The San Francisco Examiner - Sunday, April 7, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
OSCAR WILDE TO
STAY IN JAIL.
Remanded Until Next Thursday,
and the Judge Refuses to
Accept
Bail.
Preserving in the Police Court the
Insolent Demeanor Assumed
at the Old Bailey.
AWFUL STORIES OF THE WITNESSES.
Only
Once Did the Apostle of the Esthetic
Shrink Under the Ordeal to Which
He Was Subjected.
LONDON, April 6. - Oscar Wilde has been remanded and bail refused. Crowds of people besieged the neighborhood of Bow street this morning, and Bow-street Police Court was filled with interested spectators immediately after the doors were opened. Among those who succeeded in pressing their way into court was one good-looking middle-aged woman. All were anxious to see Oscar Wilde, whose arrest yesterday, following close upon the sensational termination of his suit for libel against the Marquis of Queensberry, is discussed on all sides. Wilde passed the night in a cell. Mr. C. F. Gill, who was Mr. Edward M. Carson's junior counsel in defense of the Marquis of Queensberry, acted as prosecutor to-day for the Treasury Department.
London, April 6 — Crowds beseiged the vicinity of Bow street early this morning, and the police court was killed with interested spectators as soon as the doors were opened. Among those who succeeded in pressing through the crowd was one good-looking middle-aged woman. All were anxious to see Oscar Wilde, whose arrest yesterday, following close upon the sensational termination of his suit for libel against the Marquis of Queensberry, is discussed on all sides. O. F. Gill, who was Edward M. Carson’s junior counsel in the defence of the Marquis of Queensberry, acted as prosecutor to-day for the treasury department.
LONDON, April 6. Crowds of people besieged the vicinity of Bow street early this morning, and the Police Court was filled with interested spectators as soon as the doors were opened. Among those who succeeded in pressing their way into court was one good-looking middle-aged woman. All were anxious to see Oscar Wilde, whose arrest yesterday, following close upon the sensational termination of his suit for libel against the Marquis of Queensberry, is discussed on all sides.
LONDON, April 6.—Crowds of people besieged the vicinity of Bow street early this morning, and the Police Court was filled with interested spectators as soon as the doors were opened. Among those who succeeded in pressing their way into Court was one good-looking middle-aged woman. All were anxious to see Oscar Wilde, whose arrest yesterday, following close upon the sensational termination of his suit for libel against the Marquis of Queensberry, is discussed upon all sides.
Sir John Bridge, presiding magistrate, took his seat on the bench at 11 o'clock. The doors leading to the cells were then closed, and Wilde was seen approaching with stately step and carrying a silk hat in his hand. When he reached the center of the prisoners' dock Wilde calmly deposited his hat on the seat, bowed to Sir John Bridge, folded his arms and leaned on the rail of the dock in the same insolent manner which he displayed while on the witness stand in the Old Bailey.
Sir John Bridge, the presiding magistrate, took his seat on the bench at 11 o'clock. The doors leading to the cells were then opened, and Wilde was seen approaching, carrying his silk hat in his hand. When he reached the centre of the prisoners’ dock he deposited his hat on a seat, bowed to Sir John Bridge, folded his arms and leaned on the rail in the same insolent manner that he displayed on the witness-stand in the Old Bailey.
Sir John Bridges, the presiding magistrate, took his seat on the bench at 11 o’clock, and the doors leading to the cells were then opened, and Wilde was seen approaching, carrying a silk hat in his hand. When he reached the centre of the prisoner’s dock he deposited his hat on a seat, bowed to Sir John Bridges, folded his arms and leaned on the rail in the same insolent manner he displayed on the witness stand in the Old Bailey.
