The Freeman’s Journal - Wednesday, June 5, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
LONDON CORRESPONDENCE
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
(BY SPECIAL WIRE.)
London, Wednesday Morning. [...]Although I am unable to say whether the statements as to Oscar Wilde's condition in prison are well founded, it may safely be said that no one who saw him during the Old Bailey trial would be surprised if they were. He certainly looked, as I said before, like a man who was on the verge of mental and physical collapse from sheer terror. Of course it may be that these reports are sent abroad to quicken the sympathy of the public with the prisoner, on whose behalf I am credibly informed that an attempt is actually being made to get up a petition to secure an amelioration of his sentence. The prime movers in the matter, however, are so far afraid to venture before the public with their petition, which would receive scant support in the present state of the public mind. One of the principal arguments urged in its support is a very curious one—viz, that there are many equally bad offenders in London who are allowed to go scot-free, though their connection with the scandal is known to the authorities. That, however, is an argument for proceeding against the other offenders, not for reducing Oscar Wilde's punishment.
London, Wednesday Morning. […] Although I am unable to say whether the statements as to Oscar Wilde’s condition in prison are well founded, it may safely be said that no one who saw him during the Old Bailey trial would be surprised if they were. He certainly looked, as I said before, like a man who was on the verge of mental and physical collapse from sheer terror. Of course it may be that these reports are sent abroad to quicken the sympathy of the public with the prisoner, on whose behalf I am credibly informed that an attempt is actually being made to get up a petition to secure an amelioration of his sentence. The prime movers in the matter, however, are so far afraid to venture before the public with their petition, which would receive scant support in the present state of the public mind. One of the principal arguments urged in its support is a very curious one—viz, that there are many equally bad offenders in London who are allowed to go scot-free, though their connection with the scandal is known to the authorities. That, however, is an argument for proceeding against the other offenders, not for reducing Oscar Wilde’s punishment. […]