The Globe - Saturday, April 6, 1895

Oscar Wilde Loses His Suit and is Arrested.

The case of Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry for libel was brought to a close by a verdict in favor for the defendant. The jury not only found that the defendant was not guilty for libel, but in a subsidiary verdict declared that the Marquis of Queensberry’s charges were true, and had been made for the public good. Mr. Wilde gave up the case, after consultation with his counsel. When the verdict was rendered the Marquis of Queensberry left the dock, amid loud cheers. The Judge granted an order requiring Mr. Wilde to pay the costs of the defence. Mr. Wilde was not in court this morning. Mr. Wilde and a companion drove from the Old Bailey in the Holborn Hotel, where they were joined soon afterwards by Lord Alfred Douglas and a companion. The four took luncheon together in a private room, Wilde’s carriage remaining in front of the hotel. The Evening News has received the following letter from Oscar Wilde, written upon the notepaper of the Holborn Viaduct Hotel:—"it would have been impossible for me to have proved my case without putting Lord Alfred Douglas in the witness box against his father. He was extremely anxious to go into the witness box, but I would not let him. Rather than put him in so painful a position I determined to withdraw from the case and bear upon my own shoulders whatever ignominy and shame might result from my prosecution of the Marquis of Queensberry.—Oscar Wilde."

In an interview this afternoon the Marquis of Queensberry said:—"I have sent this message to Wilde: If the country allows you to leave, all the better for the country, but if you take my son with you I will follow you wherever you go and shoot you." Sworn informations have been lodged against several persons mentioned in the trial, some of whose names were not made public, and the civil officers are only waiting the authority of the Treasury Department to make the arrests. Oscar Wilde has been arrested and taken to the Scotland Yard. He was subsequently taken to a cell in the Bow Street Station. Before Wilde was taken to his cell the charge indicated by his testimony in court was read to him. He stood with his hands in his pockets, silent and apparently unconcerned. The audiences at the Haymarket and St. James’ Theatre, where Mr. Wilde plays are being given, were rather small this evening, but they made no hostile demonstrations. At the St. James there were few persons except those who had bought their tickets in advance. The gallery was somewhat critical, and two or three audible comments confused the players slightly.