New Zealand Times - Saturday, June 1, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
THE SENSATIONAL LONDON SCANDAL
Our London correspondent gives the following interesting particulars concerning the above horrible case. Writing under date of April 12th, he says:— Though the public owes a debt of gratitude to the Marquis of Queensberry for branding the High Priest of a cult which has been a black disgrace to London for the last fifteen years, the less said about his motives the better. The role of affectionate father resolved at all costs to save his son from the clutches of a foul fiend does not exactly suit. In the words of Lord Douglas of Hawick, "My father has persecuted us ever since I can remember. Scandal after scandal has been heaped upon us till I feel utterly unable to hold up my head." Lord Queensberry disliked Oscar Wilde the first time he met him, and later intervened spasmodically in the family affairs (as he was in the habit of doing from time to time) to stop Lord Alfred's acquaintance with him. The sons Lords Percy and Alfred stood by their mother, who had divorced the estimable Q. for particularly objectionable conduct some time previously. They repudiated their father's authority, and his interference re Oscar Wilde merely aggravated Lord Alfred's friendship for the apostle of "culchah." Moreover, not content with defying his erratic parent (which probably wouldn't have mattered much), Lord Alfred chaffed him and scoffed at him. In reply to an indignant epistle calling Oscar unpleasant names, the son wired "Oh! you funny little man," whilst Oscar himself calmly ignored the Marquis.
Our London correspondent gives the following interesting particulars concerning the above horrible case. Writing under date of April 12th, he says:—Though the public owes a debt of gratitude to the Marquis of Queensberry for branding the High Priest of a cult which has been a black disgrace to London for the last fifteen years, the less said about his motives the better. The role of affectionate father resolved at all costs to save his son from the clutches of a foul fiend does not exactly suit. In the words of Lord Douglas of Hawick, "My father has persecuted us ever since I can remember. Scandal after scandal has been heaped upon us till I feel utterly unable to hold up my head." Lord Queensberry disliked Oscar Wilde the first time he met him, and later intervened spasmodically in the family affairs (as he was in the habit of doing from time to time) to stop Lord Alfred's acquaintance with him. The sons Lord Percy and Alfred stood by their mother, who had divorced the estimable Q. for particularly objectionable conduct some time previously. They repudiated their father's authority, and his interference re Oscar Wilde merely aggravated Lord Alfred's friendship for the apostle of "culchah." Moreover, not content with defying his erratic parent (which probably wouldn't have mattered much), Lord Alfred chaffed him and scoffed at him. In reply to an indignant epistle calling Oscar unpleasant names, the son wired "Oh! you funny little man," whilst Oscar himself calmly ignored the Marquis.
This treatment not unnaturally turned Lord Queensberry's smouldering dislike into active malignity. He went about raving against Oscar, and the latter having many enemies and having grown careless with immunity, awkward evidence was soon in his lordship's possession. The statements the Marquis made everywhere became very serious, and but for "Old Q." being a notorious "crank," Wilde couldn't possibly have ignored them as long as he did.
This treatment not unnaturally turned Lord Queensberry's smouldering dislike into active malignity. He went about raving against Oscar, and the latter having many enemies and having grown careless with immunity, awkward evidence was soon in his lordship's possession. The statements the Marquis made everywhere became very serious but for "Old Q." being a notorious "crank," Wilde couldn't possibly have ignored them as long as he did.
The scene on the premiere of "The Importance of Being Earnest" brought things to a head. Mr Alexander expected Oscar to take Lord Queensberry and his bouquet of vegetables as a joke to be skillfully turned against the joker. But Oscar seemed terrified, sent for the police, and had every entrance strictly guarded. The actors and actresses were amazed.
The scene on the premier of "The Importance of Being Earnest" brought things to a head. Mr Alexander expected Oscar to take Lord Queensberry and his bouquet of vegetables as a joke to be skillfully turned against the joker. But Oscar seemed terrified, sent for the police, and had every entrance strictly guarded. The actors and actresses were amazed.
