The Boston Globe - Monday, April 8, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
LODGED IN JAIL.
Wilde's Nerve Already
Begins to Fail.
Threatens to End Life at Very
First
Opportunity.
Keepers Take From Him
Even His Scarf Pin.
Ride in Prison Van Brought
on Prostration.
Mrs Frank Leslie Tells of
Him
as Husband and Son.
LONDON, April 7 - A report that Oscar Wilde had committed suicide in the Bow st police station caused a widespread sensation today.
The report originated, it was found, in the fact that when Wilde was about to be transferred from the police station in a prison van to Holloway jail he was in a state of semicollapse, suffering from hysteria, and said to the prison attendants that he should commit suicide if he had a chance.
LONDON, April 7. - A report that Oscar Wilde had committed suicide at the Bow-street Police Station caused a widespread sensation to-day. The report originated in the fact that when Wilde was about to be transferred from the police station in the prison van to the Holloway Jail he was in a state of semi-collapse, suffering from hysteria, and said to the prison attendants that he would commit suicide if he had a chance.
This put them on the alert.
Wilde was immediately subjected to a thorough search, and the police even removed his pearl breast pin and handkerchief, lest he might stab or strangle himself.
This put them on the alert. Wilde was immediately subjected to a thorough search, and the police even removed his pearl breastpin and handkerchief lest he might stab or strangle himself.
The prospect of conviction, with the consequent horrors of a convict's life, appaled Wilde. It is that aspect which seems to concern him exclusively, not the shame and degradation into which he is plunged.
The prospect of conviction with the consequent horrors of a convict's life has simply stupefied Wilde. It is that aspect of the case which seems to concern him exclusively - not the shame and degradation into which his vices have brought him.
He is a man to whom the luxuries of life were everything, whose sole thought was self-indulgence. To such a one the rigors and deprivations of prison are the very worst kind of punishment.
He is a man to whom the luxuries of life were everything and whose sole thought was self-indulgence. To such a one the rigors and deprivations of prison will be the very worst kind of punishment.
AS HUSBAND AND SON.
Mrs Frank Leslie Tells of the Home
Life of Oscar Wilde.
NEW YORK, April 7 - The Herald today says:
There is probably no one individual in this country more deeply grieved and shocked over the disclosures which have brought about the downfall of Oscar Wilde than Mrs Frank Leslie.
There is probably no one individual in this country more deeply grieved and shocked over the disclosures which have brought about the downfall of Oscar Wilde than Mrs. Frank Leslie.
Mrs Leslie's marital difficulties with his brother never at anytime disturbed the cordial relations which existed between herself and Oscar Wilde. She saw him frequently during her yearly sojourns in London, and was always a welcome guest, both at his own home and that of his mother, Lady Wilde.
Mrs. Leslie's marital difficulties with his brother never at any time disturbed tbe cordial relations which existed between herself and Oscar Wilde. She saw him frequently during her yearly sojourns in London, and was always a welcome guest, both at his own home and that of his mother, Lady Wilde.
Mrs Leslie's acquaintanceship with Oscar Wilde dates from the time of his visit to this country 15 years ago, when he flashed upon us the brilliant eccentricity of his esthetic fad, then in the zenith of its extravagance.
Mrs. Leslie's acquaintance with Oscar Wilde dates from the time of his visit to this country fifteen years ago, when he flashed upon us the brilliant eccentricity of his aesthetic fad, then in the zenith of its extravagance.
The friendship then formed has continued ever since. Mrs Leslie since that time has been on terms of the closest intimacy with the Wilde family, so that no one is better entitled to speak authoritatively of the character and home life of the brilliant man whose career seems to be about ended. Mrs Leslie's remarks in this direction will be found both spicy and entertaining.
The friendship then formed has continued ever since. Mrs. Leslie since that time has been on terms of the closest intimacy with the Wilde family, so that no one is better entitled to speak authoritatively of the character and home life of the brilliant man whose career seems to be about ended. Mrs. Leslie's remarks in this direction will be found both spicy and entertaining.
"This terrible thing that has come upon Mr Wilde," said Mrs Leslie yesterday, "is the greatest puzzle of my life. I cannot reconcile it with what I know of Oscar Wilde. Remember, my opinion is based upon what I've seen of him in his home, as husband, son and friend. He has always been a devoted son. Never a day passes but that he visits his delightful old mother, bearing with him some gift of flowers or fruit. He has said to me, the tears welling up in his eyes, ‘Ah, it will be the blackest day in my life when my mother is taken from me.' I was moved by his emotion, and said: ‘How you love her!' ‘Yes,' he replied, ‘she's the best mother that ever lived.'
