The Poverty Bay Herald - Wednesday, May 29, 1895

Mr Labouchere, editor of London Truth, who has known Oscar Wilde for some years, says he has always regarded him as somewhat wrong in his head (writes a London correspondent). "So strange and wondrous is his mind," remarks that observant editor, "when in an abnormal condition that it would not surprise me if he were deriving keen enjoyment from a position which most people, innocent or guilty, would prefer to die rather than occupy. He must have known in what a glass home he lived when he challenged investigation in a court of justice. After he had done this, he went abroad. Why did he not stay abroad? The possibilities of prison may not be pleasing to him, but I believe the notoriety that has overtaken him has such a charm for him that it outweighs everything else. . . I remember in the early days of the cult of æstheticism hearing some one ask him how a man of his undoubted character could make such a fool of himself. He gave this explanation: He had written, he said, a book of poems. In vain he went from publisher to publisher, asking them to bring them out. Not one would even read them, for he was unknown. In order to find a publisher, he felt that he must do something to become a personality. So he hit upon æstheticism. It succeeded. People talked about him and invited him to their houses as a sort of lion. He then took his poems to a publisher who, still without reading them, gladly accepted the M.S."

Mrs Oscar Wilde is of Irish extraction. Her maiden name was Constance Lloyd. Her father had a lucrative practice as a barrister, and at his death she inherited a large sum of money. She has been described as exceedingly pretty, of dainty features and graceful figure. They were married some fifteen years ago, and until the present storm burst upon her husband's head, she appeared to believe in him implicitly, and to be deeply devoted to him. Their union, in fact, was regarded by many as an unusually fortunate and happy one. She continually looked up to the self-constituted autocrat of æstheticism, and scrupulously adopted his ideas of dress. Even after he had returned to the conventional styles of men's attire, she persisted in wearing the so-called æsthetic costumes, and these were frequently described with enthusiasm in ladies fashion journals.

The manners of Mrs Wilde are simplicity itself. It is related of her that she even shrinks from the telling of a "society fib." In Tite-street, Chelsea, her home was fitted up in admirable taste, and adorned with desirable pictures and statuary. Her receptions were at one time frequented by some of the noted men in literature, journalism, and art. Mrs Wilde has two children, boys, Cyril, born in 1885, and Vivian, born in 1886.

The San Francisco Examiner - Tuesday, April 30, 1895

LONDON, April 29. - It has been learned that immediately after her husband was arrested Mrs. Oscar Wilde took her children and her belongings from Willie’s residence, on Tite street, and instructed her lawyer to institute proceedings for divorce. The proceedings will hinge somewhat on the present criminal proceedings against Wilde. Willie Wilde, Oscar’s brother, formerly the husband of Mrs. Frank Leslie, who divorced him, had to raise money last week to pay Oscar’s lawyers for their services. Willie and Oscar have not been on friendly terms for a long time. When the former visited the Old Bailey on Friday to inform his brother that the money had been paid to Sir Edward Clarke, Oscar’s counsel, Oscar said:

"Do not come to see me. I do not wish to see my people."

The prosecution completed its case to-day in the trial of Oscar Wilde and Alfred Taylor. The defense will open to-morrow.

NEW YORK, April 29. - The wife of Oscar Wilde, who is about to sue him for divorce, is of Irish extraction. Her maiden name was Constance Lloyd. Her father had a lucrative practice as a barrister, and at his death she inherited a large sum of money. She has been described as exceedingly pretty, of dainty features and graceful figure. They were married some fifteen years ago, and until the present storm burst upon her husband's head, she appeared to believe in him implicitly and to be most deeply devoted to him. Their union, in fact, was regarded by many as an unusually fortunate and happy one. She continually looked up to the self-constituted autocrat of estheticism and scrupulously adopted his ideas as to dress. Even after he had returned to the conventional styles of men’s attire, she persisted in wearing the so-called esthetic costumes, and these were frequently described with enthusiasm in ladies’ fashion journals.

The manners of Mrs. Wilde are simplicity itself. It is related of her that she even shrinks from telling of a "society fib." In Tite street, Chelsea, her home was fitted up in admirable taste and adorned with desirable pictures and statuary. Her receptions were at one time frequented by some of the noted men in literature, journalism and art. Mrs. Wilde has two children, boys, Cyril, born in 1885, and Vivian, born in 1886.

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