Sydney Evening News - Wednesday, October 23, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
ROUND THE WORLD.
By virtue of a special permit from the Home Secretary, Mr. R. H. Sherard, author and journalist, has been able to visit Oscar Wilde at Wandsworth Gaol. The visit lasted twenty minutes and a warder was present. Mr. Sherard states that the visiting-room is badly built, and it was difficult to hear what the other said. The convict appeared well, and was in fair spirits, and stated that he is now entitled to read, but was only allowed one book a week, which, for an omniverous reader, was insufficient. It may be here pointed out that in the report from the Departmental Committee on Prisons this year the committee state:—"We think that there should be a larger supply of books, and that reading should not be restricted to one book a week if the prisoner cares to read more." Prisoner has lately been reading Pater and Newman. Mr. Sherard added, with regard to Wilde, "I was much struck by his courage and resignation, though his punishment weighs terribly upon him. I was his only visitor, though I tried to make up the party of four allowed by the visiting ticket."
Mr. Robert Harborough Sherard, the author and journalist, was able, by special permission of the Home Secretary, to visit Oscar Wilde at Wandsworth Gaol yesterday. The visit lasted 20 minutes. A warder was present. Mr. Sherard states that the visiting-room is badly built, and it was difficult to hear what the other said. The convict appeared well, and was in fair spirits, and stated that he was now entitled to read, but was only allowed one book a week, which, for an omnivorous reader, was insufficient. The prisoner has lately been reading Pater and Newman. Mr. Sherard added with regard to Wilde "I was much struck by his courage and resignation, though his punishment weighs terribly upon him. I was his only visitor, though I tried to make up the party of four allowed by the visiting ticket."