The National Police Gazette - Saturday, June 8, 1895

For the second time in the past three months the Marquis of Queensberry has appeared in a police court. This last time he was with his eldest son, Lord Douglas, of Hawick, whom he had punched vigorously on the street the evening before, and who had a reminder of the family quarrel in the shape of a beautiful black eye. If ever young Lord Douglas got it into his head that he could successfully cope with his sportive parent, he has had now a good opportunity to change his mind.

The Marquis was crossing over Piccadilly, in the direction of Albemarle street, where his hotel be situated, on the evening of the fracas, when he was met by his son, who appeared to be in an excited condition, and apparently without any preliminary beyond asking his father how he dared send insulting letters to Lady Douglas, pushed, rather than struck, the elder man. The latter was staggered somewhat, and his hat fell off, but recovering himself, he struck out at his son.

At this juncture a policeman appeared on the scene, and putting his arm between the two, request them both to refrain from making a scene.

Lord Douglas, however, in returning his father’s blow, struck the policeman violently in the mouth, though, of course, only accidentally.

After a short discussion the gentleman in blue somewhat wisely retired from the scene, but the combatants a few yards further along Piccadilly, resumed their verbal altercation, and eventually came again to actual blows.

In short, in the sharp encounter which followed, the author of the Queensberry rules put his pugilistic theories into practice, and, when the police, who had by this time reappeared, separated them, Lord Douglas of Hawick was the possessor of a scientifically discolored eye. Both representatives of the noble house of Douglas were then incumbently marched off to the Vine street police station, where a charge of disorderly conduct was preferred against them. As they were perfectly well known they were allowed to depart when they had entered into their own recognizances to the sum of £2 to appear in court in the morning.

When they were arraigned in the Marlborough Police Court both men were placed in the dock together to respond to a charge of disorderly conduct and fighting on the street.

The Marquis said that his son was the aggressor having first assaulted him, and that he only struck 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 Queesnberry had sent a telegram to Lord Douglas and his wife which was as follows:

"I must congratulate you on the result of the trial. I cannot on Percy’s appearance. He looks like a dug up corpse. I fear he has had too much madness of kissing. Taylor guilty. Wilde’s turn tomorrow.

"QUEENSBERRY".

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 prosecuted a very jaunty appearance, admitted that he had offered to fight his son, Lord Douglas of Hawick, anywhere or at any time for £1,000. 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 as he took his departure.

The Marquis went directly from the Marlborough Street Police Station to the Old Bailey Court, where he was an attentive listener at the trial of Oscar Wilde.

The Boston Globe - Thursday, May 23, 1895

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 in respect to 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 Marlborough police court this morning and placed in the dock together, to answer a charge of disorderly conduct and fighting on the street.

The marquis said that his son was the aggressor, having first assaulted him, and that he only struck back in self-defense.

Lord Douglas of Hawick said that 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, 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 $2500 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 anytime for $50,000.

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 as he took his departure.

The marquis went directly from the Marlboro st police court to the Old Bailey court, where he was an attentive listener at the trial of Oscar Wilde.

WILDE'S SECOND TRIAL. Oscar Looked Pale, Evidently Affected by Taylor's Conviction.

LONDON, May 22 - The second trial of Oscar Wilde began in the central criminal court Old Bailey, this morning.

Wilde, upon entering court, was accompanied by but one of his sureties, the Rev. Stewart Headlam, his other bondsman, Lord Douglas of Hawick being engaged in the Marlborough st police court in defending himself against a charge of disorderly conduct.

Wilde looked pale and haggard as he entered the dock, evidently being greatly affected by the result of the trial of Taylor yesterday.

Sir Frank Lockwood conducted the prosecution. The alleged offenses charged against Wilde, he said in his opening address, occured between February, 1892, and October, 1893. He laid especial stress upon the charge in which Wilde was involved with Shelley.

Mr Lockwood thought the jury should accept the prosecution's evidence as regarded Wilde’s mode of life at the Savoy Hotel.

Edward Shelley was called to the stand, and repeated what he had previously testified to.

Sir Edward Clark severely cross-examined Shelley, who admitted that he was mistaken in his testimony in the Bow st police court giving the time of his breaking off with Wilde, and also admitted that Wilde did not mention or suggest any acts of misconduct after the first interview.

Wilde became indisposed at this point and was obliged to temporarily leave the dock. The examination of Shelley was meanwhile suspended.

The proceedings were resumed in a few minutes.

Mr Elkin Matthews, the publisher, deposed that Wilde was acquainted with Shelley.

Shelley's cross-examination being resumed, he admitted that he had a brother who was insane. He also admitted having written a letter to Wilde in which he said: "I am afraid that sometimes I am not very sane, but I am certain that I am sane now."

He maintained, however, that the charges he had made against Wilde were true.

Alfred Wood and Charles Parker were called to the stand and repeated the testimony previously given by them, after which the court adjourned.

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