C. F. Gill, who was Edward W. Carson's junior counsel in the defense of the Marquis of Queensberry, acted as prosecutor today for the Treasury Department. Sir John Bridge, the presiding magistrate, took his seat on the bench at 11 o'clock. The doors leading to the cells were then opened and Wilde was seen approaching carrying a silk hat in his hand. When he reached the centre of the prisoners' dock he deposited his hat on the seat, bowed to Sir John Bridge, folded his arms and leaned on the rail of the dock in the same insolent manner which he displayed while on the witness stand in the Old Bailey.
C. F. Gill, who was Edward M. Carson's junior counsel in the defense of the Marquis of Queensberry, acted as prosecutor to-day for the Treasury Department. Sir John Bridge, the presiding Magistrate, took his seat on the bench at 11 o'clock. The doors leading to the cells were then opened, and Wilde was seen approaching, carrying a silk hat in his hand. When he reached the centre of the prisoners' dock he deposited his hat on the seat, bowed to Sir John Bridge, folded his arms and leaned on the rail of the dock in the same insolent manner which he displayed while on the witness-stand in the Old Bailey.
Mr. C. F. Gill, who was Mr. Edward M. Carson's junior counsel in the defense of the Marquis of Queensberry case, acted as Prosecutor to-day for the Treasury Department. Sir John Bridge, the Presiding Magistrate, took his seat on the bench at 11 o'clock. The doors leading to the cells were then opened, and Wilde was seen approaching, carrying a silk hat in his hand. When he reached the center of the prisoner's dock he deposited his hat on the seat, bowed to Sir John Bridge, folded his arms and leaned on the rail of the dock in the same insolent manner which he displayed while on the witness stand in the Old Bailey.
C. F. Gill, who was Edward M. Carson's junior counsel in the defense of the Marquis of Queensberry, acted as prosecutor to-day for the Treasury Department. Sir John Bridge, the presiding magistrate, took his seat on the bench at 11 o'clock. The doors leading to the cells were then opened and Wilde approached, carrying a silk hat in his hand. When he reached the centre of the prisoners' dock he deposited his hat on the seat, bowed to Sir John Bridge, folded his arms and leaned on the rail of the dock in the same insolent manner which he displayed while on the witness stand in the Old Bailey.
Mr. Gill said he appeared to prosecute the prisoner on a series of charges.
HIS RELATIONS WITH TAYLOR.
The prosecutor then related how, in 1893, when Wilde was staying at the Savoy Hotel, Alfred Taylor, who was arrested to-day, acted as for Wilde, who repeatedly visited Taylor's house and introduced him to a young man named Parker.
The prosecutor then related how, in 1893, when Wilde was staying at the Savoy Hotel, Alfred Taylor, who was arrested to-day, acted as procurer for Wilde, who repeatedly visited Taylor's house. Continuing, Mr. Gill said that the prosecution proposed to show how Taylor approached a young man named Parker, who was a valet out of a position, and his brother, a groom.
Parker was here called to the stand, but the proceedings were interrupted by the official announcement that Taylor had been arrested. Ten minutes later Taylor was brought into court and was placed in the dock beside Wilde, who nodded to him. While Parker was giving this testimony Wilde moved restlessly in the dock and passed his hands across his face. Parker added that he was arrested with Taylor in 1894 in the house in Fitzroy square, but he claimed he had since abandoned his evil life.
Parker was here called to the stand, but the proceedings were interrupted by the official announcement that Taylor had been arrested. A few moments later Taylor was brought into court and placed in the dock beside Wilde, who nodded to him. Parker was then examined, and related at length, giving the most minute details, his intimacy with Wilde. He testified that he visited Wilde at the Savoy Hotel, at the Albermarle, at Wilde's chambers and at other addresses, at one time almost daily.
Parker gave the most minute details of his intimacy with Wilde. He testified that he visited Wilde at the Savoy Hotel, at the Albemarle, at Wilde’s chambers and at other addresses almost daily. While Parker was giving this testimony Wilde moved restlessly in the dock and passed his hands across his face. Parker added that he was arrested with Taylor in a raid in 1894 in a house in Fitzroy square, but he claimed that he had since abandoned his evil life.
