The Australian Star - Tuesday, May 28, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
THE WILDE SCANDAL
The Prisoners Sentenced.
Sensation in London.
An Exodus of Suspects--Horror of
Honest Englishmen—-Activity of
the Police.
The charges on which Oscar Wilde and Alfred Taylor were convicted have precluded any greater sentence than two years. This full penalty was inflicted by Mr. Justice Wills, who regretted the sentence was not heavier. A London correspondent writing on the case says:—Most observers of the English character would have declared it impossible to arouse the phlegmatic conscience and emotions of the nation to such a pitch of intensity as is to-day manifesting itself in all classes. The horror, loathing and anger which the revelations of the Wilde case have caused can be compared only with one of those whirlwinds of passion which once in a few decades suddenly sweeps over the nation and by its very violence restores confidence in human nature. Not until to-day, apparently, has the country realised that the moral pestilence in the atmosphere has been doing a deadly work.
A special cable to the New York Sun from London says: Most observers of tbs English character would have declared it impossible to arouse the phlegmatic conscience and emotions of the nation to such a pitch of intensity as is today manifesting itself in all classes. The horror, loathing and anger which the revelations of the Wilde-Queensberry case have caused can be compared only with one of those whirlwinds of passion which once in a few decades suddenly sweeps over the nation and by its very violence restores confidence in human nature. Not until today, apparently, has the country realized that the moral pestilence in the atmosphere had been doing a deadly work.
NEW YORK, April 6. - A cable special from the Sun from London says: Most observers of the English character would have declared it impossible to arouse the phlegmatic conscience and emotions of the nation to such a pitch of intensity as is to-day manifesting itself in all classes. The horror, loathing and anger which the revelations in connection with the Wilde-Queensberry case have caused can be compared only with one of those whirlwinds of passion which once in a few decades suddenly sweeps over the nation and by its very violence restore confidence in human nature. Not until to-day, apparently, has the country realized that a moral pestilence in the atmosphere has been doing deadly work.
LONDON, April 6. - Most observers of English character would have declared it impossible to arouse the phlegmatic conscience and emotions of the nation to such a pitch of intensity as is to-day manifesting itself in all classes. The horror, the loathing, the anger which revelations in connection with the Wilde-Queensberry case have caused can be compared only with one of those whirlwinds of passion which once in a few decades suddenly sweep over a nation and by their very violence restore confidence in human nature. Not until today, apparently, has the country realized that a moral pestilence in the atmosphere has long been doing deadly work.
Already there are signs of popular revenge, and the reformers will be indiscriminating and unreasoning in their work. The linger of suspicion is already carrying condemnation wherever it is pointed. Many will suffer fearful social penalties who are absolutely innocent, but the general effect of the great onslaught of public opinion which has now begun will be salutary and for the purifying of the nation.
Already there are signs of popular revenge, and the reformers will be indiscriminating and unreasoning in their work. The finger of suspicion is already carrying condemnation wherever it is pointed. Many will suffer fearful social penalties who are absolutely innocent, but the general effect of the great onslaught of public opinion which has now began will be salutary and for the purifying of the nation.
Already there are signs that the popular revenge, and the reformers will be indiscriminating and unreasoning in their work. The finger of suspicion is already carrying condemnation wherever it is pointed. Many will suffer fearful social penalties who are absolutely innocent, but the general effect of the great onslaught of public opinion which has now begun will be salutary and for the purifying of the nation.
Already there are signs that the popular revenge and reform will be indiscriminating and unreasoning in their work. The finger of suspicion is already carrying condemnation wherever it is pointed. Many will suffer fearful social penalties who are absolutely innocent; but the general effect of the great onslaught of public opinion which has now begun will be salutary and for the purifying of the nation.
The finger of suspicion is already carrying condemnation wherever it is pointed, and many will suffer fearful social penalties who are absolutely innocent; but the general effect of the great onslaught of public opinion which has now begun will be salutary and for the purifying of the nation.
The best sign of all is that Englishmen are ashamed. They feel that a deep, black, national disgrace has been uncovered, and the feeling is more poignant because it is now to them. Their anger against the human reptiles who have brought this shame upon them is indescribable. It not only demands the swiftest and severest punishment, but it has been instantly turned against every art, every fad, every innovation with which those accused or suspected have been identified.
