Ceylon Examiner - Wednesday, April 17, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
THE QUEENSBERRY WILDE LIBEL ACTION
OPENING OF THE TRIAL - THE PLAINTIFF IN THE WITNESS BOX.
London, April 8
The trial of the Marquis of Queensberry for criminally libelling Mr Oscar Wilde, the well-known dramatist, has begun. The alleged libel was contained on a post-card which the Marquis left with the hall porter at Mr. Wilde's club. The defence is justification the Marquis declaring that the letter was written with the object of saving his son, Lord Alfred Douglas, from immoral influences exerted over him by Mr Wilde. The defence is based on revelations contained in certain letters from Mr Wilde to Lord Alfred Douglas. For some of these letters Mr Wilde has had, it is alleged, to pay heavy blackmail. The letters, which were of a very gushing character, were found in some old clothes which Lord Alfred Douglas had given away.
The trial of the Marquis of Queensberry for criminally libelling Mr. Oscar Wilde, the well-known dramatist, has begun. The alleged libel was contained on a post-card which the Marquis left with the hall porter at Mr. Wilde's club. The defence is justification, the Marquis declaring that the letter was written with the object of saving his son, Lord Alfred Douglas, from immoral influences exerted over him by Mr. Wilde. The defence is based on revelations contained in certain letters from Mr. Wilde to Lord Alfred Douglas. For some of these letters Mr. Wilde has had, it is alleged, to pay heavy blackmail. The letters, which were of a very gushing character, were found in some old clothes which Lord Alfred Douglas had given away.
The trial of the Marquis of Queensberry for criminally libelling Mr. Oscar Wilde, the well known dramatist, was continued to-day, the cross-examination of the complainant, Mr. Oscar Wilde, being continued. The alleged libel is contained on a post-card which the Marquis left with the hall porter at Mr. Wilde's club. The defence is justification, the Marquis declaring that the letter was written with the object of saving his son, Lord Alfred Douglas, from immoral influences exerted over him by Mr. Wilde. The defence is based on revelations contained in certain letters from Mr. Wilde to Lord Alfred Douglas. For some of these letters Mr. Wilde has had, it is alleged, to pay heavy blackmail. The letters, which were of a very gushing character, were found in some old clothes which Lord Alfred Douglas had given away.
The sudden close of the action brought by Mr. Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry for criminal libel has created a profound sensation. The alleged libel was contained on a post-card which the Marquis left with the hall porter at Mr. Wilde's club. The defence was justification, the Marquis declaring that the letter was written with the object of saving his son, Lord Alfred Douglas, from immoral influences exerted over him by Mr. Wilde. The defence was based on revelations contained in certain letters from Mr. Wilde to Lord Alfred Douglas. For some of these letters Mr. Wilde had had, it was alleged, to pay heavy blackmail. The letters, which were of a very gushing character, were found in some old clothes which Lord Alfred Douglas had given away.
Yesterday the plaintiff Mr Wilde, was subjected to a very severe cross-examination, with a view to showing that his novel Dorian Grey and articles in the Chameleon, a magazine with which he is connected, were intended to inspire criminal practices. Mr Wilde insisted that they were merely the expression of his artistic faculty. His letters to Lord Alfred Douglas were, he said, prose poems, extraordinary perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation. he admitted that he gave one of his alleged blackmailers £21, and lunched with him afterwards in a private room. He admitted also that he as on terms of intimacy with two lads who were not his social equals. He had given them money and expensive presents, but that was because he liked them.
Yesterday the plaintiff, Mr. Wilde, was subjected to a very severe cross-examination, with a view to showing that his novel Dorian Grey and articles in the Chameleon, a magazine with which he is connected, were intended to inspire criminal practices. Mr. Wilde insisted that they were merely the expression of his artistic faculty. His letters to Lord Alfred Douglas were, he said, prose poems, extraordinary perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation. He admitted that he gave one of his alleged blackmailers £21, and lunched with him afterwards in a private room. He admitted also that he was on terms of intimacy with two lads who were not his social equals. He had given them money and expensive presents, but that was because he liked them.
Mr. Wilde, after giving his evidence, was subjected to a stringent cross-examination with a view to showing that his book, "The Picture of Dorian Gray," and certain articles published in the magazine "Chameleon," with which he was connected, were inspired by criminal practices. Mr. Wilde, however, insisted that they were merely an expression of the artistic faculty; and, further, that his letters to Lord Alfred Douglas were prose poems - of an extraordinary character, perhaps, but not justifying any immoral interpretation. He admitted that he gave one of the alleged blackmailers £21, and entertained him at lunch afterwards in a private room. He also admitted that he had been on terms of intimacy with two lads who were not his social equals, and he gave them considerable sums of money and expensive presents because he liked them.
