Auckland Star - Saturday, November 16, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
LONDON GOSSIP.
(From Our Own Correspondent.)
London, September 25.
OSCAR AGAIN.
The first chapter of 'the atonement of Oscar Wilde' was written at the Bankruptcy Court on Tuesday, when the unhappy convict's solicitor announced that, partly by a subscription raised amongst friends, and partly by royalties obtained from his books and plays, the creditors would be paid in full. The fallen apostle was brought to Carey-street from Her Majesty's Prison at Wandsworth to undergo his public examination, but this torture had to be postponed. Those who saw him were much shocked, The cringing, cowed, 'whipped dog' manner, which comes from degrading associations and poor food, was painfully conspicuous. He humbly employed the warders not to let anyone get a glimpse of him, and when (wearing handcuffs) he was smuggled into the prison van he hung his head, looking neither to the right or left. Nevertheless, I incline to predict the world has not heard the last of Wilde. Though pale and thin, the man is quite well, and this drastic discipline should prove his intellectual salvation. Who will dare to say that the genius which, despite grossness and sensuality, managed to make itself felt in the days of his shameless prosperity, may not shine forth presently lambent and purified? The very magnitude of the task of achieving rehabilitation is not unlikely to lend the effort attraction in this wayward but brilliant man's mind.
The first chapter of the 'Atonement of Oscar Wilde' was written at the Bankruptcy Court on Tuesday, when the unhappy convict's solicitor announced that, partly by a subscription raised amongst friends and partly by royalties obtained from his books and plays, the creditors would be paid in full. The fallen apostle was brought to Carey street from H.M.'s Prison at Wandsworth to undergo his public examination, but his torture had to be postponed. Those who saw him were much shocked. The whining, cowed, "whipped dog" manner which comes from degrading associations and poor food was painfully conspicuous. He humbly implored the warders not to let anyone get a glimpse of him, and when (wearing handcuffs) he was smuggled into the prison van hung his head, looking neither right nor left. Nevertheless, I incline to predict the world has not heard the last of Wilde. Though pale and thin, he is quite well, and this drastic discipline should prove his intellectual salvation. Who will dare to say that the genius which, despite grossness and sensuality, managed to make itself felt in the days of his shameless prosperity may not shine forth presently lambent and purified? The very magnitude of the task of achieving rehabilitation is not unlikely to lend the effort attraction in this wayward but brilliant man's mind.