. He admitted that he gave one of his alleged blackmailers £21 and lunched with him in a private room afterwards.
The case was adjourned, the defendant being admitted to bail.