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Original paragraph in
The Poverty Bay Herald - Friday, April 5, 1895
The Poverty Bay Herald - Friday, April 5, 1895
Most similar paragraph from
The Argus - Saturday, April 6, 1895
The Argus - Saturday, April 6, 1895
Difference
Oscar Wilde was subject to a stringent cross-examination, with the view of showing that "Dorian Grey" and some articles in a magazine
with which he is concerned are of an immoral tendency. Wilde insisted that they are merely an expression of artistic faculty. His letters to Douglas were
prose poems, extraordinary perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation. He admitted that he gave one of his alleged blackmailers £21 and lunched
with him in a private room afterwards. The case was adjourned. Defendant was admitted to bail.
In cross-examination Oscar Wilde admitted that he was acquainted with young men named Taylor, Parker, and Atkins. Taylor had
introduced him to five young men on different occasions, to whom witness had given money, but he was not aware any of them were gentlemen's servants. He
said he derived pleasure from being in the company of bright, happy people. Witness had frequented Taylor's room. He was aware that both Parker and Taylor
had once been arrested, but continued their friendship. Once he took Atkins and a youth named Price to Paris, and introduced them to another youth named
Ernest Scarp, who became acquainted with Lord Douglas when making the voyage to Australia. Wilde said he had made presents to Scarp and Mabor because he
liked them.
Mr. Wilde, in cross-examination, stated that he was acquainted with three men named Taylor, Parker, and Atkins. Taylor introduced him to
five young men on separate occasions, and he (witness) gave money to all of them. He was not aware that any of them were gentlemen's servants. His reason
for making their acquaintance was that it was a pleasure to him to be in the company of bright, happy people. He had frequently visited Taylor's room. He
was aware that both Taylor and Parker had once been arrested, but his friendship for them was not affected by that knowledge. Witness further admitted
that he once took Atkins to Paris. Taylor introduced him to a youth named Ernest Scarp, who became acquainted with Lord Alfred Douglas during a voyage to
Australia. Witness made presents to Scarp, and also to another youth named Mabor, because he liked them.
The letters read in Court proved that the Marquis of Queensberry was endeavoring to stop his son visiting Wilde. The son wired back to
his father that Wilde was a funny little man. The Marquis subsequently called at Wilde's house, where a furious scene took place. The latter denied the
charges levelled against him, and showed the Marquis the door. Wilde wrote to the Marquis complaining that his wife encouraged his son's visits. Wilde's
friendship with Lady Queensberry and her sons remained unbroken. Certain letters from the youths already named showed that the writers were
poverty-stricken, some imploring assistance or employment.