Parker was then examined and related at length, giving the most minute details of his associations with Wilde. While he was giving this testimony Wilde moved restlessly in the dock and passed his hands across his face. Parker added that he was arrested with Taylor in the raid in 18914 in the house in Fitzroy Square, but he claimed that he had since abandoned his evil life.
Counsel for Wilde asked leave to postpone the cross-examination of Parker, as the evidence had taken them by surprise. Parker was then bound over to testify at the trial of Wilde, which is to take place in the Old Bailey. Parker was deadly pale when concluding his testimony and asked to be allowed to take a seat, as he was not feeling well.
Counsel for Wilde asked leave to postpone the cross-examination of Parker, as the evidence had taken them by surprise. Parker was then bound over to testify at the trial of Wilde, which is to take place in the Old Bailey.
Counsel for Wilde asked leave to postpone the cross-examination of Parker, as the evidence had taken them by surprise. Parker was then bound over to testify at the trial of Wilde, which is to take place in the Old Bailey.
WILDE STAND UP.
The woman previously referred to as having entered the courtroom was the next witness. She gave her name as Mrs. Grant, and said she let rooms to Taylor, who, she added, was visited by a number of young men.
The woman previously referred to as having entered the court-room was the next witness. She gave her name as Mrs. Grant, and said that she let rooms to Taylor, who, she added, was visited by a number of young men.
The woman previously referred to as having entered the courtroom early this morning was the next witness. She gave the name of Mrs. Grant, and said she let rooms to Taylor, who, she added, was visited by young men.
Mrs. Grant was then asked if she could identify Wilde as a visitor to Taylor's rooms. She replied that she could not. Thereupon Sir John Bridge said, brusquely:
Mrs. Grant was then asked if she could identify Wilde as a visitor to Taylor's rooms. She replied that she could not. Thereupon Sir John Bridge said brusquely:
Mrs. Grant was then asked if she could identify Wilde as a visitor to Taylor's rooms. She replied that she could not.
"Wilde, stand up!"
Wilde arose but the witness was still unable to recognise him. Replying to further questions, Mrs. Grant said that Taylor's rooms were well furnished and highly perfumed. Taylor, she added, dressed effeminately.
Replying to further questions. Mrs. Grant said that Taylor's rooms were well furnished and highly perfumed. Taylor, she added, dressed effeminately.
Wilde arose, but the witness was still unable to recognize him. But, replying to counsel's questions, she said that she remembered Taylor addressed one visitor as "Oscar." Replying to further questions Mrs. Grant said that Taylor's rooms were well furnished and highly perfumed. Taylor, she added, dressed effeminately.
Before Taylor left Mrs. Grant's rooms a sergeant of police once went to his apartments and secretly watched Tayor's proceedings. Sir John Bridge asked Taylor if he desired to ask the witness any questions, and the prisoner replied, "Not yet."
Willie Wilde, Oscar Wilde's brother, entered the court room at this stage of the proceedings and listened to the remainder of the evidence from the back of the room. Continuing, Woods said that Wilde afterwards gave him a deal of money and a watch and chain. Witness also said that soon afterwards, he told Taylor that he wanted to "get away from Wilde and these people."
Two young men gave damaging testimony and Wilde was remanded until Thursday next, bail being refused.
Rev. Archibald Douglas, brother of the Marquis of Queensberry, has written a letter saying that the statement credited to Lord Douglas of Hawick, eldest son of the Marquis, published in an interview, to the effect that every member of the family of the Marquis of Queensberry except the latter disbelieves absolutely and entirely the charges made against Oscar Wilde is unauthorized by his mother, his sister or himself. Rev. Mr. Douglas adds: "We certainly believe the charges against Wilde."
