The expected application for Mr. Oscar Wilde to be released on bail was made at Bow Street this morning, before Mr. Vaughan. Mr. Travers Humphreys appeared on behalf of the prisoner, while the Treasury was represented by Mr. Angus Lewis.
Mr. Humphreys briefly recapitulated the history of the case up to the application made yesterday to Baron Pollock, and said that he was now prepared with the necessary sureties. Both of them were persons of substance, and their names had been submitted to and approved by the Treasury. One was the Rev. Stewart Headlam and the other Lord Douglas of Hawick.
Both these gentlemen were called and swore that they were worth £1,250—the amount of bail fixed for each surety by Baron Pollock.
Mr. Vaughan said he was perfectly satisfied with the bail tendered, and he ordered Wilde's immediate release.
Mr. Stewart Headlam, interviewed by a Press Association representative at the close of the proceedings as to his reason for becoming surety, said: I have undertaken this responsibility on public grounds. I felt that the public mind had been prejudiced before the case began, and I was anxious to give Mr. Wilde any help I could to enable him to stand his trial in good health and spirits.
Mr. Stewart Headlam, interviewed by a Press Association representative at the close of the proceedings as to his reason for becoming surety, said—"I have undertaken this responsibility on public grounds. I felt that the public mind had been prejudiced before the case began, and I was anxious to give Mr. Wilde any help I could to enable him to stand his trial in good health and spirits"
At the close of the hearing to-day, Lord Douglas of Hawick and the Rev. Stewart Headlam, accompanied by one of Messrs. Humphreys' clerks, entered a cab and drove to Holloway Gaol, where, after Mr. Oscar Wilde was entered into his own recognisances before the Governor of the prison, he was released at one o'clock.
Wilde drove from the gaol in a four-wheeler to Bow Street, where he went into the Clerk's room and signed what is known as the bail book, after which, accompanied by Lord Douglas of Hawick, he re-entered the cab and drove off.
Another account says:—On leaving the court he walked along Broad Court, followed by a small crowd of reporters and others, and entering a four-wheeled cab in waiting, in the company of Lord Douglas of Hawick aud Mr. Stewart Headlam, drove off along Drury Lane.