London Star - Thursday, April 4, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
OSCAR WILDE,
CROSS-EXAMINED BY MR. CARSON,
INDIGNANTLY DENIES LORD QUEENSBERRY'S CHARGES.
Speaks of Perfumed Rooms and Cosy Tea Parties, of Trips to Paris, of Costly Presents and Dinners where the Wine was not Stinted.
If the Wilde-Queensberry case does no other good it will at least have encouraged a very large number of people in the healthy habit of early rising. Before the work of the day actually commenced this morning there were those who envied the Marquess his comfortable quarters in the dock. The crowd was mainly composed of people of no importance, and was exclusively male. A doubtless distinguished, but unrecognisable Mongolian visitor was permitted to sit on the bench at the judge's right hand, and on his left was an unusually large detachment of aldermen. Oscar slipped in quietly by a side door, and pending the arrival of his legal representatives sat admiring his fleshy hands. Presently Mr. Charles Mathews, his junior counsel, arrived, and the two put their heads together for an earnest whispered consultation. The jury meanwhile arrived themselves with the morning papers. There was a moment's sensation, and much craning of necks and goggling of inquisitive eyes when a whisper went round that
LORD ALFRED DOUGLAS WAS IN COURT.
Simultaneously the noble defendant, clad in a dark blue overcoat with velvet collar, in place of the rusty black garment of yesterday, was admitted to the dock, and sat there quietly till Mr. Justice Collins arrived, when he returned his old pose, with arms folded on the dock front.
Punctually at half-past ten Oscar was recalled to the witness-box. Bland and attentive, his hands limply crossed and drooping, or clasped round his brown suède gloves, he awaited the resumption of Mr. Carson's cross-examination. First the Irish Q. C. reverted to the prosecutor's acquaintance with Taylor of the missing letters. Taylor lived at 13, Little College-st., and Oscar had visited him there and at chambers in the Adelphi, besides having him at his own house at Tite-st. The Little-College-st. establishment did not strike him as too elaborate or luxurious. They were " pretty room, " displaying more taste then is common.
Mr. Carson: He never admitted any daylight into the rooms, did he?
Witness: Oh yes.
Were they not always lighted either with candles or gas? - No, I think not.
Then it would not be true to suggest that there were double curtains to the rooms and the daylight was never admitted? - Most untrue. I should think.
Were the rooms strongly perfumed? - I don't know how you mean, now. Perfume? Yes;
Were the rooms strongly perfumed ? — I don't know what you mean. He used to burn perfumes just as I do in my rooms.
WE USED TO BURN PERFUME.
He was in the habit of burning perfume as I am in my rooms.
Did you see Wood there at tea? - Only on the one occasion.
Did you see Sidney Mavor, a friend of yours, there? - Yes.
How old is he? - I should think 25 or 26.
Is he still a friend of yours? - I have not seen him for, I should think, a year. I have not the remotest idea where he is now.
Do you know where he has gone? - I don't know at all.
Do you know he has disappeared within the last week? - No. Taylor wrote him a letter asking him to call at his rooms, but I have not seen him.
Oscar rather resented the suggestion that he had been trying to find Mavor. No one waited on them when they were at tea at Taylor's. He was quite sure he had never seen Taylor in a lady's costume, and it was not true that in 1892 and 1893 he was constantly communicating with Taylor by telegram.
Was he a literary man? - I have never seen any creative work of his. He had great taste and intelligence, and was brought up at a good English public school.
It was another case, Oscar added, of the young men enjoying a literary treat in his conversation.
THEY HAD DINED TOGETHER,
at the Florence, in Rupert-st. and at the Solferino, always in private rooms. On 7 March, 1893 he telegraphed to Taylor to meet him at the Savoy. That was for the purpose of discussing Wood's intention of blackmailing Oscar in regard to the letters stolen from Lord Alfred Douglas. There was another telegram inviting Taylor to join Oscar and "Fred" at a little dinner. "Fred was a young man to whom I was introduced by a gentleman whose name I do not wish to have introduced into the case."
What was his other name? - Atkins.
You were very familiar with him? - I don't know what you mean. I liked him.
You were very familiar with him?— What do you mean by familiar? I liked him.
You were very familiar with him ? — What do you mean by being familiar ? I liked him.
Oscar denied that he had ever known that Taylor was being watched by the police, but he knew Taylor and a man named Parker were arrested in a raid made last year on a house in Fitzroy-sq. He knew Parker. He had met him at Chapel-st.