Rev. Archibald Douglas, brother of the Marquis of Queensberry, has written a letter saying that the statement credited to Lord Douglas of Hawick, eldest son of the Marquis, published in an interview in the Leader to-day, to the effect that every member of the family of the Marquis of Queensberry, except the latter, disbelieves absolutely and entirely all the charges made against Oscar Wilde, is unauthorized by his mother, his sister or himself. Rev. Archibald Douglas adds: "We certainly believe the charges against Wilde."
The Rev. Archibald Douglas, brother of the Marquis of Queensberry, has written a letter saying that the statement credited to Lord Douglas of Hawicke, eldest son of the Marquis, published in an interview in the Leader to-day, to the effect that every member of the family of the Marquis of Queensberry except the latter disbelieve absolutely and entirely all the charges made against Oscar Wilde, is unauthorized by his mother, his sister, or himself. The Rev. Archibald Douglas adds: "We certainly believe the charges made against Wilde."
London, April 6– The Rev. Archibald Douglas, brother of the Marquis of Queensberry, has written a letter saying that the statement credited to Lord Douglas at Hawick, eldest son of the marquis, published in an interview in the Leader, to-day, to the effect that every member of the family of the Marquis of Queensberry, except the latter, disbelieve absolutely and entirely all the charges made against Oscar Wilde, is unauthorized by hs other, his sister or himself. The Rev. Archibald Douglas adds: "We certainly believe the charges made against Wilde."
Rev. Archibald Douglas, brother of the Marquis of Queensberry, has written a letter saying that the statement credited to Lord Douglas, of Hawick, eldest son of the Marquis, published in an interview in the Leader today, to the effect that every member of the family of the Marquis of Queensberry, except the latter, disbelieve absolutely and entirely all the charges made against Oscar Wilde, is unauthorized by his mother, his sister, or himself. Rev. Archibald Douglas adds:
Sir Archibald Douglass, brother of the Marquis of Queensbury, has written a letter saying that the statement credited to Lord Douglas of Hawick, eldest son of the Marquis, published in an interview in the Leader today to the effect that every member of the family of the Marquis of Queensberry, except the latter, disbelieve absolutely and entirely all the charges made against Wilde, is unauthorized by his mother, his sister or himself. Sir Archibald Douglas adds:
The Rev. Archibald Douglas, brother of the Marquis of Queensberry, has written a letter saying that the statement credited to Lord Douglas of Hawick, eldest son of the Marquis, published in an interview in the Leader to-day, to the effect that every member of the family of the Marquis of Queensberry, except the latter, disbelieve absolutely and entirely all the charges made against Oscar Wilde, is unauthorized by his mother, his sister or himself.
Sir Archibald Douglass, brother of the Marquis Queensberry, has written a letter saying that the statement credited to Lord Douglass of Hawick, the eldest son of the Marquis of Queensberry that all the family the latter disbelieve absolutely and entirely all charges made against Oscar Wilde, is unauthorized by his mother, his sister or himself. Sir Archibald Douglass adds: "We certainly believe the charge made against Wilde."
The charge against Wilde is being prosecuted under the Criminal Law Amendment Act, which classifies his offense as a misdemeanor, the minimum sentence for which is two years' imprisonment for each conviction.
The charge against Wilde is being prosecuted under the criminal Law Amendment act, which classes his offence as a misdemeanor, the maximum penalty for which is two years imprisonment for each conviction.
The charge against Wilde is being prosecuted under the Criminal Law Amendment act, which classes his offence is a misdemeanor, the maximum penalty for which is two years’ imprisonment for each conviction.
The charge against Wilde is meantime being prosecuted under the Criminal Law Amendment Act, which classes his offense as a misdemeanor, the maximum penalty for which is two years imprisonment for each conviction.
The charge against Wilde is meantime being prosecuted under the Criminal Law Amendment act, which classes his offence as a misdemeanor, the maximum penalty for which is two years’ imprisonment for each conviction.