The best sign of all is that Englishmen are ashamed. It is the first time your correspondent has ever seen a manifestation of this emotion among them. They feel that a deep, black, national disgrace has been uncovered, and the feeling is the more poignant because it is new to them. Their anger against the human reptiles who have brought this shame upon them is indescribable. It not only demands the swiftest and severest punishment, but it has been instantly turned against every art, every fad and every innovation with which those accused or suspected have been identified.
The best sign of all is that Englishmen are ashamed. They feel that a deep, black, national disgrace has been uncovered, and the feeling is more poignant because it is new to them. Their anger against the human reptiles who have brought this shame upon them is indescribable. It not only demands the swiftest and severest punishment, but it has been instantly turned against every art, every fad, every innovation with which those accused or suspected have been identified. To-day's newspapers are unanimous, for instance, in pronouncing the doom of estheticism and everything connected with that cult.
The best sign of all is that Englishmen are ashamed. They feel that a deep, black national disgrace has been uncovered, and the feeling is more poignant because it is new to them. Their anger against the human reptiles who have brought this shame upon them is indescribable. It not only demands the swiftest and severest punishment, but it has been instantly turned against every art, every fad and innovation with which those accused or suspected have been identified. Today's newspapers are unanimous, for instance, in pronouncing the doom of estheticism and everything connected with that cult.
The best sign of all is that Englishmen are ashamed. It is the first time I have ever seen the manifestation of this emotion among them. They feel that a deep, black, national disgrace has been uncovered, and the feeling is the more poignant because new to them. Their anger against the human reptiles who have brought this shame upon them is indescribable. It not only demands the swiftest and severest punishment, but it has been instantly turned against every art, every fad, every innovation with which those accused or suspected have been identified. To-day's newspapers are unanimous, for instance, in pronouncing the doom of æstheticism and everything connected with that cult. Thus the Telegraph correctly voices public opinion when it says:
Regarding the methods which society, now so thoroughly aroused and exasperated, will employ for dealing with the evil, it may be said that the Government has wisely decided upon sharp, rapid and severe action. Evidence has accumulated in the last few days ample for the condemnation of several leaders of the abominable coterie, which has its ramifications throughout Europe. They will be arrested and railroaded as fast as possible to penal servitude.
Regarding the methods which society, now so thoroughly aroused and exasperated, will employ for dealing with the evil, it may be said that the Government has wisely decided upon sharp, rapid and severe action. Evidence has accumulated in the last few days ample for the condemnation of several leaders of the abominable coterie, which has its ramifications throughout Europe. They will be arrested and railroaded as fast as possible to penal servitude.
Regarding the methods which society, now so thoroughly aroused and exasperated, will employ for dealing with the evil, it may be said that the Government has wisely decided upon sharp, rapid and severe action. Evidence has accumulated in the last few days ample for the condemnation of several leaders of the abominable coterie, which has its ramifications throughout Europe. They will be arrested and railroaded as fast as possible to penal servitude.
Regarding the measures which society, now thoroughly aroused and exasperated, will employ for dealing with this evil, it may be said that the government has wisely decided upon sharp, rapid and severe action. The evidence which has accumulated in the last few days is ample for the condemnation of several leaders of this abominable coterie which has its ramifications throughout Europe. They will be arrested and railroaded as fast as possible to penal servitude.
Regarding the measures which society, now thoroughly aroused and exasperated, will employ for dealing with the evil, it may be said that the Government has wisely decided upon sharp, rapid, and severe action. Evidence has accumulated in the last few days ample for the condemnation of several leaders of the abominable coterie which has its ramifications throughout Europe. They will be arrested, and, in New York police parlance, railroaded as fast as possible to penal servitude.
Alfred Taylor, the police say, has long been known as the leader of this infamous band. Like others of his class, the development of his mania has followed the sudden accession of wealth and luxury. His father, who was prominent in the city, and was once close to the Lord Mayor's chair, left him an immense fortune, which he used to gratify every physical appetite.
The Government promptly began by arresting Alfred Taylor, whom the police say has long been known as the leader of this infamous band. Like others of his class the development of his mania has followed the sudden accession of wealth and luxury. His father, who was prominent in the city, and was once close to the Lord Mayor's chair, left him an immense fortune, which he need to gratify every physical appetite.
The Government promptly began to-day by arresting Alfred Taylor, whom the police say has long been known as the leader of this infamous band. Like others of his class the development of his mania has followed sudden accession of wealth and luxury. His father, who was prominent in the city and was once close to the Lord Mayor’s chair, left him an immense fortune, which he used to gratify every physical appetite.
