Evening Herald - Tuesday, May 28, 1895

PROMINENT PEOPLE.

[...]The Wilde case has established the position of Sir Edward Clarke as the greatest of living advocates, albeit that it was impossible that even such advocacy as his could have been effective in face of such evidence. It is an open secret that the affair has brought no pecuniary benefit to the ex-Solicitor-General, who generously chose to consider that the fee he accepted for the prosecution of Lord Queensberry covered the subsequent proceedings as well.

It is rumoured that certain persons propose to make Sir Edward's defence of Wilde a ground for reproach. No advocate, whatever his reputation, may desert a client whose life or liberty are in question, nor has he the right even to consider the influence his action may have upon his own prospects or fame. "In the discharge of my duty to my client," said Brougham, "I would recriminate upon the King himself," and Sir Edward Clarke has shown that the high sense of professional honour has not deteriorated in the Bar. He has greatly discharged a great duty, and will justly receive honour from all to whom justice is dear.

After the scene in court it is impossible to conceal the desperate quarrel that has broken out between Sir Edward Clarke and the Solicitor-General. It originated in an expression by Sir Frank Lockwood, in which Sir Edward appeared to be placed in invidious comparison with Mr Gill in a matter of credibility. Sir Edward warmly resented the imputation at the time. He has since then felt it deeply, as he considered that Sir Frank did not sufficiently withdraw what he had said. It has been understood that Sir Edward was determined to seek an opportunity of compelling Sir Frank to apologise. The unfortunate scene on Saturday deeply pained tho the admirers of both eminent men, and it is thought that the time has now arrived for mutual friends to intervene with a view of restoring good feeling between two of the most distinguished men at the bar.