Manitoba Morning Free Press - Thursday, April 4, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
Queensberry makes a pass at Oscar Wilde in court.
Trial of the Action for Libel Commenced in London — Extracts
from Letters by Wilde to Lord Douglas — The Marquis Enraged by Remarks of Counsel.
The Marquis of Queensberry attempted to strike Oscar Wilde in
court yesterday.
London, April 3 — The Central Court was densely packed today to hear the proceedings in the action brought by Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry for libel. Wilde was present and maintained an air of unconcern. The Marquis of Queensberry pleaded not guilty, adding that the so-called libel was true, and made known in the interests of public morality.
London, April 3.- The Central court was densely packed to-day to hear the proceedings in the action of Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry for libel. Wilde was present, and maintained an air of unconcern. Queensberry pleaded not guilty, adding that the so-called libel was true, and was made known in the interest of public morality.
Sir Edward Clarke for the prosecution reviewed the evidence, dwelling upon the writing on the card which constituted the libel. When the counsel said certain witnesses would deny the marquis’ testimony, the marquis made an attempt to attack Wilde but could not get at him. The counsel said the Marquis of Queensberry had openly libeled Mr. Wilde in the latter’s own house and was put out. Counsel admitted that Wilde had written an extravagant letter to Lord Douglas. The latter was read and it contained such expressions as "Your rose-leaf lips," "Your slim, gilt soul walks between poetry and passion," "I know that Hyacinthus, who was loved by Apollo was you in the Greek days."
Wilde then took the stand and detailed at length his relations with the family of the marquis.
Wilde took the stand and detailed at length his relations with the family of the marquis.
Mr. Wilde was then called to the stand and detailed his relations with the family of the Marquis.
Mr. Wilde was then called to the stand, and detailed his relations with the family of the marquis.
Mr. Wilde was then called to the stand, and detailed his relations with the family of the marquis.
Mr Wilde was then called to the stand and detailed his relations with the family of the marquis.
Mr Wilde was then called to the stand and detailed his relations with the family of the marquis.
Mr. Wilde was then called to the stand and detailed his relations with the family of the marquis.
Mr. Wilde was then called to the stand and detailed his relations with the family of the Marquis.
Wilde said that in 1893 Queensberry came to his house and accused him of having taken rooms for the latter’s son, Lord Douglas, and threatened to thrash Wilde, if he again caught him with his son. Wilde denied he had taken rooms for Douglas. On cross-examination, Wilde admitted stopping with Douglas and other young men at hotels.
Wilde said that in ’93 Qaeensbery came to his house and accused him of having taken rooms for the latter's son, Lord Douglas, end threatened to thrash Wilde if be again caught him with his son. Wilde denied that he had taken rooms for Douglas. On cross-examination Wilde admitted having stopped with Douglas and other young men at hotels.
Queensberry came to his house and accused him of having taken rooms for the latter’s son, Lord Douglas, and threatened to thrash Wilde if he again caught him with his son. Wilde denied he had taken rooms for Douglas. On cross-examination, Wilde admitted stopping with Douglas and other young men at hotels. He denied that he had "madly adored" a man 20 years his junior.
He denied that he had "madly adored" a man twenty years his junior. In regard to his productions he said he did not believe any of his books had affected the conduct of its readers.
He denied that he "madly adored" a man twenty years his junior. In regard to his productions, he said he did not believe any affected the conduct of his reader.
The Marquis of Queensberry is being tried as an ordinary citizen, before a judge and a jury, for his offence in connection with his alleged libel of Oscar Wilde. This is due to the fact that criminal libel is not a felony, but a misdemeanor, and the only privilege which the marquis enjoys, if he chooses to exercise it, is the right to wear his hat in court, a favor denied to all other persons under the penalty of being imprisoned for contempt.
THE MARQUIS OF QUEENSBERRY will be tried as an ordinary citizen before a jury for his alleged libel of Oscar Wilde. Were the charge that of felony instead of misdemeanor, the ordinary courts would have no jurisdiction over him and his trial would take place in the House of Lords. The only peculiar privilege which the Marquis will enjoy, if he chooses to exercise it, will be the right to wear his hat in court, a favor denied to all commoners, under the penalty of being imprisoned for contempt.
The last occasion on which it was exercised was when the Earl of Abingdon was tried for libel and sentenced to imprisonment and fine. Were the charge against Lord Queensberry that of felony instead of mere misdemeanor, the ordinary courts would have no jurisdiction over him, and his trial would take place in the House of Lords, where his fellow-peers would be his judges, their president for the time being the lord chancellor, or the lord steward of the Queen’s household, who at the present is the Marquis of Breadalbane. During a trial of this kind the president is invariably addressed by the counsel as "Your Grace." The peers taking part in the proceedings are not sworn, but pronounce the verdict of guilty or not guilty "upon their honor," the peer of most recent creation and of lowest rank being the first to give his vote. The verdict of the majority prevails.
The Marquis of Queensbery will be tried as an ordinary citizen, before a judge and jury, for his offence in connection with his alleged libel of Oscar Wilde. This is due to the fact that criminal libel is not a felony, but a misdemeanor, and the only privilege which the Marquis will enjoy, if he chooses to exercise, it, will be the right to wear his hat in court, a favor denied to all other persons under the penalty of being imprisoned for contempt. The last occasion on which it was exercised was when the Earl of Abingdon was tried for libel and sentenced to imprisonment and fine. Were the charge against Lord Queensbery that of felony instead of mere misdemeanor, the ordinary courts would have no jurisdiction over him, and his trial would take place in the House of Lords, where his fellow-peers would be his judges, their President for the time being the Lord Chancellor, or the Lord Steward of the Queen's household, who at the present is the Marquis of Breadalbane. During a trial of this kind the President is invariably addressed by counsel as "Your Grace." The peers, taking part in the proceedings are not sworn, but pronounce the verdict of guilty or not guilty "upon their honor," the peer of most recent creation and of lowest rank, being the first to give bis vote. The verdict of the majority prevails.