Was not Taylor notorious for introducing young men to older men? - I never heard that in my life.
Was not Taylor notorious for introducing young men to older men? - I have never heard that in my life.
Was not Tayler notorious for introducing young men to older men ? — No ; I have never beard that in my life. He has introduced young men to me.
How many young men did he introduce to you - young men with whom you afterwards became intimate? - You mean friendly. I should think about five.
How many young men did he introduce to you--young men with whom you afterwards became intimate? - You mean friendly. I should think about five.
Were they all about 20 years of age? - Twenty to 22. I liked the society of young men.
Were they all about 20 years of age ?— Twenty or 22. I like the society of young men.
Were they all about twenty years of age? - Twenty to twenty-two. I liked the society of young men.
Were those young men always about 20 years of age?—Twenty or 22. I like the society of young men.
Lord Queensberry
BROKE INTO A BROAD GRIN
at this, and for a moment relaxed his fixed stare at the witness to gaze round the court as though inviting attention to this answer.
at this and for a moment relaxed his fixed stare at the witness to gaze round the court, as though inviting attention to this answer.
Oscar continued that he had given money or presents to all five of these young men, none of whom appeared to have any employment or means. He said he had no knowledge that Charles Parker was a gentleman's servant out of employ.
Oscar continued that he had given money or presents to all five of these young men, none of whom appeared to have any employment or means. He said he had no knowledge that Charles Parker was a gentleman's servant also out of employ.
If he had been such, would you have been friendly with him? - I would be friendly with any human being that I liked.
If you had known it would you have been friendly with him?—I would be friendly with any human being I liked. (Laughter.)
If you had known it would you have been friendly with him ? I would be friendly with any human being I liked (laughter).
If you had known it would you have been friendly with him? I would be friendly with any human being I liked (laughter).
How old is he? - I do not know. (Oscar became petulant.) I do not keep the census. He may have been 15, 20, 25. I never asked him.
Was he a literary man? - Oh, no !
Was he an educated man? - Culture was not his strong point. (Laughter.)
Was he an educated man? Culture was not his strong point (laughter).
Was he an educated man ? — Culture was not his strong point (laughter).
Was he an educated man? - Culture was not his strong point. (Laughter.)
Was he a literary man?—Witness (airily): Culture was not his strong point (Laughter.)
Was he an artist or a literary man? — Culture was not his strong point, replied Oscar, lightly.
There was a little dinner at Kettner's in Soho, to which Oscar invited Taylor on his birthday, to bring any friends he liked. He brought Charlie Parker and his brother.
There was a little dinner at Kettner's in Soho, to which Oscar invited Taylor on his birthday, to bring any friends he liked. He brought Charlie Parker and his brother.
Did you know one was a gentleman's valet and the other a gentleman's groom? - I did not know nor should I have cared, sir.
Did you know one was a gentleman's valet and the other a gentleman's groom? - I did not know nor should I have cared, sir.
Did you know that one was a gentleman's valet and the other a gentleman's groom?—I did not know it nor should I have cared. I do not care "tuppence" for social position.
Did you know that one was a gentleman's valet and the other a gentleman's groom?--I did not know it, nor should I have cared, "I do not care "tuppence" for social position.
Did you know that one was a gentleman's valet and the other a gentleman's groom?--I did not know it nor should I have cared, I do not care "tuppence" for social position.
Did you know that one was a gentleman's valet and the other a gentleman's groom ? — I did not know it, and if I had I should not have cared. I do not care twopence about social position.
What pleasure had you in the company of men like them? - The pleasure of being with those who are
What pleasure had you in the company of men like them? - The pleasure of being with those who are
YOUNG, BRIGHT, HAPPY, FAIR.
I don't like the sensible, and I don't like the old. I do-not-like-either. (Oscar became almost emphatic.)
I don't like the sensible and I don't like the old. I do-not-like-either. (Oscar became almost emphatic.)
It was a good dinner, they had whatever they wanted, Kettner's best fare and Kettner's best wine.
It was a good dinner; they had whatever they wanted--Kettner's best fare and Kettner's best wine.
Did you give them an intellectual treat? - They seemed deeply interested.
Did you give them an intellectual treat? - They seemed deeply impressed.
Did you give them an intellectual treat?—They seemed deeply impressed. (Laughter.)
Did you give them an intellectual treat?—They seemed deeply impressed. (Much laughter.)
Did you give them an intellectual treat? They seemed deeply impressed (much laughter).
