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Original paragraph in
The Irish News and Belfast Morning News - Thursday, April 4, 1895
The Irish News and Belfast Morning News - Thursday, April 4, 1895
Most similar paragraph from
Bristol Mercury - Saturday, April 6, 1895
Bristol Mercury - Saturday, April 6, 1895
Difference
LONDON, WEDNESDAY.The Marquis of Queensberry surrendered to his bail to-day at the Central Criminal Court, indicted for
publishing a defamatory libel on Oscar Wilde, by addressing to him a card at the Albemarle Club. There was a crowded attendance of the public. On taking
his place in the dock Lord Queensberry answered the indictment by pleading first "not guilty," and, secondly, that the libel was true, and was published
for the public benefit.
Sir E CLARKE, in opening for the prosecution, said very grave issues had been raised because the defendant, in his pleadings, alleged
that the plaintiff had for some time solicited persons named to commit indecent offences. Certain letters addressed by the plaintiff to Lord A. Douglas
were brought to him by a man who said he was in distress, and Mr. Wilde gave him £15 or £20 to pay his passage to America. Another letter came to
plaintiff, through Mr. Tree, the actor. It was handed to that gentleman, who, in turn, gave it to plaintiff. It was couched in extravagant terms, but it
did not bear the suggestion made in this case. Coming to Lord Queensberry’s actions, the learned counsel said the jury might have doubts whether the
defendant was responsible for his actions.
Sir E. Clarke, in opening for the prosecution, said very grave issues had been raised, because the defendant in the pleadings alleged that
plaintiff had for some time solicited persons named to commit indecent offences. Certain letters addressed by the plaintiff to Lord A. Douglas were
brought to him by a man who said he was in distress, and Mr Wilde gave him £15 or £20 to pay his passage to America. Another letter came to the plaintiff
through Mr Tree, the actor. It was handed to that gentlemen who in turn gave it to the plaintiff. It was couched in extravagant germs, but it did not bear
the suggestion made in this case. Coming to Lord Queenberry's action the learned counsel said the jury might have doubts whether the defendant was
responsible for his actions.
The plaintiff was examined by Sir EDWARD CLARKE at length on the subject of letters which he did not regard as important. He
described a stormy interview in his own house with Lord Queensberry, who accused him of a nameless offence. He told defendant he did not know what the
Queensberry rules were, but the Oscar Wilde rule was to shoot at sight. In ordering the defendant out of the house, he described him as the most infamous
brute in London. There was no foundation for the suggestions in the pleadings.
Plaintiff was examined by Sir Edward Clarke at length on the subject of the letters, which he said he did not regard as important. He
described a stormy interview in his own house with Lord Queensberry, who accused him of a nameless offence. He told the defendant he did not know what the
Queensberry rules were, but the Oscar Wilde rule was to shoot at sight. In ordering the defendant out of the house he described him as "the most infamous
bruts in London." There was no foundation for the suggestions in his pleadings.
Mr. CARSON cross-examined as to the teaching in "Dorian Gray" and "Phrases and Philosophies." The plaintiff replied that he looked at
these matters from the point of view of art. The "Priest and Acolyte" was twaddle, but he had not disassociated himself from the "Cameleon," in which it
appeared the man Wood was an unemployed clerk. Plaintiff said in further cross-examination he not only gave him £15 for his passage to America, but £5
more on the occasion of a champagne lunch before his departure. He denied misconducting himself with Wood. Lord A. Douglas had asked him to befriend the
man when introducing him. Wood and plaintiff knew each other by their Christian names. A man named Allen also called on him with reference to the Douglas
letters. He knew Allen as a blackmailer, and gave him 10s to show his contempt. (Laughter.) After Allen came another person named Clyburne, and he was
kind to Clyburne by giving him the same amount. To a bookseller’s assistant he had given money on three occasions, but denied misconduct.
Mr Carson cross-examined as to the teaching in "Dorien Gray" and "Phrases and Philosophies." The plaintiff replied that he looked at these
matters from the point of view of art. "The Priest and Acolyte" was twaddle, but he had not dissociated himself from the "Chameleon," in which it
appeared. The man Wood was an unemployed clerk, the plaintiff said in further cross-examinations, and he not only gave him £15 for his passage to America,
but £5 more on the occasion of a champagne lunch before his departure. He denied misconduct with Wood. Lord A. Douglas had asked him to befriend the man
when introducing him. Wood and plaintiff knew each other by their Christian names. A man named Allen also called on him with reference to the Douglas
letters. He knew Allen as a blackmailer, and gave him 10s to show his contempt (laughter). After Allen came another person named Clyburne, and he was kind
to Clyburne by giving him the same amount. To a bookseller's assistant he had given money on three occasions, but denied misconduct.