Mr. Wilde, after giving his evidence, was subjected to a stringent cross-examination with a view to showing that his book, "The Picture of Dorian Gray," and certain articles published in the magazine "Chameleon," with which he was connected, were inspired by criminal practices. Mr. Wilde, however, insisted that they were merely an expression of the artistic faculty; and, further, that his letters to Lord Alfred Douglas were prose poems — of an extraordinary character, perhaps, but not justifying any immoral interpretation. He admitted that he gave one of the alleged blackmailers £21, and entertained him at lunch afterwards in a private room. He also admitted that he had been on terms of intimacy with two lads who were not his social equals, and he gave them considerable sums of money and expensive presents because he liked them.
Oscar Wilde was subjected to a stringent cross-examination, with a view to showing that "Dorian Grey" and some articles in the magazine Chameleon, with which he is connected, are of an immoral tendency. Wilde insisted that they are merely the expression of an artistic faculty. His letters to Lord A. Douglas were prose poems, extraordinary, perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation. He admitted that he gave one of his alleged black-mailers L21, and lunched with him in a private room afterwards. The case has been adjourned. Defendant was admitted to bail.
Oscar Wilde was subjected to a stringent cross-examination, with a view of showing that "Dorian Grey" and some articles in the magazine Chameleon, with which he is connected are of an immoral tendency. Wilde insisted that they are merely the expression of an artistic faculty. His letters to Lord A. Douglas were prose poems, extraordinary, perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation. He admitted that he gave one of his alleged blackmailers L21, and lunched with him in a private room afterwards. The case has been adjourned. Defendant was admitted to bail.
Oscar Wilde was subjected to a stringent cross examination with the view of showing that "Dorian Grey" and some articles in the Chameleon Magazine with which he is connected are of an immoral tendency. Wilde insisted that they are merely the expression of artistic faculty. His letters to Douglas were prose poems, extraordinary perhaps but not justifying an immoral interpretation. He admitted that he gave one of his alleged blackmailers L21 and lunched with him in a private room afterwards. The case was adjourned and defendant admitted to bail.
Oscar Wilde was subjected to a stringent cross-examination, with a view of showing "Dorian Grey" and some articles in the magazine 'Chameleon,' with which he is connected, are of an immoral tendency. Wilde insisted that they are merely an expression of artistic faculty. His letters to Lord Alfred Douglas were prose poems, extraordinary perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation. He admitted that he gave one of his alleged blackmailers £21 and lunched with him in a private room afterwards. The case was adjourned, the defendant being admitted to bail.
Prosecutor was severely cross-examined with a view to showing that his novel, "Dorian Gray," a story of modern life, which appeared in "Lippincott's Magazine," his articles in other magazines, and the 'Chameleon,' with which he is connected, inspired to criminal practices. Wilde insisted that the articles were merely the expression of an artistic faculty. The letters to Lord Alfred Douglas were "prose poems," "extraordinary perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation." He admitted that he gave one of the alleged blackmailers £21 and afterwards entertained him at luncheon in a private room. Wilde also admitted being on terms of intimacy with two lads not his social equals, and that he gave them considerable sums of money and expensive presents. He did this because he "liked them."
Mr Wilde was subjected to a stringent cross-examination with a view to showing that "Dorian Grey" and some articles in the magazine Chameleon, with which he is connected, are of an immoral tendency. Mr Wilde insisted that they are merely an expression of artistic faculty. His letters to Lord Douglas were prose poems, extraordinary perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation. He admitted that he gave one of his alleged blackmailers £21 and lunched with him in a private room afterwards. The case was adjourned. Defendant was admitted to bail.
The prosecutor was stringently cross-examined with the view of showing that his novel, "Dorian Grey," a story of an artist and his model, which appeared in Lippincott's Magazine, his articles in other magazines, and the Chameleon, with which he is connected, inspired to criminal practices. Oscar Wilde insisted that the articles were merely the expression of an artistic faculty. The letters to Lord Alfred Douglas were "prose poems," "extraordinary perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation." He admitted that he gave one of the alleged blackmailers £21, and afterwards entertained him at luncheon in a private room. Wilde also admitted having been on terms of intimacy with two lads not his social equals, and that he gave them considerable sums of money and expensive presents. He did this because he "liked them."
Mr Wilde was subjected to a stringent cross-examination with a view to showing that "Dorian Grey" and some articles in the magazine Chameleon, with which he is connected, are of an immoral tendency. Mr Wilde insisted that they are merely an expression of artistic faculty. His letters to Lord Douglas were prose poems, extraordinary perhaps, but not justifying any immoral interpretation. He admitted that he gave one of his alleged blackmailers £21, and lunched with him in a private room afterwards. The case was adjourned. Defendant was admitted to bail.
The prosecutor was stringently crossexamined with the view of showing that his novel, "Dorian Grey," a story of an artist and his model, which appeared in Lippincott's Magesine, his articles in other magazines, and the Chameleon, with which he is connected, inspired to criminal practices. Oscar Wilde insisted that the articles were merely the expression of an artistic faculty. The letters to Lord Alfred Douglas were "prose poems," "extraordinary perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation." He admitted that he gave one of the alleged blackmailers £21. and afterwards entertained him at luncheon in a private room. Wilde also admitted having been on terms of intimacy with two lads not his social equals, and that he gave them considerable sums of money and expensive presents. He did this because he "liked them."
