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Original paragraph in
The West Australian - Saturday, April 6, 1895
The West Australian - Saturday, April 6, 1895
Most similar paragraph from
The West Australian - Monday, April 8, 1895
The West Australian - Monday, April 8, 1895
Difference
The trial of the Marquis of Queensberry for criminally libelling Mr. Oscar Wilde, the well known dramatist, was continued to-day, the
cross-examination of the complainant, Mr. Oscar Wilde, being continued. The alleged libel is contained on a post-card which the Marquis left with the hall
porter at Mr. Wilde's club. The defence is justification, the Marquis declaring that the letter was written with the object of saving his son, Lord Alfred
Douglas, from immoral influences exerted over him by Mr. Wilde. The defence is based on revelations contained in certain letters from Mr. Wilde to Lord
Alfred Douglas. For some of these letters Mr. Wilde has had, it is alleged, to pay heavy blackmail. The letters, which were of a very gushing character,
were found in some old clothes which Lord Alfred Douglas had given away.
The sudden close of the action brought by Mr. Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry for criminal libel has created a profound
sensation. The alleged libel was contained on a post-card which the Marquis left with the hall porter at Mr. Wilde's club. The defence was justification,
the Marquis declaring that the letter was written with the object of saving his son, Lord Alfred Douglas, from immoral influences exerted over him by Mr.
Wilde. The defence was based on revelations contained in certain letters from Mr. Wilde to Lord Alfred Douglas. For some of these letters Mr. Wilde had
had, it was alleged, to pay heavy blackmail. The letters, which were of a very gushing character, were found in some old clothes which Lord Alfred Douglas
had given away.
Mr. Oscar Wilde stated, in cross-examination, that he was acquainted with three men named Taylor, Parkes, and Atkins. Taylor introduced
him to five young men on separate occasions. To these young men witness had given money. He was not aware that they or any of them were gentlemen's
servants. It was a pleasure being in their company, as they were bright and happy people. Witness visited Taylor's rooms frequently. He became aware that
Taylor and Parkes had once been arrested, but that knowledge did not lead him to discontinue his friendship with them. He once took Atkins to Paris.
Taylor introduced him to a youth named Ernest Scarp, who had become acquainted with Lord Douglas during a voyage to Australia. Witness made presents to
Scarp and Taylor because he liked them.
Counsel for the Marquis of Queensberry read letters in Court showing that the Marquis endeavoured to stop his son, Lord Alfred Douglas,
visiting Mr. Wilde. Lord Alfred wired to his father saying that Mr. Wilde was a funny little man. The Marquis called at Mr. Wilde's house and made certain
charges against Mr. Wilde. A furious scene ensued, in the course of which Mr. Wilde denied the charges and closed the interview by showing the Marquis the
door. The Marquis subsequently wrote complaining that Mrs. Wilde encouraged his son to persist in his friendship with her husband.
Letters were read in Court from the youths already named. These letters showed that the writers were living in poverty and were striken
with shame. They implored assistance and employment.
In cross-examination Mr. Wilde admitted that he was on terms of close intimacy with the young men mentioned. He had introduced Taylor to
his friends and had dined with him at fashionable restaurants. He had also on several occasions spent the night with his guests at his hotel, but nothing
improper occurred on those occasions. He was regardless of the social inferiority of those with whom he associated, provided that they were an amusing
class of people.
A letter was put in as evidence which showed that Lord Alfred Douglas had threatened to shoot his father, if his father attempted to
thrash him.
In one of the Marquis of Queensberry's letters reference was made to an eminent statesman, but the reference was purely political.
The case for the prosecution closed today, and Mr. Carson, Q.C., M.P., leading counsel for the Marquis of Queensberry, began his speech
for the defence. He declared that Mr. Wilde's protègés were amongst the most immoral men in London. He commented on the fact that the prosecution did not
put Taylor into the witness box. He declared that Mr. Wilde's intimacies with the young man were absolutely irreconcileable with his claims to be regarded
as an exponent of culture. His literary work alone justified the steps taken by the Marquis of Queensberry. Witnesses would, however, be called who would
prove the case for the defence up to the hilt. Among the witnesses would be the man Wood, who was the chief among Mr. Wilde's blackmailers.
London, April 5.
The Queensberry-Wilde criminal libel action has been brought to a sudden and startling close. Mr. Wilde's counsel announced that he had
decided to withdraw from the case. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty, and expressed the opinion that the Marquis of Queensberry's charges were
made for the public benefit. It is expected that a warrant will be issued for Mr. Wilde's arrest.