The Irish News and Belfast Morning News - Friday, April 5, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
OSCAR WILDE’S LIBEL ACTION.
EXTRAORDINARY EVIDENCE.
LONDON, THURSDAY.
The hearing of the libel action brought by Mr. Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry was resumed
to-day at the Old Bailey.
London, Thursday. The hearing of the libel action brought by Mr Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry was resumed to-day at the Old Bailey.
London, Thursday.The hearing of the libel action brought by Mr Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry for libel was resumed to-day at the Old Bailey.
The hearing of the libel action brought by Mr Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry was resumed yesterday at the Old Bailey.
LONDON, FRIDAY.The hearing of the action brought by Mr. Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry was resumed to-day at the Central Criminal Court.
London, Friday.The hearing of the action brought by Mr Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensbery was resumed to-day at the Central Criminal Court.
LONDON, Thursday Night.— The hearing of the charge of criminal libel brought by Mr. Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry was continued at the Old Bailey to-day.
The hearing of the action brought by Mr Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry was resumed to-day at the Central Criminal Court.
The hearing of the charge of criminal libel brought by Mr. Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry was resumed this morning.
The hearing of the charge of criminal libel brought by Mr. Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry was resumed this morning.
The hearing of the charge of criminal libel brought by Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry has been concluded at the Old Bailey, London.
Mr. CARSON, Q.C., resumed the cross-examination of Mr. Wilde, who said he used to go to the upper part of a house, 13 Little College Street, occupied by a man named Taylor. The rooms were artistically furnished and perfumes were burnt. He used to attend tea parties at Taylor’s rooms, but did not know that one of the men frequenting Taylor’s house had disappeared within the past week. He did not know that Taylor and a companion named Parker were arrested in a raid on a house in Fitzroy Square last year. Taylor introduced witness to five young men, to all of whom he gave money. He invited a party to dinner at Kettner’s Restaurant, but was not aware that one of them was a valet and the other a coachman.
Mr Carson, Q C, resumed the cross-examination of Mr Wilde, who said he used to go to the upper part of a house 13 Little College street, occupied by a man named Taylor. The rooms were artistically furnished, and perfumes were burnt. He never saw Taylor attired in a woman’s costume, or knew that he had one. He used to attend tea parties at Taylor’s rooms. He did not know that one of the men frequenting Taylor’s house had disappeared within the past week. He did not know that Taylor and a companion named Parker were arrested in a raid on a house in Fitzroy square last year. Taylor introduced witness to five young men, to all of whom he gave money. He invited a party to dinner at Kettner’s Restaurant. He was not aware that one of them was a valet and the other a coachman.
Mr Carson, Q C, resumed the cross-examination of Mr Wilde, who said he used to go to the upper part of a house, 13 Little College street, occupied by a man named Taylor. The rooms were artistically furnished, and perfumes were burnt. He never saw Taylor attired in a woman’s costume, or knew that he had one. He used to attend tea parties at Taylor’s rooms. Did not know that one of the men frequenting Taylor’s house had disappeared within the past week. He did not know that Taylor and a companion named Parker were arrested in a raid on a house in Fitzroy square last year. Taylor introduced witness to five young men, to all of whom he gave money. He invited a party to dinner at Kettner’s Restaurant. He was not aware that one of them was a valet and the other a coachman.
MR. CARSON—Was there plenty of champagne?
Witness—What gentleman would stint the valet? (Much laughter.)
Further cross-examined, Mr. Wilde denied driving with one of these men to the Savoy Hotel. He never saw Parker at a house in Camera Square. He did not know that certain men who were arrested in the Fitzroy Square raid were connected with the Cleveland Street scandals. The Fitzroy Square arrest made no difference in his friendship with Taylor. He was introduced to a young man named Freddy Atkins, and took him to Paris, being joined there by a gentleman whose name was written yesterday, and passed to counsel. Atkins was addressed as Freddy, and was plaintiff’s guest. He gave Freddy money to go to the Moulin Rouge. They stayed at the same hotel, but no unseemly conduct ever took place. Freddy suggested he should have his hair curled.
Further cross-examined, Mr Wilde denied driving one of these men to his own private room at the Savoy Hotel, and there committing indecency. He never paid visits to Parker at a house in Camera square. He did not know that certain men who were arrested in the Fitzroy square raid were connected with the Cleveland street scandals. The Fitzroy square arrest made no difference in his friendship with Taylor. He was introduced to a young man named Freddy Atkins, and took him to Paris, being joined there by a gentleman whose name was written yesterday and passed to counsel. Atkins was addressed as Freddy, and was plaintiff’s guest. He gave Freddy money to go to the Moulin Rouge. They stayed at the same hotel, but no impropriety ever took place. Freddy suggested he should have his hair curled.