Did you give them an intellectual treat? They seemed deeply impressed (much laughter).
Did you give them also an intellectual treat ? — They were deeply impressed (laughter).
You did not stint them? - What gentleman would stint his guests.
What gentleman would stint a valet? - I strongly object to the description.
What gentleman would stint a valet? - I strongly object to the description.
No, what gentleman would stint a valet—I strongly object to that sort of question.
Oscar denied that after dinner he said of Charlie Parker, "This is the boy for me," or that they went together to the Savoy Hotel, or that any kind of impropriety occurred. He denied that he gave the lad £2, or that he forced champagne or whisky and soda upon him. "At no time," he said, "did Parker come to the Savoy." They called one another "Charlie" and "Oscar." "I like those I like to call me 'Oscar,'" the prosecutor said. A week later there was another little dinner at Kettner's. It did not appear that it was anybody's birthday this time and "Charlie" came alone.
Did you ask Taylor what those young men were? - It was sufficient for me that they were friends of Taylor's Parker himself told me he was anxious
TO GO ON THE STAGE.
No, Taylor did not tell me he had met them in the St. James's Restaurant. Parker came to Tite-st. to tea five or six times, and also visited Oscar in his rooms at St. James's-place.
What was he doing there? - Visiting me. I liked his society.
Parker, like the others, received presents, and asked for money when he was hard up. Oscar gave him £3.
All at once? - Yes! - all-at-once.
What was he doing? - You ask me what a young man does when he comes to tea! He has his tea, he smokes cigarettes, and I hope he enjoys himself.
What was there in common between you and this young man? - Well, I will tell you. I delight in the society of those much younger than myself. I like those who may be called idle and careless. I recognise no social distinctions at all of any kind. The mere fact is that youth is so wonderful I would sooner talk to a young man for half an hour than even be cross-examined in court. (Laughter.) Yes, I would talk to street arab with pleasure.
What was there in common between you and Parker? - Well, I will tell you I delight in the society of those much younger than myself. I like those who may be called idle and careless. I recognise no social distinctions at all of any kind. The mere fact is that youth is so wonderful I would sooner talk to a young man for half an hour than even be cross-examined in court. (Laughter.) Yes, I would talk to a street arab with pleasure.
What was there in common between you and a young man in the position of this young man ?—Well, I will tell you. I delight in the society of men younger than myself. I like those who may be glad, young, and careless. I recognise no social distinctions of any kind between them and myself, and to me the mere fact of youth is so wonderful that I would sooner talk to a young man for half an hour than be cross-examined in Court even. (Laughter.)
Mr. Carson: What was there in common between you and these young men? Well, I will tell you. I like the society of people much younger than myself. I recognise no social distinctions at all. The mere effect of youth is so wonderful that I would sooner talk with a young man for half an hour than even be cross-examined in court. (Laughter.)
Mr Carson—What was there in common between you and these young men?—Well, I will tell you. I like the society of people much younger than myself. I recgonize no social distinctions at all. The mere effect of youth is so wonderful that I would sooner talk with a young man for half an hour than ever be cross-examined in court (laughter).
Mr Carson--What was there in common between you and these young men?--Well, I will tell you. I like the society of people much younger than myself. I recognize no social distinctions at all. The mere effect of youth is so wonderful that I would sooner talk with a young man for half an hour than ever been cross-examined in court (laughter).
Mr Carson--What was there in common between you and these young men?--Well, I will tell you. I like the society of people much younger than myself. I recognize no social distinction at all. The mere effect of youth is so wonderful that I would sooner talk with a young man for half an hour then ever be cross-examined in court (laughter).
Sir Edward Clarke so little liked the tone of the cross-examination that he handed up to the judge a letter of Parker's, to show that he was not so illiterate as Mr. Carson dryly reported that the jury would presently have an opportunity of seeing Parker himself.
Oscar denied that he had visited Parker at 60. Park-walk, Chelsea, st. half-past twelve at night. He knew where Park-walk was, but it was not near Tite-st. - It was "quite far away."
How far to walk? -
AH! I NEVER WALK.
How long to drive? - I have no idea.
Oscar did not know what had become of Parker. He had heard that he had enlisted as a private in the Army. He read of the arrest of Taylor and Parker in the newspapers in August of last year.
Did you read that they were in the company of several men in women's clothes? - Oscar "only knew what he had read in papers," but his impression was that the men in women's clothes - music hall singers--were arrested outside. He was very much distressed at the intelligence - "but the magistrate seems to have taken a different view, for he dismissed the case."