"This terrible thing that has come upon Mr. Wilde," said Mrs. Leslie yesterday, "is the greatest puzzle of my life. I cannot reconcile it with what I know of Oscar Wilde. Remember, my opinion is based upon what I've seen of him in his home, as husband, son and friend. He has always been a devoted son. Never a day passes but that he visits his delightful old mother, bearing with him some gift of flowers or fruit. He has said to me, the tears welling up in his eyes, 'Ah, it will be the blackest day in my life when my mother is taken from me.' I was moved by his emotion, and said, 'How you love her!' 'Yes,' he replied, 'she's the best mother that ever lived.'
"In the case of Wilde these revelations must necessarily damn him forever in English society, in which he had made both for himself and his family a proud position. Indeed, the Wildes went everywhere, and at their well-appointed home in Tite st one was always sure of meeting the very brightest persons in England.
"In the case of Wilde these revelations must necessarily damn him forever in English society, in which he had made both for himself and his family a proud position. Indeed, the Wildes went everywhere, and at their well appointed home in Tite street one was always sure of meeeting the very brightest persons in England.
"The very first place in any history of the Wilde family, however, should be given to Oscar's mother. Half the good things Oscar Wilde says were first said by his mother. She was a Miss Elgie, and comes of a fine old Irish family. She is a wonderful old woman, now in the sententies, but as bright and alert as she was 30 years ago. As a girl she achieved a great reputation as a poet, writing under the name of ‘Speranza’ for Ireland's liberty . The story goes that her spirited call to arms was attributed to an eminent public man, who was arrested on the charge.
"The very first place in any history of the Wilde family, however, should be given to Oscar's mother. Half the good things Oscar Wilde says were first said by his mother. She was a Miss Elgie, and comes of a fine old Irish family. She is a wonderful old woman, now in the seventies, but as bright and alert as she was thirty years ago. As a girl she achieved a great reputation as a poet, writing under tile name of 'Speranza' for Ireland's liberty. The story goes that her spirited call to arms was attributed to an eminent public man, who was arrested on the charge.
"The very first place in any history of the Wilde family, however, should be given to Oscar's mother. Half the good things Oscar Wilde says were first said by his mother. She was a Miss Elgie. She is a wonderful old woman, now in the seventies, but as bright and alert as she was thirty years ago. As a girl she achieved a great reputation as a poet, writing under the name of 'Speranza' for Ireland's liberty. Dr. Wilde, her husband, was knighted for services he had rendered to his country as an oculist. He possessed wonderful skill in this direction. It was owing to the success of an operation performed by him upon King Oscar of Sweden that that monarch acted as godfather to the little Oscar Wilde.
"When she heard of it this slender girl arose in court and publicly acknowledged the authorship of the dangerous lines in question. She was always a heroine, brave, intrepid, lofty of soul. Dr Wilde, her husband, was knighted for services he had rendered to his country as an oculist. He possessed wonderful skill in this direction. It was owing to the success of an operation performed by him upon King Oscar of Sweden that the monarch condescended to act as godfather to the little Oscar Wilde.
"When she heard of it this slender girl arose in court and publicly acknowledged the authorship of the dangerous lines in question. She was always a heroine, brave, intrepid, lofty of soul. Dr. Wilde, her husband, was knighted for services he had rendered to his couutry as an oculist. He possessed wonderful skill in this direction. It was owing to the success of his operation performed by him upon King Oscar of Sweden that that monarch condescended to act as godfather to tbe little Oscar Wilde.
"The Wilde home during Oscar's childhood was in Merrion sq, Dublin. It's hospitality was famous. Mrs Wilde entertained right royally. It was a common thing in that house for the table to be set with 40 covers. Everybody was welcome. There never was a board where so much wit scintillated as at Lady Wilde’s. I have never seen anyone with her grace in entertaining.
"The Wilde home during Oscar's childhood was ia Merrion square, Dublin. It's hospitality was famous. Mrs. Wilde entertained right royally. It was a common thing to that house for the table to be set with forty covers. Everybody was welcome. There never was a board where so much wit scintillated as at Lady Wilde's. I have never seen any one with her grace in entertaining.
"Lady Wilde was always fond of dress, and is so to this day. Old as she is, and bedridden, she is still as dainty about her person as an aristocratic belle in her first season. Her home was and is a rendezvous for Americans. Her Saturday afternoons at her house in Chelsea were, until her illness, one of the marvels of the city.
"Lady Wilde was always fond of dress, and is so to this day. Old as she is, and bedridden, she is still as dainty about her person as an aristocratic belle in her first season. Her home was and is a rendezvous for Americans. Her Saturday afternoons at her house In Chelsea were, until her illness, one of the marvels of the city.
"She had a passion for dim religious light. The curtains were always drawn and the gas jets shaded with red globes . The effect was most peculiar, and so dark were her rooms that the guests frequently fell over one another in moving about. Lady Wilde to this day has the heart of a young girl. She reads every new book, and is as conversant with what is going on in this country as I am.