Further cross-examined, Mr Wilde denied driving one of these men to his own private room at the Savoy Hotel. He never paid visits to Parker at a house in Camera square. He did not know that certain men who were arrested in the Fitzroy square raid were connected with the Cleveland street scandal. The Fitzroy square arrest made no difference in his friendship with Taylor. He was introduced to a young man named Freddy Atkins and took him to Paris, being joined there by a gentleman whose name was written yesterday and passed to counsel. Atkins was addressed as "Freddy," and was plaintiff’s guest. He gave Freddy money to go to the Moulin Rouge. They stayed at the same hotel. Freddy suggested he should have his hair curled.
COUNSEL—Did he have it curled?
Witness—No; I should have been very angry if he had. (Laughter.) The gentleman whose name had been written also introduced him to two young men named Scarp and Mabor. The latter met him on his return from Scotland in October, and they stayed at the same hotel in town. He gave Mabor a cigarette case at the rooms occupied by Lord Alfred Douglas. Further examined—he knew a masseur at the Savoy Hotel, but denied that the masseur made any unusual discovery on entering his bedroom one morning. He also repudiated certain suggestions with regard to a visit on one occasion to Paris.
Witness—No; I should have been very angry if he had (laughter). The gentleman whose name had been written also introduced him to two young men named Scarp and Mabor. The latter met him on his return from Scotland in October, and they stayed at the same hotel in town. He gave Mabor a cigarette case at the rooms occupied by Lord Alfred Douglas in High street, Oxford. He met a youth named Granger, a servant, but denied counsel’s suggestion with regard to him (Granger) was ugly.
Witness—No, I should have been very angry if he had (laughter). The gentleman (whose name had been written) also introduced him to two young men named Scarp and Mabor. The latter met him on his return from Scotland in October, and they stayed at the same hotel in town. He gave Mabor a cigarette case. At the rooms occupied by Lord Alfred Douglas, in High-street, Oxford, he met a youth named Granger, a servant, but denied counsel’s suggestions with regard to him, Granger was ugly.
At the conclusion of the cross-examination, Sir E. CLARKE began the re-examination by putting in certain letters of Lord Queensberry. In part of these, written from Chater’s Hotel to Lord A. Douglas, the defendant called upon his son to have nothing more to do with the man Wilde, whose wife he (defendant) had heard on good authority was petitioning for a divorce. Lord Alfred replied by wire:—"Queensberry, what a funny little man you are." The plaintiff denied the suggestion of a divorce petition. Lord Queensberry, in a further letter, called Lord Alfred an impertinent jackanapes, and threatened to cut off supplies. In another letter addressed to the father of his former wife he repeated the accusations against Wilde, to whom he referred in the following terms—"He plainly showed the white feather; he is a cur and a coward of the Rosebery type." Then alluding to his former wife Lord Queensberry also said, "I am convinced that the Rosebery-Gladstone Royal insult came to me through my other son, Drumlanrig, whom I saw on the river last night, and it rather upset me. It shall be known some day that Rosebery not only insulted me by lying to the Queen and to Gladstone, but also has made a life-long quarrel between my son and me." Other letters having been read, the case for the plaintiff closed, and Mr. Carson began his address for the defence.
At the conclusion of the cross-examination Sir E. Clarke began the re-examination by putting in certain letters of Lord Queensberry. In part of these, written from Carter's Hotel to Lord. A. Douglas, the defendant called upon his son to cease his infamous intimacy with the man Wilde; his blood had turned cold at the sight of their horrible faces. The writer continued: "I hear on good authority that his (Wilde's) wife is petitioning for a divorce on the ground of unnatural crimes. The horror has crossed my mind you may be brought into this. If I thought the actual thing true I should feel justified in shooting him at sight." Lord Alfred replied by wire, "Queensberry, what a funny little man you are." Plaintiff denied the suggestion of the divorce petitions. Lord Queensberry, in a further letter, called Lord Alfred "an impertinent jacksnapes," and threatened to cut off supplies. In another letter, addressed by defendant, to the father of his former wife, he repeated the accusations against Wilde, to whom he referred in the following terms:--"He plainly showed the white feather. He is a s------- cur and a corward of the Rosebery type." Then, alluding to his former wife, Lord Queensberry said: "I am convinced that the Rosebery-Gladstone Royal insult that came to me through my other son-she worked that. I saw Dsumlanrig on the river last night, and it rather upset me. It shall be known some day that Rosebery not only insulted me by lying to the Queen (which makes her as bad as him), and to Gladstone, but also has made a life-long quarrel between my son and me." Lord Queensberry in August addressed Lord Alfred as an abortion. The latter continued, "How right I was to face misery rather than bring others into the world." That was the reason I broke off with your mother."