Mr. Carson read out a list of the accused in the Fitzroy-sq. raid, and asked, "Did you never hear of Preston in connection with the Cleveland-st. scandals?"
No, said Oscar, he had never heard of him, and he did not know that another man arrested at this time was a man of notoriously evil life. The crowd made no difference in his living for Taylor and Parker, and Taylor was at his house as recently as Tuesday last.
When did you first know Freddy Atkins? - In November, 1892.
What is he? - He was in the employ of a firm of bookmakers.
You did not come in contact with him through
MAKING BETS?
- Oh, no !
How old was he? - I should think about 19 or 20 - a young man.
Where were you introduced? - In the rooms of the gentleman whose name you handed up to me yesterday.
Tell me the address? - They were in rooms off Regent-st. - I think in Margaret-st. - I can't remember the number.
Was anyone else present? - Yes, I think there were several people there.
Two days afterwards there was a dinner at Kettner's, quite a small party, and they became friendly enough to call one another "Oscar" and "Freddie."
You say he was in the employ of a bookmaker? - Yes, and he apologised for neglecting his business.
Did he seem an idle kind of fellow? - Yes! Oh, yes! He seemed idle. With ambition to go to the music-hall stage.
Did he seem to you to be an idle kind of fellow?—Oh yes, he seemed to have the charm of idleness, with an ambition to go on the music-hall stage.
Did you discuss literature with him? - No! oh, no! I would not allow that! The art of the music hall was as far a he had got.
Did you ask him to go to Paris with you? - No. Oscar had to enter into a long explanation to show that although he did take " Freddie " to Paris, the suggestion came from
THE MYSTERIOUS GENTLEMAN
whose name was handed up in writing yesterday. It was not an Oscar's secretary that he went--the suggestion was childish! They shared the same rooms at 23, Boulevard des Capucines - three rooms on suite, two of which were bedrooms. They lunched at the Café Julian.
After lunch did you suggest to him to have his hair curled? - No, I told him I thought it would be very unbecoming. He suggested it. Did he get his hair curled? - I don't think so. I should have been very angry if he had. (Laughter.)
Annoyed at your guest-getting his hair curled? - I should have thought it very silly.
They afterwards dined together, and Mr. Carson suggested that it was a good dinner with plenty of wine. Oscar was vexed and hurt. He hoped he should never stint a guest of wine, "but if you ask me whether I plied him with wine such a suggestion is monstrous. I won't have it!"
Mr. Carson said he had not made the "monstrous" suggestion. "Ah, but you have before, you have before! Yes"! Oscar reproached him. After dinner he gave the lad a guinea to go to the Moulin Rouge - "Moolong Rooje," as Mr. Carson called it. A laugh went round, and he apologised to the Court." I believe
I PRONOUNCED IT WRONG,"
he said: 'tis the "Moolang Ruge."
Mr. Wilde continued that any suggestion that impropriety occurred during the Paris trip would be an infamous lie. He denied that he asked Atkins to say nothing about the trip to Paris. At the time Freddy was living in Pimlico. He now lives at 25, Osnaburgh-st. He gave Freedy £3 15s. to pay for his first song. "He told me," said Oscar, "that the poets who write for the music-hall stage never take less."
Mr. Carson passed on to the case of another young man, Ernest Scarth, who was also about 20 years of age.
Did you know he, too, had been a valet?
- No.
Was he well educated? - Education depends on what you understand by it. He was a pleasant, nice, good fellow.
It was again Taylor who effected the introduction. He prefaced it by describing Scarth as having met Lord Douglas of Hawick on board ship coming from Australia. Oscar straightway invited both to dine with him. He denied indignantly that he had kissed Scarth or been guilty of improper conduct.
Why did you ask him to dinner? - Because I am very good-natured.
Did you give him any presents? - Oh, yes; I gave him a cigarette case. It is my custom to
PRESENT CIGARETTE CASES.
Returning to the case of Sindey Maher, Mr. Carson found that he was introduced to Oscar by the Nameless Gentleman at Margaret-st. Oscar gave him a cigarette case which cost £4 11s. 5d., and invited him to stay with him at the hotel in Albemarle-st. It was simply for companionship.
Returning to the case of Sidney Mavor, Mr. Carson found that he was introduced to Oscar by a gentleman at Margaret-street. Oscar gave him a cigarette case which cost £4 11s. 6d., and invited him to stay with him at the hotel in Albemarle-street. It was simply for companionship.