Two days later a very influential personage in the art world intimated to Oscar that Lord Queensberry's mouth must be stopped. His allegations were too specific to be ignored. Mr Wilde thereupon pledged himself to take action at the first opportunity.
Two days later a very influential personage in the art world intimated to Oscar that Lord Queensberry's mouth must be stopped. His allegations were too specific to be ignored. Mr Wilde thereupon pledged himself to take action at the first opportunity.
This was the time to bolt or rather to "leave England for an indefinite period." Oscar neglected the opportunity. His conceit and egotism were colossal. He had turned many awkward corners in the past. Mother wit and brazen impudence must enable him to negotiate this one.
This was the time to bolt or rather to "leave England for an indefinite period." Oscar neglected the opportunity. His conceit and egotism were colossal. He had turned many awkward corners in the past. Mother wit and brazen impudence must enable him to negotiate this one.
Lord Queensberry like "brer Rabbit" lay low. The proceedings at the Police Court reassured Oscar greatly. It was rumoured the defence meant to rely on the "Priest and the Acolyte," and the "Portrait of Dorian Gray" chiefly, "and they," as Oscar said to "Boysey" (Lord Alfred Douglas) "won't settle us."
Lord Queensberry like "brer Rabbit" lay low. The proceedings at the Police Court reassured Oscar greatly. It was rumoured the defence meant to rely on the "Priest and the Acolyte," and the "Portrait of Dorian Gray" chiefly, "and they," as Oscar said to "Boysey" (Lord Alfred Douglas) "wont settle us."
A UNITED FAMILY.
Lord Douglas of Hawick stated to a reporter on Friday that " every member of our family, excepting my father, utterly and absolutely disbelieves the allegations of the defence concerning Mr Wilde." This, however, was promptly contradicted by his lordship's uncle, the Hon and Rev Lord Archibald Douglas, who, on behalf of Lady Queensberry and his sister, stated that they did " most certainly believe the allegations against Wilde, and repudiated all sympathy with his nephew's statement."
Lord Douglas of Hawick stated to a reporter on Friday that "every member of our family, excepting my father, utterly and absolutely disbelieves the allegations of the defence concerning Mr Wilde." This, however, was promptly contradicted by his lordship's uncle, the Hon and Rev Lord Archibald Douglas, who, on behalf of Lady Queensberry and his sister, stated that they did "most certainly believe the allegations against Wilde, and repudiated all sympathy with his nephew's statement."
Lord Douglas of Hawick stated to a reporter on Friday that "every member of our family excepting my father, utterly and absolutely disbelieves the allegations of the defence concerning Mr Wilde." This, however, was promptly contradicted by His Lordship's uncle the Hon. and Rev. Lord Archibald Douglas, who, on behalf of Lady Queensberry and his sister stated that they did "most certainly believe the allegations against Wilde and repudiated all sympathy with his nephew's statement."
Between the police court proceedings in the libel case and the trial, Lord Queensberry sent Oscar a contemptuous message, advising him to bolt, but not to take Lord Alfred with him. If he did, the Marquis might follow, and shoot him. Oscar's reply was to go abroad at once with Lord Alfred and to send " Old Q." his address.
Between the police court proceedings in the libel case and the trial, Lord Queensberry sent Oscar a contemptuous message, advising him to bolt, but not to take Lord Alfred with him. If he did, the Marquis might follow, and shoot him. Oscar's reply was to go abroad at once with Lord Alfred and to send "Old Q." his address.
Between the Police Court proceedings in the libel case and the trial, Lord Queensberry sent Oscar a contemptuous message advising him to bolt but not to take Lord Alfred with him. If he did the Marquis might follow and shoot him. Oscar's reply was to go abroad at once with Lord Alfred and to send "old Q." his address.
PUBLIC OPINION.