The charge against Wilde is meantime being prosecuted under the Criminal Law Amendment act, which classes his offence as a misdemeanor, the maximum penalty for which is two years imprisonment for each conviction.
The charge against Wilde is meantime being prosecuted under the Criminal Law Amendment Act, which classes his offence as a misdemeanor, the maximum of penalty for which is two years imprisonment for each conviction.
The charge against Wilde is meantime being prosecuted under the criminal law amendment act, which classes his offence as a misdemeanor, the maximum penalty for which is two years imprisonment for each continuation.
The charge against Wilde is meantime being prosecuted under the criminal law amendment act, which classes his offence as a misdemeanor, the maximum penalty for which is two years imprisonment for each continuation.
The charge against Wilde is meantime being prosecuted under the Criminal Law Amendment act, which classes his offense as a misdemeanor, the maximum penalty for which is two years' imprisonment for conviction.
The charge against Wilde in the meantime is being prosecuted under the criminal law amendment act, under which his offense is a misdemeanor, the maximum penalty being two years for each conviction.
Taylor, when arrested to-day, preserved his cheerful demeanour and asked the detective who took him into custody what his sentence was likely to be.
Taylor, when arrested to-day, preserved his cheerful demeanour and asked the detective who took him into custody what his sentence was likely to be.
Taylor was arrested today and preserved his cheerful demeanor, and asked the detective who took him into custody what the sentence was likely to be.
Taylor was arrested to-day and preserved his cheerful demeanor and asked the detective who took him into custody what the sentence was likely to be.
The Sun of this city says another sensational arrest is probable before Thursday next, the day when Willie will be brought up at Bow-street police court.
The Sun, of this city, says that another sensational arrest is probable before Thursday next, the day when Wilde will be brought up at Bow Street Police Court.
The Sun, of this city, says that another sensational arrest is probable before Thursday next, the day when Oscar Wilde will be brought up at Bow Street Police Court on demand.
The Sun of this city says another sensational arrest is probable before Thursday, the day when Oscar Wilde will be brought up at Bow Street Police Court on remand.
The Sun of this city says that another sensational arrest is possible before Thursday next, the day when Oscar Wilde will be brought to Bow-street Police Court on remand.
The Sun of this city says that another sensational arrest is possible before Thursday next, the day when Oscar Wilde will be brought to Bow street police court on remand.
London, April 8.- The Sun, speaking of the Oscar Wilde case says that another sensational arrest is possible before Thursday, the day when Wilde's hearing will be resumed in the Bow street police court.
The Daily Telegraph says in a leader on Wilde’s case: "It was a just verdict, and must be held to include with Wilde the tendence of his peculiar school and the meaning and influence of his teachings, and all the shallow and specious arts by which he attempted to establish a cult and even set up new schools of literature and social thought."
The Daily Telegraph says in a leader on Wilde’s case: "It was a just verdict and must be held to include with Wilde the tendency of his peculiar career, the meaning and influence of his teachings, and all the shallow and specious arts by which he attempted to establish a cult, and even set up new schools of literature and social thought."
The Daily Telegraph will say tomorrow in a leader on Wilde’s case:— "It was a just verdict and must be held to include with Wilde the tendency of his peculiar career, the meaning and the influence of his teachings and all the shallow and specious arts by which he attempted to establish a cult and even set up new schools of literature and social thought."
London, April 6. — The Daily Telegraph says in a letter on Wilde’s case: "It was a just verdict and must be held to include with Wilde the tendency of his peculiar career. The meaning and the influence of his teachings, and all the shallow and specious arts by which he attempted to establish a cult and even set up few schools of literature and social thought."
LONDON, April 5.— The Daily Telegraph will say to-morrow, in a leader on Wilde's case: "It was a just verdict and must be held to include with Wilde the tendency of his peculiar career, the meaning and the influence of his teachings, and all the shallow and specious arts by which he attempted to establish a suite, and even set up new schools of literary and social thought."