He did not stay all night for companionship, did he? - It was for the pleasure of his company during the evening, and we breakfasted together next morning. I like to have people staying with me. It amused and pleased him that I should ask him to be my guest - a very nice charming fellow.
He did not stay all night for companionship, did he? It was for the pleasure of his company during the evening, and we breakfasted together next morning. I like to have people staying with me. It amused and pleased him that I should ask him to be my guest-a very nice, charming fellow.
Walter Granger, a lad of 18, servant in the rooms of Lord Alfred Douglas at High-st., Oxford, was the next subject of inquiry, and for the first time Oscar lost his head and made a tactical blunder. "Have you ever kissed this boy?" asked Mr. Carson, and the witness replied, "Oh no! certainly not. A peculiarly plain boy!"
Mr. Carson pounced on this expression instantly, and asked if it was only because the boy was ugly he was not kissed.
For the first time Oscar seemed at a loss and shuffled. He replied, "No, because it seems to me such an intense insult on your part. It seems ridiculous to imagine that any such thing could have occurred."
Mr. Carson repeated. "Then why did you mention his ugliness?"
"I should not like to kiss a boy, " Oscar replied. " Am I to be cross-examined as to the reason I should not like to kiss a boy?"
Mr. Carson, with irritating (**)ration, repeated, "Why mention his ugliness?"
Oscar became positively angry. " Because you sting me by insolent questions!" he said. Then added, "Calmly, I say you sting me, and try to unnerve me in every way, and I say things flippantly that I would not say seriously."
Then that was a flippant answer? - Oh, that, anything ! Yes. I should my certainly
A FLIPPANT ANSWER.
Mr. Carson was satisfied, and passed on to occurrences at the Savoy Hotel. Oscar had been under the treatment of a masseur named Midgen at the hotel, but he denied that he had taken boys there.
At half-past twelve the cross-examination came to a somewhat sudden termination, and Sir Edward Clarke rose to re-examine.
First sir Edward read three letters from Lord Queensberry to Lord Alfred Douglas and other members of his family which preceded the alleged libel. The first was a letter dated Sunday, 1 April, from Carter's Hotel, Albemarle-st. It began, " Alfred,--it is extremely painful to me to have to write to you in the terms I must." and said Lord Alfred must understand that no answers in writing would be received, or if received would be burnt unread. "After your previous hysterically impertinent one, I refuse to be annoyed with such, and must ask you, if you have anything to say to me to come here and say it in person." His lordship asked if he was to understand that his son, having
First Sir Edward read three letters from Lord Queensberry to Lord Alfred Douglas and other members of his family which preceded the alleged libel. The first was a letter dated Sunday, April 1, from Carter's Hotel, Albemarle-street. It began, "Alfred, - It is extremely painful to me to have to write to you in the terms I must," and said Lord Alfred must understand that no answers in writing would be received, or if received would be burnt unread. "After your previous hysterically impertinent one, I refuse to be annoyed with such, and must ask you, if you have anything to say to me, to come here and say it in person." His Lordship asked if he was to understand that his son, having
Letters from Lord Queensberry to Lord Alfred Douglas were read in Court. The first was a letter dated Sunday, 1st April, from Carter's Hotel, Albemarle-street. It began, "Alfred,—It is extremely painful to me to have to write to you in the terms I must," and said Lord Alfred must understand that no answers in writing would be received, or if received would be burnt unread. "After your previous hysterically impertinent one, I refuse to be annoyed with such, and must ask you, if you have anything to say to me, to come here and say it in person." His lordship, after asking if he was to understand that his son, having left Oxford in disgrace, and fallen away from his intention to enter the Civil Service or the Foreign Office, intended to take up any serious line of life, proceeded:—
Letters from Lord Queensberry to Lord Alfred Douglas were read in court. The first was a letter dated Sunday, 1st April, from Carter's Hotel, Albemarle-street. It began, "Alfred, — It is extremely painful to me to have to write to you in the terms I must," and said Lord Alfred must understand that no answers in writing would be received, or if received would be burnt unread. " After your previous hysterically impertinent one, I refuse to be annoyed with such, and must ask you, if you have anything to say to me, to come here and say it in person." His lordship, after asking if he was to understand that his son, having left Oxford in disgrace, and fallen away from his intention to enter the Civil Service or the Foreign Office, intended to take up any other serious line of life, proceeded: —
LEFT OXFORD IN DISGRACE,