Great is the power of the verdict of a British jury. On Friday morning last the plaintiff in the Queensberry libel case was "Mr Oscar Wilde," the "apostle of culture," and an undoubted leader of London society. Despite the rumours concerning his gross and fœtid immorality which have been freely current for over twenty years there were very few smart houses where he was not an honoured guest. To be quite just, certain well-known persons, as for instance Lord and Lady Bath and Mr and Mrs Gladstone, have never stomached him. But those exceptions were not numerous. Even as late as Thursday night Oscar was the hero of a big "crush." It was his last. Twenty-four hours later the reporters no longer prefixed the well-known name with " Mr." He became "Wilde," or " the man Wilde," or the "infamous Wilde."
Great is the power of the verdict of a British jury. On Friday morning last the plaintiff in the Queensberry libel case was "Mr Oscar Wilde," the "apostle of culture," and an undoubted leader of London society. Despite the rumours concerning his gross and fœtid immorality which have been freely current for over twenty years there were very few smart houses where he was not an honoured guest. To be quite just, certain well-known persons, as for instance Lord and Lady Bath and Mr and Mrs Gladstone, have never stomached him. But these exceptions were not numerous. Even as late as Thursday night Oscar was the hero of a big "crush." It was his last. Twenty-four hours later the reporters no longer prefixed the well-known name with "Mr." He became "Wilde," or "the man Wilde," or the "infamous Wilde."
Great is the power of the verdict of a British jury. On Friday morning last the plaintiff in the Queensberry libel case was "Mr Oscar Wilde," the "apostle of culture," and an undoubted leader of London society. Despite the rumours concerning his gross and foetid immorality, which have been freely current for over twenty years, there were very few smart houses where he was not an honoured guest. To be quite just, certain well-known persons, as for instance Lord and Lady Bath and Mr and Mrs Gladstone, have never stomached him. But these exceptions were not numerous. Even as late as Thursday night, Oscar was the hero of a big "crush." It was his last. Twenty-four hours later the reporters no longer prefixed the well-known name with Mr. He became "Wilde," or "the man Wilde," or the "infamous Wilde."
The papers with one or two exceptions passed by the trial without comment. The Daily Twaddlegraph, which has on many occasions "gushed" fulsomely anent Oscar's "coruscating wit" and "undoubted genius," now dilated on his "spurious brilliancy, inflated egotism, diseased vanity and shameless disavowal of all morality." I preferred the tone of the Chronicle, which summed up the situation and its moral accurately thus:—
The papers with one or two exceptions passed by the trial without comment. The Daily Twaddlegraph, which has on many occasions "gushed" fulsomely anent Oscar's "coruscating wit" and "undoubted genius," now dilated on his "spurious brilliancy, inflated egotism, diseased vanity and shameless disavowal of all morality." I preferred the tone of the Chronicle, which summed up the situation and its moral accurately thus:—
"For long past London life, or—let us say—a small and obscure section of it, has been under the shadow of a black cloud. Everybody has suspected and feared: nobody—no decent person—has known. There was some centre whence a most deadly infection spread; it was apparent in a certain class of literature. Now the jury has declared that even a man of unattractive character has done a public benefit in branding one of the most prominent figures in our drama, our literature, and a by no means 'unfashionable' section of society. Upon the genesis of this pose—upon the causes of this degradation of great natural abilities and talents almost amounting to genius—we will not dwell. Suffice it to know that as some return for the undamming of this putrid stream, our life—to go no stop beyond the verdict of the jury yesterday—is rid for ever of a pestiferous poseur. 'Decadence' among us has received a death-blow, and the way has been cleared for an increased wholesomeness of life. Public opinion has been so sharply screwed up during the past two days that certain things in current art and literature, no less than in conduct, will be intolerable for at least a long time to come.
"For long past London life, or—let us say—as small and obscure section of it, has been under the shadow of a black cloud. Everybody has suspected and feared: nobody—no decent person—has known. There was some centre whence a most deadly infection spread; it was apparent in a certain class of literature. Now the jury has declared that even a man of unattractive character has done a public benefit in branding one of the most prominent figures in our drama, our literature, and a by no means 'unfashionable' section of society. Upon the genesis of this pose—upon the causes of this degradation of great natural abilities and talents almost amounting to genius—we will not dwell. Suffice it to know that as some return for the undamming of this putrid stream, our life—to go no step beyond the verdict of the jury yesterday—is rid for ever of a pestiferous poseur. 'Decadence' among us has received a death-blow, and the way has been cleared for an increased wholesomeness of life. Public opinion has been so sharply screwed up during the past two days that certain things in current art and literature, no less than in conduct, will be intolerable for at least a long time to come.
