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Original paragraph in
The Brisbane Courier - Saturday, April 6, 1895
The Brisbane Courier - Saturday, April 6, 1895
Most similar paragraph from
The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser - Saturday, April 13, 1895
The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser - Saturday, April 13, 1895
Difference
The hearing of the charge of criminal libel brought by Mr. Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry was resumed this morning.
Mr. Wilde, in further cross-examination, said he was acquainted with certain persons named Taylor, Parker, and Atkins. Taylor had
introduced to him on separate occasions five young men, to whom he (witness) gave money. He was not aware that any of them were gentlemen's servants. He
took pleasure in being in the company of bright and happy people, and he visited Taylor's room. He was aware that Taylor and Parker were once arrested,
but he still continued on terms of friendship with them. Taylor introduced him to a youth named Ernest Scarp, who became acquainted with Lord Arthur
Douglas during a voyage to Australia.
Mr. Wilde tendered to the Judge certain letters from the youths already mentioned, which were read, and showed that the writers were
poverty-stricken, and implored him to give them assistance or employment.
Other letters were read in the court which showed that the Marquis of Queensberry had endeavoured to stop his son visiting Mr. Wilde, but
his son (Lord Alfred Douglas) wired to the Marquis stating that "he (Wilde) was a funny little man." The Marquis then called at Mr. Wilde's house, and a
furious scene ensued. Mr. Wilde denied the charge made against him, and showed the Marquis the door.
It transpired that the friendship between Mr. Wilde and Lady Queensberry (who last year obtained a decree of nullity of marriage) and her
sons remains unbroken.
In the course of his cross-examination, Mr. Oscar Wilde admitted his close intimacy with young man introduced to him by Taylor. He said
he was regardless of the social inferiority of those he associated with if they were amusing.
Lord Alfred Douglas's letters, read in court, showed that he threatened to shoot his father if the latter attempted to thrash him.
Letters written by Lord Alfred Douglas were read, in which he threatened to shoot his father if he attempted to thrash him.
The Marquis of Queensberry's letters referred to several eminent statesmen, but the references were entirely of a political nature.
This closed Mr. Wilde's case.
Mr. Carson, Q.C., in opening the case for the defence, declared that Mr. Wilde's protégés were amongst the most immoral in London. He
commented upon the fact that Taylor had not been called as a witness for the prosecution, and declared that Mr. Wilde's intimacies were absolutely
irreconcilable with his claims to be an exponent of culture. Mr. Carson further contended that Mr. Wilde's literature alone justified the Marquis of
Queensberry in the course he had taken. His witnesses, including Wood, the alleged chief blackmailer, would, Mr. Carson affirmed, prove his case up to the
hilt.
Mr. E.H. Carson, Q.C., M.P., in opening the case for the defence, declared that Wilde's protégés 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. Mr. Carson said that among other witnesses he would
call Wood, the chief blackmailer, and would prove his case up to the hilt.
The court then adjourned.
LONDON, April 5.
On the resumption of the case this morning Mr. Wilde's counsel withdrew from the case.
The jury brought in a verdict of "Not guilty," and stated that the charges made by the Marquis of Queensberry were made for the public
benefit.
The jury returned a verdict of not guilty, and considered that the charges made by the Marquis of Queensberry were for the public
benefit. The verdict was received in court with loud cheers.
It is now expected that Mr. Oscar Wilde will be arrested.