"It was a just verdict and must be held to include with Wilde the tendency of his peculiar career, the meaning and influence of his teachings, and all the sallow and specious arts by which he attempted to establish a cult and even set up new schools of literature and social thought."
"It was a just verdict, and must be held to include with Wilde the tendency of his peculiar career, the meaning and the influence of his teachings, and all the shallow and specious arts by which he attempted to establish a cult and even set up new schools of literature and social thought."
"It was a just verdict and must be held to include with Wilde the tendency of his peculiar careeer, the meaning and the influence of his teachings, and all the shallow and specious arts by which he attempted to establish cult and even set up new schools of literature and social thought."
The Westminster Gazette, commenting on the result of Wilde's prosecution of the Marquis of Queensberry, says: "The case proves that it is untrue to say art has nothing to do with morality. Wilde’s art rests on a basis of rottenness and corruption."
The Westminster Gazette, commenting on the result of Wilde's prosecution of the Marquis of Queensberry. says: -"The case proves that it is untrue to say art has nothing to do with morality. Wilde's art rests on a basis of rottenness and corruption."
The Westminster Gazette, commenting on the result of Wilde’s prosecution of the Marquis of Queensberry, says: "The case proves that it is untrue to say that art has nothing to do with morality. Wilde’s art rests on a basis of rottenness and corruption."
The Westminster Gazette, commenting on the result of Wilde’s prosecution of the Marquis of Queensberry, says:— "This cave proves that it is untrue to say that art has noting to do with morality. Wilde’s art rests on a basis of rottenness and corruption."
The Westminster Gazette, commenting on the Wilde case says: The case proves that it is untrue to say art has nothing to do with morality. Wilde art rests on a basis of rottenness and corruption.
The Westminster Gazette, commenting on the Wilde case, says: "The case proves that it is unsafe to say that art has nothing to do with immorality. Wilde’s art rests on a basis of rottenness and corruption."
The Westminster Gazette, commenting on the Wilde case, says: It proves that it is untrue to say art has nothing to do with morality. Wilde's art rests on the basis of rottenness and corruption.
THE FAMILY OF DOUGLAS.
Did Lord Drumlanrig Know the Story of
Oscar Wilde?
[Copyright, 1895, by the New York World.]
LONDON, April 6. - If Oscar Wilde's indifference during the revelations in court today were assumed it was an excellent piece of acting. It seems certain he will be convicted. The minimum penalty for the offense with which he is charged is ten years’ imprisonment; the maximum penalty is penal servitude for life. There will be a demand for an exemplary sentence, as public sentiment is aroused against the group to which he belongs. Other prosecutions may follow.
Much sympathy is felt for Mrs. Wilde, who is a very estimable woman, and for his two beautiful children. A singular feature of English law is that even if her husband is convicted and sentenced to penal servitude Mrs. Wilde cannot get a divorce on either ground.
The "Chameleon Magazine," so often referred to, was horribly open in its practical defense of the crime. Much sympathy is felt for Mrs. Wilde, who is a very estimable lady, and for her two beautiful children. A curious feature of English law is that even if the husband is convicted and sent to penal servitude Mrs. Wilde cannot get a divorce on either ground.
Lord Archibald Douglas, speaking, it is understood, for his sister-in-law, the divorced wife of the Marquis of Queensberry and the mother of Lord Douglas of Hawick and of Lord Alfred Douglas, and also for his sister, lady Florence Dixie, vigorously denies to-day the statement of Lord Douglas of Hawick that all the family repudiate the action of the Marquis. Lord Archibald is a Catholic priest. The Marchioness of Queensberry is, happily perhaps, in Florence just now.
Lord Archibald Douglass, speaking, it is understood, for his sister-in-law, the divorced wife of the Marquis of Queensberry and mother of Lord Douglass, of Hawickw, and Alfred Douglass, and also for his sister, Lady Florence Dixie, vigorously denies to-day the statement of Lord Douglass that all the family repudiates the action of the Marquis. Lord Archibald is a Catholic priest. The Marchioness of Queensberry is, happily perhaps, absent in Florence just now.