"She had a passion for dim religious light. The curtains were always drawn and the gas jets shaded with red globes. The effect was most peculiar, and so dark were her rooms that the guests frequently fell over one another in moving about. Lady Wilde to this day has the heart of a young girl. She reads every new book and is as conversant with what is going on in this country as I am.
"Now, I do not place so much stress
Continued on the Fifth Page.
LODGED IN JAIL.
Continued from the First Page.
on that letter to Lord Alfred Douglas. It contains simply the jargon of that set of which Wilde is the acknowledged leader. You will find the same thing in ‘The Green Carnation.' In the book Esmee is Oscar Wilde, and Lord Reggie is Lord Alfred Douglas. The marquis of Queensberry is easily recognizable, and so is Mme Gabrielli, another famous figure in London society. This book was really the last straw to the marquis of Queensberry. He couldn't stand its subtle allusion.
"Now. I do not place so much stress on that letter to Lord Alfred Douglas. It coutains simply the jargon of that set of which Wilde is the acknowledged leader. You will find the same thing in "The Green Carnation," the book which is now having as extensive vogue in London as Trilby had here. In the book Esmee is Oscar Wilde, and Lord Reggie is Lord Alfred Douglas. The Marquis of Queensberry is easily recognizable, and so is Madame Gabrielli, another famous figure in London society. This book was really the last straw to the Marquis of Queensberry. He couldn't stand its subtle allusion.
"I want to tell you about Oscar Wilde's wife. She is an Irish woman, and was Miss Constance Lloyd. She inherited a large sum of money on the death of her father, who had great shipping interests. She is the prettiest, daintiest, most graceful woman you ever saw, and after 15 years of married life she still adores her husband. While his dress is now strictly conventional, she continues to affect the esthetic in all her costumes.
"I want to tell you about Oscar Wilde's wife. She is an Irish woman and was a Miss Constance Lloyd. She inherited a large sum of money on the death of her father, who had great shipping interests. She is the prettiest, daintiest, most graceful woman you ever saw, and after fifteen years of married life she still adores her husband. While his dress is now strictly conventional, she continues to affect the aesthetic in all her costumes.
"Why, she's the purest, simplest thing. She wouldn't even tell a society fib. She's as cold as marble, but through the ice you can see the warm glitter of heartfelt admiration for her husband. Her reception days are Wednesdays, and a marvelous feature of them is the invariable presence of her husband. He always stays at home on her reception days, a remarkable thing, I think, after 15 years of wedded life. It is beautiful to observe how she is always looking up to him, always appealing for his approval of everything she says.
"Why, she's the purest, simplest thing. She wouldn't even tell a society fib. She's as cold as marble, but through the ice you can see the warm glimmer of heartfelt admiration for her husband. Her reception days are Wednesdays, and a marvellous feature of them is the invariable presence of her husband. He always stays a home on her reception days, a remarkable thing, I think, after fifteen years of wedded life. It to beautiful to observe how she is always looking up to him, always appealing for his approval of everything she says.
"Their home in Tite st, Chelsea, is a marvel of well ordered appointment and elegant taste. The drawing room is decorated in white and gold, but the furniture reproduces in its models and combinations the ‘greenery-yellery’ effect. Some of the finest watercolors I ever saw adorn the walls. And then the persons you meet there are the wittiest and brainiest in London. There you will see Swinburne, ever an intimate and admirer of Oscar Wilde, and Whistler, who got off that famous joke which set the whole literary world laughing and wagging its head. It happened at a dinner party, Whistler had said something remarkably clever and Wilde remarked, ‘I wish to heavens, Whistler, I'd said that myself.' To which the artist responded, ‘You will, Oscar; you will in time.'
"Their home in Tite street, Chelsea, is a marvel of well ordered appointment and elegant taste. The drawing room is decorated in white and gold, but the furniture reproduces in its models, and combinations the 'greenery yallery' effect. Some of the finest water colors I ever saw adorn the walls. And then the persons you meet there are the wittiest and brainiest In London. There you will see Swinburne, ever an intimate and admirer of Oscar Wilde, and Whistler, who got off that famous joke which set the whole literary world laughing and wagging its head. It happened at a dinner party. Whistler had said something remarkably clever and Wilde remarked, 'I wish to heavens, Whistler, I'd said that myself.' To which the artist responded, 'You will, Oscar. You will in time.'
"When I think of this delightful home, of the lovely woman who presides over it, of the mother whose sole stay and support that son is, and of the two lovely children, the fruit of a union of hearts, I find it hard to believe that Oscar Wilde is the creature men say he is.
"Oscar Wilde's boys are Vivian and Clarence, 13 and 11 years old respectively. They are splendid fellows, with the mop of Wilde hair growing low over their foreheads. This Wilde hair is a marvel. It keeps the members of this remarkable family in the realm of perpetual youth. Even at her advanced age it covers, when released, the shoulders of Lady Wilde like a thick veil.
