The Otago Daily Times - Saturday, June 1, 1895

LONDON CHAT.
(From Our Special Correspondent.)
London, April 20.

Nothing is talked of so much as the Wilde and Queensberry trial, but it is significant that no person of any social position was seen in court; and not even "the New Woman" put in an appearance. In the meantime the sale of the evening papers testified to the all-absorbing curiosity of the public in the daily unsavoury dish of scandal served alike by plaintiff and defendant. Mr Wilde distinguished himself in repartee and in cool effrontery. He is an able fencer in difficult situations, and tried to laugh away very damaging incidents. If guilty, it will be a pity that he cannot be hanged. Lady Wilde is bedridden and very poor, a fact which her son does not seem to have taken much into account.

It is stated that Mr Hare paid Oscar Wilde £100 forfeit to get off producing "An Ideal Husband," which piece he had accepted. He did not live up to Oscar. When "The Importance of Being Earnest" was produced, that important personage was seen for many nights in different seats of the theatre by himself, with his face buried in his handkerchief, laughing at his own jokes. He was probably educating the public as to what a joke was. Mr George Lewis refused to act for the marquis in the late case, as he had been a college friend of Oscar's.