There are queer stories afloat explaining the action of Lord Douglas in supporting his younger brother. The disclosures of this week also revived certain conjectures whispered at the time of the death of Lord Drumlanrig, of which a full account was cabled last October. The circumstances pointing to suicide are recalled and it is noticed that the testimony in the libel suit shows that his death corresponds with the period when his father first entered upon the pursuit of Oscar Wilde and when it must have been known to Lord Drumlanrig that the family scandal would shortly be exposed. He was about to be married, and occupied an enviable position in political life. It is a coincidence that Oscar Wilde and Mr. Carson and Mr. Gill, the leading counsel against him, as well as the Judge who tried the case, are all Irishmen, and all graduates of Trinity College, Dublin. Mr. Carson, who was Mr. Balfour's right-hand man throughout his coercive regime in Ireland, was a classmate of Wilde at the University, but whereas Oscar had a most distinguished course, Carson did not gain a single prize.
On October 21st the World contained the following:
The young Viscount Drumlanrig, who was found dead in a friend’s shooting court this week, had promise of a most brilliant public career. He had been Lord Rosebery's political secretary, had shown himself a capable worker and an effective speaker, and had social qualities of the highest order. Mr. Gladstone, at Lord Rosebery's request, gave him an English peerage last year as Baron Kelhead, although he would succeed his father, the Marquis of Queensberry, in the peerage of Scotland. He gave his first vote in the House of Lords for the Home Rule bill. The son's appointment was fiercely resented upon Lord Rosebery by his father, the eccentric Marquis, who actually, the then Foreign Secretary to Hamburg, and was only prevented by the police from bodily assaulting him. The Marquis was formerly one of the representative Scotch Peers entitled to a seat in the gilded chamber, but when he announced himself as an atheist he was defeated for re-election.
While it seems measurably certain that the Viscount shot himself accidentally, it is recalled that his uncle, Lord James Douglas, committed suicide less than a year ago, that his grandfather was also found dead in the court from a presumably similar accident, and that another uncle fell over an Alpine precipice. The eccentricities of his aunt, Lady Florence Dixie, and of another uncle, Lord Archibald Douglas, are constantly before the public. The newspapers received the same evening the news of his death, and the formal notice, posted just before, of his engagement to the daughter of General Ellis, Equery in Waiting to the Prince of Wales.
This morning the newspapers announce that his young stepmother, whom the Marquis married and who was until then unknown to English aristocratic society, has brought suit for the nullification of her marriage. I am told that the Marquis left her at the church door. Lord Sholto Douglas, the second son, who now succeeds to the viscountage, has been making a big fortune for himself in the new Australian gold fields, where he went as a prospector only a couple years ago.
WILDE'S FAMILY SCANDAL.
A Story in Which His Father Figures Most
Discreditably.
NEW YORK, April 6. - The Oscar Wilde case will revive the memory of the scandal in the Wilde family in Dublin some forty years ago, or about the time Oscar unfortunately came upon this sphere. Sir William Wilde, who was knighted by Queen Victoria for discoveries in oculism, was Oscar's father, and resided in that old and then aristocratic section of Dublin, Merion square. His reputation as an oculist was so great that he could afford to refuse to go to the most wealthy and distinguished patients. They had to go to him. Among others who did so was Miss Wilson, a highly cultivated young woman belonging to one of Dublin's aristocratic, but not over wealthy families.
The Oscar Wilde case will revive the memory of a scandal in the Wilde family in Dublin some 40 years ago, or about the time Oscar came upon this sphere. Sir William Wilde, who was knighted by Queen Victoria for discoveries in oculism, was Oscar's father, and resided in that old and then aristocratic, section of Dublin, Merion square. His reputation as an oculist was so great that he could afford to refuse to go to the most wealthy and distinguished patients. They had to go to him.
