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Original paragraph in
Sydney Evening News - Saturday, April 6, 1895
Sydney Evening News - Saturday, April 6, 1895
Most similar paragraph from
Patea Mail - Monday, April 8, 1895
Patea Mail - Monday, April 8, 1895
Difference
London, April 4. -- The trial of the Marquis of Queensberry for libelling Oscar Wilde was continued at the Old Bailey to-day.
Evidence was given that the Marquis wrote to Lord Alfred Douglas that if the worst were true he would be justified in shooting Wilde. He
(the Marquis) believed Lord Alfred was crazy, and suggested he should leave the country.
Prosecutor, re-called, admitted close intimacy with young men who had been introduced to him by Taylor. He had entertained them at dinner
at fashionable cafes. Several had spent the night as his guests at his hotels, but nothing improper occurred. He was regardless of the social inferiority
of his guests if they were amusing.
Letters written by Lord Alfred Douglas were read, in which the latter threatened to shoot his father if he thrashed him.
Some letters of the Marquis of Queensberry read referred to eminent statesmen, but the references to them were only political.
The case for the prosecution having closed,
Mr. E. H. Carson, Q.C., M.P., in opening the defence, declared that Wilde's protegÈ's were among the most immoral men in London. He
commented strongly on the fact that the prosecutor had not called Taylor as a witness. Wilde's intimacies were absolutely irreconcilable with his claim as
an exponent of culture, and his literature alone justified the action of the Marquis. In conclusion, Mr. Carson said among other witnesses he would call
Wood, the chief black-mailer, and would prove his case up to the hilt.
Mr Carson, in opening the case of the defence, declared that the plaintiff's protegés were among the most immoral persons in London,
and that Wilde' intimacies were absolutely irreconcilable with his claims as an exponent of culture. His literature alone justified charges against him.
In conclusion, counsel claimed that defendant's witnesses, amongst whom was Wood, the chief blackmailer, would prove the case to the hilt.
London, April 5. --During the address of Mr. Carson and while he was explaining that the prosecutor's literature and letters justified the
plea that Wilde posed as an immoral person, counsel for the prosecution withdrew. Wilde then withdrew the charge in order to avoid the appalling evidence
that he feared would be brought against him by the witnesses for the defence, and hurriedly left the court.
The jury then, at the direction of the judge, returned a verdict of "Not guilty." The jury added that the Marquis of Queensberry was
justified in his action, that it was for the public benefit, and that the evidence showed that Oscar Wilde had habitually associated with the lowest and
most notorious immoral men, chiefly servants.
The verdict was received by the crowded court with loud cheers.
No warrant against Oscar Wilde was applied for, but Mr. Russell, solicitor for the Marquis of Queensberry, sent to the Public Prosecutor
a statement of the notes of the evidence given by witnesses during the case, with the object of preventing a miscarriage of justice. It is expected that
Wilde will be arrested.