and fallen away from his intention to enter the Civil Service or the Foreign Office, intended to take up any other serious line of life, as "I decline to supply you with funds to loaf and loll. You are preparing a wretched future for yourself, and it would be (***) and wrong of me to encourage you in this. Secondly, I come to the more painful part of this letter--your infamous intimacy with this man Wilde must cease, or I will disown you and stop all supplies.... I am not going to analyze this intimacy and I make no accusations; but, to my mind, to pose as a thing is as bad as to be the real thing. With my own eyes I saw you both in the most loathsome and disgusting relationship as expressed by your manner and expression. Never in my experience have I ever seen such a sight as that in your horrible features. . . . I hear, on good authority, that his wife is going to divorce him on grounds of unnatural crimes. Is this right, and if so do you know of it, going about as you do with him? If I thought the actual thing was true, and it becomes public property, I should be quite justified in
and fallen away from his intention to enter the Civil Service or the Foreign Office, intended to take up any serious line of life, as "I decline to supply you with finds to loaf and loll. You are preparing a wretched future for yourself, and it would be cruel and wrong of me to encourage you in this. Secondly, I come to the more painful part of this letter--your infamous intimacy with this man Wilde must cease, or I will disown you and stop all supplies .... I am not going to analyze this intimacy and I make no accusations; but, to my mind, to pose as a thing is as bad as to be the real thing. With my own eyes I saw you both in the most loathsome and disgusting relationship as expressed by your manner and expression. Never in my experience have I ever seen such a sight as that in your horrible features. No wonder people are talking as they are. I hear, on good authority, that his wife is petitioning to divorce him for . . . and other crimes." I further stated: "If I thought the actual thing was true, and it becomes public property, I should be quite justified in shooting him at sight. These Christian English cowards, and men, as they call themselves, want waking up." This letter was signed, "Your disgusted and so-called father, QUEENSBERRY."
I decline to supply you with the funds to loaf and loll. You are preparing a wretched future for yourself, and it would be cruel and wrong of me to encourage you in this. Secondly, I come to the more painful part of this letter—your infamous intimacy with this man Wilde must cease, or I will disown you and stop all supplies. I am not going to analyse this intimacy, and I make no accusations, but to my mind to pose as a thing is as bad as to be the real thing. I saw you from my own window only yesterday with this man. It simply turned my blood cold. Never in my human experience have I seen such a sight as I saw in your horrible faces. . . . I hear on good authority that his wife is going to divorce him on grounds of unnatural crimes. Is this right, and if so do you know of it, going about as you do with him? If I thought the thing was true and it becomes public property, I should be quite justified in shooting him at sight.—Your disgusted so-called father, Queensberry.
I decline to supply you with funds to loaf and loll. You are preparing a wretched future for yourself, and it would be cruel and wrong of me to encourage you in this. Secondly, I come to the more painful part of this letter — your infamous intimacy with this man Wilde must cease, or I will disown you and stop all supplies...I'm not going to analyse this intimacy, and I make no accusations, but to my mind to pose as a thing is as bad as to be the real thing. I saw you from my own window only yesterday with this man. It simply turned my blood cold. Never in my human experience have I seen such a sight as I saw in your horrible faces...I hear on good authority that his wife is going to divorce him on grounds of unnatural crimes. Is this right, and if so do you know of it, going about as you do with him? If I thought the thing was true and it becomes public property, I should be quite justified in shooting him at sight. — Your disgusted so-called father, QUEENSBERRY.
SHOOTING HIM AT SIGHT
- Your disgusted and so-called father, QUEENSBERRY."
In reply to this, Lord Alfred telegraphed:- "To Lord Queensberry, Carter's Hotel, Albemarle-street, - What a funny little man you are."
In reply to this, Lord Alfred telegraphed: "To Lord Queensberry, Carter's Hotel, Albemarle-street, - What a funny little man you are."
To Lord Queensberry, Carter's Hotel, Albemarle-street. — What a funny little man you are.
To Lord Queensberry, Carter's Hotel, Albemarle-street.—What a funny little man you are.
Lord Queensberry's retort was another letter beginning:- "To Lord Alfred Douglas, - You impertinent young jackanapes! I request you will not send me such messages through the telegraph. If you come to me with any of your impertinence, I shall give you the thrashing you richly deserve. The only excuse for you is that you must be crazy. I heard from a man who was at Oxford with you that this was your reputation there. It accounts a good deal for what has happened. If I catch you with that man again, I will make a public scandal in a way you little dream of. Unless it ceases, I shall carry out my threat and stop all supplies. So you know what to expect. - Queensberry."