At the conclusion of the cross-examination Sir E. Clarke began the re-examination by putting in certain letters of Lord Queensberry. In part of these, written from Carter's Hotel to Lord A. Douglas, the defendant called upon his son to cease his infamous intimacy with the man Wilde; his blood had turned cold at the sight of their horrible faces. The writer continued: "I hear on good authority that his (Wilde's) wife is petitioning for a divorce on the ground of unnatarual crimes. The horror has crossed my mind you may be brought into this. If I thought the actual thing true I should feel justified in shooting him at sight." Lord Alfred replied by wire, "Queensberry, what a funny little man you are." Plaintiff denied the suggestion of the divorce petition. Lord Queensberry, in a further letter, called Lord Alfred "an impertinent jacksnapes," and threatened to cut off supplies. In another letter, addressed by the defendant to the father of his former wife, he repeated the accusations against Wilde, to whom he referred in the followng terms:—"He plainly showed the white feather. He is a s— cur and a coward of the Rosebery type." Then, alluding to his former wife, Lord Queensberry said: "I am convinced that the Rosebery-Gladstone Royal insult that came to me through my other son—she worked that. I saw Drumlanrig on the river last night, and it rather upset me. It shall be known some day that Rosebery not only insulted me by lying to the Queen (which makes her as bad as him), and to Gladstone, but also has made a life long quarrel between my son and me." Lord Queensberry in August addressed Lord Alfred as an abortion. The letter continued, "How right I was to face misery rather than bring others into the world. That was the reason I broke off with your mother."
At the conclusion of the cross-examination Sir E. Clarke began the re-examination by putting in certain letters of Lord Queensberry. In part of these, written from Carter's Hotel to Lord A. Douglas, the defendant called upon his son to cease his infamous intimacy with the man Wilde, his blood had turned cold at the sight of their horrible faces. The writer continued "I hear on good authority that his (Wilde's) wife is petitioning for a divorce on the ground of unnatural crimes. The horror has crossed my mind you may be brought into this. If I thought that the actual thing true I should feel justified in shooting him at sight." Lord Alfred replied by wire, "Queensberry, what a funny little man you are." Plaintiff denied the suggestion of the divorce petitions. Lord Queensberry, in a further letter, called Lord Alfred "an impertinent jacksnapes," and threatened to cut off supplies. In another letter, addressed by defendant to the father of his former wife, he repeated the accusations against Wilde, to whom he referred in the following terms:--"He plainly showed the white feather. He s a s------- cur and a corward of the Rosebery type." Then, alluding to his former wife, Lord Queensberry said: "I am convinced that the Rosebery-Gladstone Royal insult that came to me through my other son--she worked that I saw Dsumlanrig on the river last night, and it rather upset me. It shall be known some day that Rosebery not only insulted me by lying to the Queen (which makes her as bad as him), and to Gladtstone, but also has made a life-long quarrel between my son and me." Lord Queensberry in August addressed Lord Alfred as an abortion. The letter continued, "How right I was to face misery rather than bring others into the world. That was the reason I broke off with your mother."
At the conclusion of the cross-examination, Sir E Clarke began the re-examination by putting in certain letters of Lord Queensberry. In part of these, written from Carter’s Hotel to Lord A Douglas, the defendant called upon his son to cease his intimacy with the man Wilde. His blood had turned cold at the sight of their faces. The writer continued—"I hear on good authority that his (Wilde’s) wife is petitioning for a divorce on the grounds of crimes. The horror has crossed my mind you may be brought into this. If I thought the actual thing true, I should feel justified in shooting him at sight." Lord Alfred replied by wire—"Queensberry—What a funny little man you are." Plaintiff denied the suggestion of the divorce petition. Lord Queensbury in a further letter called Lord Alfred an impertinent jackanapes, and threatened to cut off supplies. In another letter addressed by the defendant to the father of his former wife he repeated the accusations against Wilde, to whom he referred in the following terms :—"He (plaintiff) showed the white feather. He is a d—cur and a coward of the Rosebery type." Then alluding to his former wife, Lord Queensberry said. "I am convinced that the Rosebery-Gladstone Royal insult that came to me through my soc—it shall be known some day that Rosebery not only insulted me by lying to the Queen (which makes her as bad as him) and to Gladstone, but also had made a life-long quarrel between my son and me." Lord Queensberry in August addressed Lord Alfred in an offensive way. The letter continued—"How right I was to face misery rather than bring others into the world : that was the reason I broke off with your mother."
In opening for the defence, Mr. CARSON said all that Lord Queensberry had done he stood by, and not one of those letters or acts would he withdraw. Lord Queensberry had been consistent throughout, and his only object had been to save his son from the dangerous companionship of Oscar Wilde, who admitted to being a friend of a man known to be engaged in immoral practices. Continuing, counsel read the letter to Lord Alfred Douglas, which the prosecutor termed a sonnet, but which he maintained, if sent by a father to a son 20 years his junior, would still be an abominable and disgusting production. The other letter, of which no mention of publication was made, however, was even more extravagant.
Counsel had not concluded his address when the Court rose.