Galignani Messenger - Tuesday, June 25, 1895

MR. OSCAR WILDE AT PENTONVILLE

Since sentence was passed on Mr. Oscar Wilde, and he has became an inmate of Pentonville Prison, many false accounts have been published respecting his general state of health, and the punishment to which he has been subjected. We are, however, in a position to state on the very best authority that, in whatever condition he may have been at the outset, he is now enjoying fair health. As recently as Friday last a friend of the author of "The Picture of Dorian Gray" visited him at the prison and reports that he was looking well, had a good colour, and that his appetite was exceedingly good. His mental condition is no less satisactory. He has fully resigned himself to accept the condition in which circumstances have placed him, and his only trouble is with reference to Lady Wilde, to whose support he contributed largely during the days of his prosperity.

As to Mr. Wilde's punishment, about which the French Press has made so many inexact statements, it is absolutely untrue that he has ever been on the treadmill. The form of hard labour that he has up to now been put to is oakum picking ; but, in accordance with the Regulation of Prisons Act, which only imposes first-class hard labour for the first month or six weeks, he will very shortly be given the less arduous task of mat-making. Further, in a few weeks Mr. Wilde is to enjoy the privilege of books. Up to the present time he has done no reading, and in view of a coming pleasure he has asked to be provided, among other books, with the works of St. Augustine.

At the expiration of his sentence Mr. Oscar Wilde intends to reside abroad, where he will work with all seriousness on his literary tasks.