To Lord Alfred Douglas, — You impertinent young jackanapes! I request you will not send me such messages through the telegraph. If you come to me with any of your impertinences I will give you the thrashing you so richly deserve. The only excuse for you is that you must be crazy. I heard from a man who was at Oxford with you that this was your reputation there. It accounts a good deal for what has happened. If I catch you with that man again I will make a public scandal in a way you little dream of. Unless it ceases, I shall carry out my threat and stop all supplies. So you know what to expect. —QUEENSBERRY.
To Lord Alfred Douglas,—You impertinent young jackanapes. I request you will not send me such messages through the telegraph. If you come to me with any of your impertinences I will give you the thrashing you so richly deserve. The only excuse for you is that you must be crazy. I heard from a man who was at Oxford with you that this was your reputation there. It accounts a good deal for what has happened. If I catch you with that man again I will make a public scandal in a way you little dream of. Unless it ceases, I shall carry out my threat and stop all supplies. So you know what to expect.—Queensbury.
The next letter was written by Lord Queensberry from Skindles to Mr. Alfred Montgomery, the
FATHER OF LORD QUEENSBERRY
divorced. Among much that was incoherent, Lord Queensberry said: "Your daughter is the person who is supporting my son to defy me. I have had a very quibbling, prevaricating message from her saying the boy denied having been to the Savoy for the last year. Why send it at all unless he denies ever having stayed at the Savoy at all with Oscar Wilde? As a fact he did do so, and there has been a hideous scandal. I was told they were warned off. This hideous scandal has been going on for years. I don't want to make out a case against my son, nothing of the kind, but I have made out a case against Oscar Wilde. If I were quite certain of the actual thing I would shoot the fellow at sight. But I am only accusing him of posing, and for that I will chastise him and mark him. I don't believe Wilde will now dare to defy me. He plainly showed the white feather the other day, the damned cur and coward! He is no son of mine. His mother may support him, but she shall not do it in London and with this going on. The Rosebery-Gladstone-Royal insult which came to me through my other son came to me through her. I thought it was you, but it appears it was not. . . . I saw Drumlanrig here on the river last night, which much upset me.
Your daughter is the person who is supporting my son to defy me. I have had a quibbling, prevaricating message from her saying the boy denied having been to the Savoy for the last year. Why send it at all unless he denies ever having stayed at the Savoy at all with Oscar Wilde? As a fact he did do so, and there has been a hideous scandal. I was told they were warned off. This hideous scandal has been going on for years. I don't want to make out a case against my son, nothing of the kind, but I have made out a case against Oscar Wilde. If I were quite certain of the actual thing I would shoot the fellow at sight. But I am only accusing him of posing, and for that I will chastise him and mark him. I don't believe Wilde will now dare to defy me. He plainly showed the white feather the other day, the damned cur and coward! He is no son of mine. His mother may support him, but she shall not do it in London and with this going on. The Rosebery-Gladstone-Royal insult which came to me through my other son came to me through her. I thought it was you, but it appears it was not... I saw Drumlanrig here on the river last night, which much upset me. Rosebery not only insulted me by lying to the Queen, which she knows, and makes her as bad as him, but Gladstone also has made a lifelong quarrel between my son and me.
Your daughter is the person who is supporting my son to defy me. I have had a a quibbling, prevaricating message from her saying the boy denied having been in the Savoy for the last year. Why send it at all unless he denies ever having stayed at the Savoy at all with Oscar Wilde? As a fact he did do so, and there has been a hideous scandal. I was told they were warned off. The hideous scandal has been going on for years. I don't want to make out a case against my son, nothing of the kind, but I have made out a case against Oscar Wilde. If I were quite certain of the actual thing I would shoo the fellow at sight. But I am only accusing him of posing, and for that I will chastise and mark him. I don't believe Wilde, will now dare to defy me. He plainly showed the white feather the other day, the damned cur and coward. He is no son of mine. His mother may support him, but she shall not do it in London and with his going on The Rosebery-Gladstone-Royal insult which came to me through my other son came to me through her. I thought it was you, but it appears it was not. . . . I saw Drumlanrig here on the river last night, which much upset me. Rosebery not only insulted me by lying to the Queen, which she knows, and makes her as bad as him, but Gladstone also has made a life-long quarrel between my son and me.
