Difference
Immense crowds attend the trial of the Marquis of Queensberry on a charge of libelling Oscar Wilde.
The evidence adduced to-day showed that Wilde paid heavy blackmail for his gushing letters to Lord Alfred Douglas (the Marquis' son), which were found in the pockets of old clothes when given away. The defence is based on revelations in these letters.
Evidence was given that Oscar Wilde paid heavy blackmail for gushing letters to Lord Alfred Douglas, oldest surviving son and heir of the Marquis, and that these letters were found in some of his old clothes when given away. The defence is based on the revelations contained in these letters.
Oscar Wilde was subjected to a stringent cross-examination. He insisted that the letters were prose poems, extraordinary, perhaps, but not justifying immoral interpretation. They were expressive of the artistic faculty.
The case was adjourned, defendant being admitted to bail.