Sir William, after an examination, told her he would have to perform an operation which would necessitate her going under the influence of an anesthetic. Chloroform was the only thing of that kind then known, and this he administered. Miss Wilson claimed afterward that Sir William had taken advantage of her helpless condition. He denied this, and she brought a criminal action against him. Most of the Dublin people believed Miss Wilson’s story, but at the trial she was not able to bring any evidence except her own, and she had to admit that she was unconscious at the time of the alleged crime. The charge was dismissed for want of evidence, but a peculiar part of the case was that Sir William adopted her child, bringing it up and educating it in his own profession, that of an oculist.
Lady Wilde, whether she believed in her husband's innocence or not, was exceedingly kind to the boy, and subsequently he richly repaid her for this. Dr. Wilson became an even greater oculist than his master and reputed father, Sir William Wilde, and at the time of his death was in charge of St. Mark’s Ophthaimic Hospital, on Westland row, Dublin. Professor Wilson's death occured about ten years ago at the early age of thirty-two.
When Sir William Wilde died, at a much earlier date, he left very little estate and Lady Wilde found it difficult to get along. Her sons, Oscar and "Willie," both of whom have become so notorious from different causes, although both grown to man’s estate, could do little for her. Willie, the elder, was lazy, and Oscar spent his time dreaming and posing. Professor Wilson generously replenished the family treasury when it was empty, and Oscar, as well as the lazy Willie, freely allowed him to do so. It was, in reality, Professor Wilson who was so kind and generous to Lady Wilde in her difficulties. Oscar has been industrious of late years in spreading the report that he was very generous to his mother, and he made pretentious show of such filial conduct by ostentatiously sending flowers, fruit and cases of wine to his mother’s house. Even his "generosity" to his mother was a pose.
Willie usually loafed around and ate the fruit and drank the wine, so after all the old lady did not get much. Lady Wilde is herself a charming old lady and has many friends, who keep her supplied with all kinds of delicacies. To the kindness of these friends she owes more than to her sons, who would seem to have inherited a preponderance of the paternal blood, disposition and morals.
Many stories were told yesterday of Oscar Wilde when he was in this country. At that time he became well acquainted with an artist who lives in New York. "Wilde," remarked this gentleman, "often said that the ambition of his life was to write an obscene novel on artistic lines. This was long before he ever attempted to write a story. So it is quite evident that the novel ‘Dorian Gray’ was the product of a long cherished purpose, and secretly it must have gratified Oscar immensely to have put forth that production. When I read in the newspapers the other day that he followed with apparently great delight and satisfaction the reading of parts of that work by the Marquis of Queensberry's counsel, his often repeated ambition to produce such a work came back very forcibly to me. I believe that he still glories in it, and is proud of his unspeakable ‘cult.' It is wounded vanity, owing to defeat, that would alone crush him, and not any sense of shame, for he has absolutely none. I remember one night at Richfield Springs, during the summer that Oscar spent there. It was a moonlight night, and Oscar got a large, green umbrella, which he opened and held over his head to keep off the rays of the moon as he sat spread out in a large armchair on the porch of the Arlington Hotel. The ladies stopping at the hotel gathered around him, but he waved them off with the grand air of a langorous potenate or veiled prophet."
As for Wilde’s plays the general feeling is that it would be an unpardonable insult to the moral sense of New York to place or keep one of them on the stage.
Daniel Frohman has reconsidered his decision concerning Oscar Wilde's play, "An Ideal Husband," at the Lyceum Theatre. The play will be withdrawn after next week.
New York, April 6. - [Special.] - Daniel Frohman has reconsidered his decision concerning Oscar Wilde's play, "An Ideal Husband," at the Lyceum Theater. The play will be withdrawn after next week and the present company will open in "Fortune," a new play, Tuesday, April 10.