ROSEBERY NOT ONLY INSULTED
me by lying to the Queen, which she knows, and makes her as bad as him, but Gladstone also has made a lifelong quarrel between my son and me."
The last letter was written from Scotland to Lord Alfred Douglas. If Lord Alfred really were his son, Lord Queensberry wrote, how right he had been to face any outcry or ignominy rather than run the risk of bringing any more such creatures into the world! When Lord Alfred was quite a baby Lord Queensberry had looked upon him in his cradle and wept the bitterest tears a man could shed at thinking he had brought such a creature into the world. In this Christian country it was a wise father who knew his own son. there was madness on the mother's side, and few families in this Christian country were without it if they could be looked into. "I make allowances; I think you are demented; and I am very sorry for you. No wonder you have
The last letter was written from Scotland to Lord Alfred Douglas. If Lord Alfred really were his son, Lord Queensberry wrote, how right he had been to face any outcry or ignominy rather than run the risk of bringing any more such creatures into the world. When Lord Alfred was quite a baby Lord Queensberry had looked upon him in his cradle and wept the bitterest tears a man could shed at thinking he had brought such a creature into the world. In this Christian country it was a wise father who knew his own son. There was madness on the mother's side, and few families in this Christian country were without it if they could be looked into. "I make allowances; I think you are demented, and I am very sorry for you. No wonder you have fallen a prey to that horrible brute. You must gang your ain gait."
The last letter was written from Scotland to Lord Alfred Douglas. If Lord Alfred really were his son, Lord Queensberry wrote, how right he had been to face any outcry or ignominy rather than run the risk of bringing any more such creatures into the world. When Lord Alfred was quite a baby Lord Queensberry had looked upon him in his cradle and wept the bitterest tears a man could shed at thinking he had brought such a creature into the world. In this Christian country it was a wise father who knew his own son. There was madness on the mother's side, and few families in this Christian country were without it if they could be looked into. "I make allowances; I think you are demented, and I am very sorry for you. No wonder you have fallen a prey to that horrible brute. You must gang your ain gait."
FALLEN A PREY
to that horrible brute. You must gang your ain gait."
Mr. Wilde first denied in emphatic terms that there was any truth in the story that his wife was seeking a divorce. He added that the letters which had just been read were brought to his knowledge before the libel proceedings were commenced, but, having regard to their character, Mr. Wilde thought it right to entirely disregard the wishes contained in them.
Sir Edward Clarke next spent a lot of time in reading, and then several long extracts from "Dorian Grey," as a set-off to what had been read yesterday.
In continued re-examination by Sir E. Clarke, Mr. Wilde said a lot of the young men whose names had been mentioned had been introduced to him by Alfred Taylor in October, 1892, who was introduced to him by a gentleman of position and repute--the one whose name had been written down and referred to. Taylor was then living at 13, College-st.
Did you know anything as to his means or occupation? I knew that he had
LOST A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY
by some shares. He was a well-educated young man who played the piano, and Wilde from time to time called upon him. Neither at the time when he was introduced to Taylor nor since had he had any reason to believe Taylor was an immoral person. He remembered some few months ago seeing in a newspaper--the Daily Chronicle--a report that a raid had been made on a house in Fitzroy-st. Alfred Parker and Charles Taylor were among the persons arrested there.
Did you gather what they were charged with?
Oh, yes, yes.
What was the charge? - So far as I could gather they were charged with being there for an unlawful purpose.
You were much distressed? - Yes.
He wrote you a letter? Yes, he said it was
A BENEFIT CONCERT
for which he had been given a ticket. Two men came in women's dress to take part in the concert, and the police immediately broke in and arrested everybody in the place.
Was any impression left on your mind that Taylor was at all to blame?
certainly not. I thought it was monstrous.
Sir Edward now turned to the case of Shelley, who, the prosecutor said, had been introduced to him by Mr. John Lane. afterwards he often went to Mathews and Lane's when Shelley was the only person in charge there. They had many literary conversations together. When "Lady Windermere's Fan" was produced Shelley had a ticket from Mr. Wilde.
He was a great admirer of your work? - Yes.
And you gratified his taste by giving him copies of your books. - Yes.
Did you ever write any inscription on the fly-leaf of any of those books (one fly-leaf had been torn out) that you would object to the whole world seeing?
"NEVER IN MY LIFE"
was the emphatic reply.
Oscar said he went to Paris to attend to the production there of "Lady Windermere's Fan," and when he came back Shelley called on him at Tite-st.
The case is proceeding.