The Chronicle recognizes the wide extent of the evil, and says: "For a long time past London life, or let us say a small and obscure section of it, has been under the shadow of a black cloud. Everybody has suspected and feared; nobody, no decent person, has known that there was some centre whence most deadly infections spread. It was apparent in a certain class of literature. Now a jury has declared that even a man of unattractive character has done a public benefit in branding one of the most prominent figures in our drama, our literature, and by no means an unfashionable section of society. Suffice it to know that, as some return for the undamming of the putrid stream, our life is rid forever of a pestiferous poseur. The way has been cleared for the increased wholesomeness of life. Public opinion has been so sharply screwed up in the past two days that certain things in current art and literature, no less than in conduct, will be intolerable for at least a long time to come."
The Chronicle recognizes the wide extent of the evil and says :—" For a long time past London life, or let us say, a small and obscure section of it, has been under the shadow of a black cloud. Everybody has suspected and feared. Nobody, no decent person has known that there was some centre whence the most deadly infections spread. It was apparent in a certain class of literature. Now a jury has declared that even a man of unattractive character has done a public benefit in branding one of the most prominent figures in our drama, our literature and by no means an unfashionable section of society. Suffice it to know that as some return for the undamming of the putrid stream our life id rid forever of a pest. The way has been cleared for the increased wholesomeness of life. Public Opinion has been so sharply screwed up in the past two days that certain things in current art and literature, no less than in conduct, will be intolerable for at least a long time to come."
The English newspapers are full of the Wilde sensation. The London Chronicle recognizes the wide extent of the evil and says: For a long time past London life, or let us say a small and obscure section of it, has been under the shadow of a black cloud. Everybody has suspected and feared; nobody, no decent person, but has known that there was some centre whence most deadly infection spread. It was apparent in a certain class of literature. Now a jury has declared that even a man of unattractive character has done a public benefit in branding one of the most prominent figures in our drama, our literature, and by no means an unfashionable section of society. Suffice it to know that as some return for the undamning of the putrid stream our life is rid forever of a pestiferous poseur. The way has been cleared for the increased wholesomeness of life. Public opinion has been so sharply screwed up in the past two days that certain things in current art and literature, no less than in conduct, will be intolerable for at least a long time to come.
"One aspect of this sombre and dreadful case forces itself on the public view, and cannot be withheld from it. We seem for some unhappy hours to have been the shuddering witnesses of a bastard revival of society under the later Roman Empire, or of the dark background of the Italian Renaissance. That is a grave fact, which must be recorded, albeit we set it down with 'mourning and lamentation and woe.' The æsthetic movement has been dragged into the mud. Great names are associated with its earlier influences, names as great as those of Keats, and of Ruskin, and of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, and as pure and high as the name of Christina Rossetti. But all things—even the noblest —are subject to contamination, and we must bear, with what patience we may, the feeling that essentially right and inevitable tendencies in art and in literature have been foully prostituted."
"One aspect of this sombre and dreadful case forces itself on the public view, and cannot be withheld from it. We seem for some unhappy hours to have been the shuddering witnesses of a bastard revival of society under the later Roman Empire, or of the dark background of the Italian Renaissance. That is a grave fact, which must be recorded, albeit we set it down with 'mourning and lamentation and woe.' The æsthetic movement has been dragged into the mud. Great names are associated with its earlier influences, names as great as those of Keats, and of Ruskin, and of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, and as pure and high as the name of Christina Rossetti. But all things—even the noblest—are subject to contamination, and we must bear, with what patience we may, the feeling that essentially right and inevitable tendencies in art and in literature have been foully prostituted."