The prosecutor was stringently cross-examined with the view of showing that his novel, "Dorian Grey," a story of an artist and his model, which appeared in Lippincott's Magazine, his articles in other magazines, and the Chameleon, with which he is connected, inspired to criminal practices. Oscar Wilde insisted that the articles were merely the expression of an artistic faculty. The letters to Lord Alfred Douglas were "prose poems," "extraordinary perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation." He admitted that he gave one of the alleged blackmailers £21, and afterwards entertained him at Inncheon in a private room. Wilde also admitted having been on terms of intimacy with two lads not his social equals, and that he gave them considerable sums of money and expensive parents. He did this because he "liked them."
Oscar Wilde was subjected to a stringent cross-examination with a view to showing that 'Dorian Grey' and some articles in the magazine 'Chameleon,' with which he is connected, are of an immoral tendency. He insisted that they are merely expressions of artistic faculty. His letters to Lord Douglas were prose poems, extraordinary perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation. He admitted that he gave one of his alleged blackmailers £21, and lunched with him in a private room afterwards. The case was adjourned, defendant being admitted to bail.
Wilde was subjected to a stringent cross-examination with a view of showing that "Dorian Grey" and some articles in the magazine Chameleon with which he is connected, are of an immoral tendency. Wilde insisted that they are merely expressions of the artistic faculty. His letters to Lord Douglas were prose poems; extraordinary, perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation. He admitted that he gave one of his alleged blackmailers £25 and lunched with him in a private room afterwards. The case was adjourned and defendant admitted to bail.
Oscar Wilde was subject to a stringent cross-examination, with the view of showing that "Dorian Grey" and some articles in a magazine with which he is concerned are of an immoral tendency. Wilde insisted that they are merely an expression of artistic faculty. His letters to Douglas were prose poems, extraordinary perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation. He admitted that he gave one of his alleged blackmailers £21 and lunched with him in a private room afterwards. The case was adjourned. Defendant was admitted to bail.
Oscar Wilde was subjected to a stringent cross-examination with a view to showing that "Dorian Grey" and some articles in the magazine Chameleon with which he is connected, are of an immoral tendency. Wilde insisted they are merely expressions of artistic faculty. His letters to Lord Douglas he said were prose poems, extraordinary perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation. He admitted he gave one of his alleged black-mailers £21, and lunched with him in a private room afterwards. The case is adjourned. Defendant was admitted to bail.
Oscar Wilde was subjected to a stringent cross-examination with a view to showing that "Dorian Grey" and some articles in the magazine "Chameleon," with which he is connected, are of an immoral tendency. Wilde insisted they are merely expressions of artistic faculty. His letters to Lord Douglas he said were prose poems, extraordinary perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation. He admitted he gave one of his alleged black-mailers L21, and lunched with him in a private room afterwards. The case is adjourned. Defendant was admitted to bail.
Oscar Wilde was subjected to a stringent cross-examination with a view to showing that "Dorian Gray" and some articles in the magazine "Chameleon," with which he is connected, are of an immoral tendency. Wilde insisted they are merely expressions of artistic faculty. His letters to Lord Douglas he said were prose poems, extraordinary perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation. He admitted he gave one of his alleged black-mailers L21, and lunched with him in a private room afterwards. The case is adjourned. Defendant was admitted to bail.
Mr Wilde was subjected to a stringent cross-examination with a view to showing that "Donan Grey" and some other articles in a magazine called the Chameleon, with which he is connected, are of an immoral tendency. Mr Wilde insisted that they were merely an expression of the artistic faculty. His letters to his daughter were prose poems, extraordinary perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation. He admitted that he gave one of his alleged blackmailers £25, and lunched with him in a private room afterwards. The case was adjourned. The defendant was admitted to bail.
Wilde was subjected to a stringent cross-examination with the view of showing "Dorian Grey" and some articles in the magazine "Chameleon" with which he is connected, are of an immoral tendency. Wilde insisted that they are merely the expression of an artistic faculty. His letters to Douglas were prose poems, extraordinary perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation. He admitted he gave one of his alleged blackmailers £21 and lunched with him in a private room afterwards. The case was adjourned, defendant being admitted to bail.
Mr Wilde's epigrams, paradoxes, and extravagant statements while in the witness box caused much amusement. The case was adjourned, the Marquis of Queensbury being admitted to bail. The case is attracting a very large amount of interest, and the Court in which the trail is taking place is crowded at each sitting. - Australian Papers.
Mr. Wilde's epigrams, paradoxes and extravagant statements while in the witness-box caused much amusement. The case was adjourned, the Marquis of Queensberry being admitted to bail. The case is attracting a very large amount of interest, and the Court in which the trial is taking place is crowded at each sitting.