Jamaica Post - Tuesday, April 30, 1895

HOW ARE THE MIGHTY FALLEN!

The latest English newspapers to hand have bought the full details of the notorious Wilde-Queensberry trial; and very disgusting details they are. It is impossible for any man whose mental and moral condition is healthy to read the masterly cross-examination of the plaintiff by Mr Carson, without a feeling of intense loathing; and we cordially agree with the opinion of the editor of the St. James Gazette that such trials should be heard in camera, and that no respectable newspapers should publish any reports of them. For many years Oscar Wilde has been one of the best known figures in the literary, artistic, and social circles of London. His gifts were many and great, As a brilliant conversationalist he had no equal; and many of his epigrams will be placed in the same category as those of the author of "School for Scandal," and "The Rivals." He first came, prominently before the world as the leader of the Aesthetic movement -- the movement which W. S. Gilbert killed by his opera "Patience." It is no secret that the original Bunthorne was the young, brilliant and picturesque Irishman, who was then known as Oscar O'Flaherty Wilde. Subsequently he issued a volume of poetry which, though belonging to what Robert Buchanan has termed "the fleshly school," revealed him as a man of great culture and genuine poetic insight. Then he published the novel which came a good deal into evidence during the recent trial, "Dorian Gray" -- a clever book but one which can scarcely be said to have increased his reputation. A few years ago, however, he burst upon the world as a dramatist of the very first water. His "Lady Windermere's Fan," which enjoyed a long run at the St. James's Theatre, was followed by "The Woman of No Importance," "an Ideal Husband" and "The Importance of Being Earnest." All the critics agreed in eulogising the brilliant cynicism, the flashing epigrams, the refined and delicate wit of these plays. It is questionable if there has been a more popular dramatist or a more sought-after man than Oscar Wilde in London for the past three or four years. But now all the world is ringing with his infamy. Out of his own mouth he stands condemned as a monster who has brought disgrace on the very name of man. Unfortunately he has a mother, a wife and two children who will have to share the disgrace with him. That is the pity of it all -- that the innocent should suffer along with the guilty. By his fall London has lost a charming conversationalist and the stage a brilliant playwright; for, of course, no manager would dare to stage any more of his comedies. So, the last that need be said of him is -- Exit Oscar Wilde.