He spent £60,000 furnishing his house, which has been the headquarters of this class of sensualists. The victims of himself and his crew were dazzled by the oriental luxuries of the place.
The police have reason to believe that the exposure is causing a panic-stricken exodus of many people from England, such as followed the Cleveland-street scandal a few years ago. There are some who are not unknown in society among them. The effect of the Wilde case has been intensified in the public mind by the trial of Lord Russell's matrimonial suit at the same time. The same charge is at the basis of this case, and if it had not been overshadowed by the Wilde-Queensberry scandal it would have made a great sensation.
The police have reason to believe that this exposure is already causing a panic stricken exodus of many people from England, such as followed the Cleveland street scandal a few years ago. There are some who are not known in society among them. The effect of the Wilde case has been intensified in the public mind by the trial of Lord Russell's matrimonial suit at the same time. The same charge is at the basis of this case, and if it had not been overshadowed by the Wilde-Queensberry scandal it would have made a great sensation.
The police have reason to believe that to-day's exposure is already causing a panic-stricken exodus of many persons from England, such as followed the Cleveland-street scandal a few years ago. There are some who are not unknown in society among them. The effect of the Wilde case has been intensified in the public mind by the trial of Lord Russell's matrimonial suit at the same time. The same charge is at the basis of this case, and if it were not overshadowed by the Wilde-Queensberry scandal it would have made a great sensation.
It has been learned that immediately after her husband was arrested Mrs. Wilde took her children and her belongings from the Wilde residence on Tite-street and instructed her lawyer to institute proceedings for a divorce. The proceedings will hinge somewhat on the decision given in the criminal proceedings against Wilde. Willie, Oscar's brother, formerly the husband of Mrs. Frank Leslie, who was divorced from him, had to raise the money to pay Oscar's lawyers for their services. Willie and Oscar have not been on friendly terms for a long time. When the former visited the Old Bailey to inform his brother that the money had been paid to Sir Edward Clark, Oscar's counsel, Oscar said: "Don't come to see me. I don't want to see my people."
It has been learned that immediately after her husband was arrested Mrs. Wilde took her children and her belongings from the Wilde residence on Tite street and instructed her lawyer to institute proceedings for a divorce. The proceedings will hinge somewhat on the decision given in the present criminal proceedings against Wilde. Willie, Oscar's brother, formerly the husband of Mrs. Frank Leslie, who was divorced from him, had to raise the money last week to pay Oscar’s lawyers for their services. Willie and Oscar have not been on friendly terms for a long time. When the former visited the Old Bailey on Friday to inform his brother that the money had been paid to Sir Edward Clarke, Oscar’s counsel, Oscar said: "Don't come to see me. I don't wish to see my people."
LONDON, April 29. - It has been learned that immediately after her husband's arrest, Mrs. Wilde took her children and her belongings from the Wilde residence on Tite street and instructed her lawyers to institute proceedings for a divorce. The proceedings will hinge somewhat on the decision given in the criminal proceedings against Wilde. Willie, Oscar's brother, formerly the husband of Mrs. Frank Leslie, who was divorced from him, had to raise the money last week to pay Oscar’s lawyers for their services. Willie and Oscar have not been on friendly terms for a long time. When the former visited the Old Bailey on Friday to inform his brother that the money had been paid to Sir Edward Clarke, Oscar’s council, Oscar said: "Don't come to see me. I do not wish to see my people."
LONDON, April 29. - It has been learned that immediately after her husband was arrested Mrs. Oscar Wilde took her children and her belongings from Willie’s residence, on Tite street, and instructed her lawyer to institute proceedings for divorce. The proceedings will hinge somewhat on the present criminal proceedings against Wilde. Willie Wilde, Oscar’s brother, formerly the husband of Mrs. Frank Leslie, who divorced him, had to raise money last week to pay Oscar’s lawyers for their services. Willie and Oscar have not been on friendly terms for a long time. When the former visited the Old Bailey on Friday to inform his brother that the money had been paid to Sir Edward Clarke, Oscar’s counsel, Oscar said:
It has been learned that immediately after her husband was arrested Mrs. Wilde took her children and her belongings from the Wilde residence on Tite street, and instructed her lawyer to institute proceedings for a divorce. Oscar’s brother, formerly the husband of Mrs. Frank Leslie, who discarded him, had to raise the money last week to pay Oscar’s lawyers for their services. When the former visited the Old Bailey to inform his brother that the money had been paid to Sir Edward Clarke, counsel, Oscar said : "Don't come to see me ; I don't wish to see my people."