"But let me tell you about these boys. They have been most carefully nurtured. Oscar's fad has been that they should never go to school until they were thoroughly robust physically. The consequence is that their education has been directed so far exclusively by the father and mother. Mr Wilde would never have a tutor in his house, or indeed, for that matter, a male servant of any description. It is a noticeable fact that at all his great dinners Mr Wilde’s guests are always served by women waiters.
"But let me tell you about these boys. They have been most carefully nurtured. Oscar's fad has been that they should never go to school until they were thoroughly robust physically. The consequence is that their education has been directed, so far, exclusively by the father and mother. Mr. Wilde would never have a tutor at his house, or indeed, for that matter, a male servant of any description. It is a notice-able fact that at all his great dinners Mr. Wilde's guests are alway s served by women waiters.
"These boys are such perfect gentlemen. Their home life is so well ordered. I remember on one occasion asking Vivian whether he had been to see a certain one of his father’s plays. His reply was so astounding that I have never forgotten it. ‘No,' he said, ‘there are certain epigrams in that play which mama doesn't think it fit for me to hear.' Imagine that baby discussing epigrams!
"These boys are such perfect gentlemen. Their home life is so well ordered. I remember on one occasion asking Vivian whether he had been to see a certain one of his father's plays. His reply was so astounding that I have never forgotten it. 'No,' he said, 'there are certain epigrams in that play which mamma doesn't think it fit for me to hear.' Imagine that baby discussing epigrams!
"These boys are such perfect gentlemen. Their home life is so well ordered. I remember asking Vivian whether he had been to see a certain one of his father's plays. His reply was so astounding that I have never forgotten it. ‘No,' he said, ‘there are certain epigrams in that play which mama doesn't think it fit for me to hear.' Imagine that baby discussing epigrams!"
"Mr Wilde never discussed morals with me except so far as his boys were concerned. He spoke of them with such pride and looked on them so lovingly. He emphasized again and again the wish that they should be strong physically. He deprecated their associations with other children, and was especially happy in the thought that the mother had taught them everything. And they are so fond of him, so proud of him, so happy in his society. I vow I could shed bitter tears as I think of all these things.
"Mr. Wilde never discussed morals with me except so far as his boys were concerned. He spoke of them with such pride and looked on them so lovingly. He emphasized again and again the wish that they should be strong physically. He deprecated their association with other children, and was especially happy at the thought that their mother had taught them everything. And they are so fond of him; so proud of him; so happy, in his society. I vow I could shed bitter tears as I think of all these things.
"Whatever occured between his brother and myself never affected our friendship. I had been his first friend in America, and then when he moved into Tite st I was at his house-warming. I ever found him a courteous, splendid gentleman.
"So far as affairs of gallantry with women are concerned, the breath of scandal has never touched him. He was always strictly exact about money matters. He was never in his life under the influence of liquor. He drinks like a gentleman. His wife is just as free from all scandal.
"Undoubtedly they'll make a severe example of him. In England, these things have been going on too long not to react most fearfully upon the first man to be definitely found out. How odd it must be for him to be in jail!
"Undoubtedly they'll make a severe example of him. In England, these thing have been going on too long not to react most fearfully upon the first man to be definitely found out. How odd it must be for him to be in jail!
"But he's plucky - he's no coward. I remember when a certain editor said of him in print that he was so conceited that he ought to be kicked Mr Wilde rose early the next morning, went down to the editor’s office and told him that he would break his head then and there unless he printed a retraction. It is needless to say that the retraction was duly published. You see, Mr Wilde is so clever that he has made as many enemies as friends.
"But he's plucky-he's no coward. I remember when a certain editor said of him in print that he was so conceited that he ought to be kicked Mr. Wilde rose early the next morning, went down to the editor's office and told him that he would break his head then and there unless be printed a retraction. It is needless to say that the retraction was duly published. You see, Mr. Wilde is so clever that be has made as many enemies as friends.
"I want to say that the reports in circulation to the effect that Mr Wilde is slovenly in his dress are utterly untrue. Without being ultra-fashionable in his attire, he is one of the best dressed men in London. His linen is always immaculate. He now wears his hair cropped close, and in all respects might pass anywhere as a well groomed, sensible English gentleman.
"He is a hard worker, too. Indeed, it is hard for me to conceive that he could be the low debauchee he is pictured, without having thrown some of the contamination upon his home. And yet the fact is that his home is one of the most beautiful and well ordered in England. He always seemed to me to have the highest moral tone. Time and time again I have heard him reprobate evil in terms of withering scorn. Mr Wilde is in the enjoyment of a large income derived principally from royalties upon his plays."