3 Apr 1895 - The Echo (London)
Page 3, Column 2, Link
Quite an hour before the day's business opened at the Old Bailey this moring people were using every effort to gain admission to the old Court, in which such cases as come before Her Majesty's judges are usually tried. With the exception, perhaps, of some strangers in the gallery, admission was limited to representatives of the Bar, Corporation, magnates, and people actually concerned in the case that was down for hearing - that of "Wilde v. Queensberry." The Marquis of Queensberry, it will be remembered, stood committed from the Marlborough-street Police-court on a charge of libelling Mr. Oscar Fingal O'Flaherty Wilde, playwright. The case came on late in the present Sessions because a plea of justification had been put in, and would, in fact, have gone over to the next Sessions had not both parties been anxious to have it disposed of forthwith.
COUNSEL IN THE CASE [edit]
The counsel for the prosecution were Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., M.P., Mr. Charles Mathews, and Mr. Travers Humphres; the accused was represented by Mr. Carson, Q.C., M.P., Mr. C. F. Gill, and Mr. A. Gill; while Mr. Besley, Q.C., and Mr. Monckton watched the case on behalf of Lord Douglas of Hawick, son of the Marquis of Queensberry.
The accused entered the Court shortly after ten o'clock in company with his solicitor, Mr. Charles Russell. Mr. Oscar Wilde, who appeared ten minutes later, was also accompanied by his solicitor, Mr. Humphreys. By that time the Court was crowded almost to suffocation, and scores of barristers were unable to obtain seats.
Mr. Justice Collins took his seat on the Bench at half-past ten o'clock. The judge was accompanied on the Bench by Alderman Sir Reginald Hanson, Bart., M. P., Alderman Faudel PHillips, Alderman Davies, Alderman Vaughan Morgan, and Alderman and Sheriff Samuel.
THE MARQUIS'S PLEA [edit]
The accused took his seat at once in the dock, and, in answer to the customary question, pleaded "not guilty," and put in a further plea of justification.
SIR E. CLARKE'S OPENING SPEECH [edit]
In opening the case for the prosecution Sir Edward Clarke pointed out the enormous gravity of the accusation levelled agaisnt Mr. Wilde by the Marquis of Queensberry. But the defendant's plea raised a much graver issue, for in the that plea it was alleged that the complainant had solicited various persons to commit an offence. It was for those who had put those allegations in the plea to prove them to the satisfaction of the jury. The learned counsel then briefly traced the career of Mr. Wilde, who was, he said, a son of Sir William Wilde, and had had a brilliant University career both at Dublin and at Oxford. In 1882 he published a volume of poems, laughted at by some but appreciated by many, and, at all events, representing the thoughts of a man of high culture. In 1891 he was introduced to Lord Alfred Douglas, a son of the defendant, and from that time he had been the friend, not only of Lord Alfred, but of Lord Douglas of Hawick, and of the mother of those gentlemen. Up to 1892 Mr. Wilde did not know the defendant, with the excedption of a meeting about 1881.
THE LUNCH AT THE CAFE ROYAL [edit]
In November 1892, Mr. Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas were lunching together at the Cafe Royal, when the defendant entered, and at Mr. Wilde's suggestion the son shook hands with his father, and seemed to be reconciled. The three had a firendly chat, and parted good friends. Mr. Wilde did not see the Marquis again until early in 1894. But meanwhile Mr. Wilde became aware of statements that had been made affecting his character. Some letters of Mr. Wilde's and of Lord Alfred Douglas were being handed about, and a man named Wood was represented as desiring to be assisted to America. As a matter of fact, Mr. Wilde gave Wood some assistance.
"IT IS A WORK OF ART" [edit]
At that time Mr. Wilde's play, A Woman of No Importance, was being prepared for the Haymarket Theatre. One day Mr. Beerbohm-Tree received a note requesting him to forward to Mr. Wilde what purported to be a copy of an incriminating letter written by Mr. Wilde. Mr. Tree sent it on. Shortly afterwards a man named Allen brought Mr. Wilde the original, and wanted to sell it; but Mr. Wilde replied, "It is a work of art. I shoul dhave desired to possess a copy. Now you have been good enough to send me a copy, I don't want the original." (Laughter) There was another letter written to Lord Alfred Douglas, and couched in poetical language, which could not, the learned counsel suggested, by properly appreciated by people accustomed only to commercial correspondence. (Laughter) That letter was not capable of the base interpretation that had been placed upon it.
AN EXTRACT FROM THE LETTER [edit]
Mr. Wilde addressed Lord Douglas as "My own boy," and, after referring to his sonnet as quite lovely, went on :-
"Why are you alone in London, and when do you go to Salisbury? Do go there and cool your hand in the grey twilight of Gothic things. Come when ever you like, but go to Salisbury first. With undying love."
The words of the letter, observed Sir Edward, appeared extravagant to those who were only in the habit of writing commercial correspondence (laughter), or those wordy letters which the necessities of life forced upon one every day. It was a letter of which Mr. Wilde was in no way ashamed, and with regard to any imputation that might be associated with it, he was absolutely indifferent. He said it was the expressino of poetical feeling, and had no relation whatever to the hateful suggestions which were made. In the middle of 1894 there was an interview between the complainant and the defendant upon which he would not dwell.
REFUSED A SEAT AT THE HAYMARKET [edit]
On Feb. 14th last Mr. Wilde's play, The Importance of Being Earnest, was being produced at the St. James's Theatre. Lord Queensberry had paid for a seat, but his money was returned when he presented himself at the theatre with a bouquet composed of vegetables. He even tried to get into the gallery, but the police prevented him. There was reason to fear that the defendant would make a disturbance at the performance in the same way as he rasied a protest on behalf of Agnosticism at the production of Lord Tennyson's Promise of May. Nothing more was heard until February 28th, when Mr. Wilde had occasion to visit the Albemarle Club, fo which he was a member.
THE CARD AT THE ALBEMARLE [edit]
The porter handed to Mr. Wilde a card that had been left by Lord Queensberry, and upon that card the charge against the defendant turned. He (Sir Edward Clarke) did not intend to mention the names alluded to in the pleadings, but he would deal with certain suggestions made in those pleadings that Mr. Wilde was the writer, or at all events the publisher, of articles of a remarkable and unnatural tendency. One of the publications called in question was the "Picture of Dorien Gray" a book that, strangely enough, had been publicly sold for several years. The learned counsel outlined the story, and defied the other side to prove that the uathor had done more than use the novelist's privilege to pourtray the vices and passions of human nature.
THE FIRST WITNESS [edit]
Sidney Wright, hall porter at the Albemarle Club, examined by Mr. Mathews, deposed that on February 18th the defendant handed him a card, upon which he wrote words accusing the complainant of a serious crime. The defendant requested him to give it to Mr. Wilde. The witness placed the card in an envelope and kept it until Feb. 28th, when Mr. Wilde visited the club. He then handed the envelope with the card to Mr. Wilde.
MR. WILDE IN THE BOX [edit]
Mr. Oscar Wilde was next sworn. In answer to Sir E. Clarke, he said he was 39 years old. He was formerly a student at Trinity College, Dublin, and at Oxford. He won several honours, including the Newdigate Prize for English verse. He took his degree in 1878. From that time he had devoted himself to art and literature. He had lectured in England and America, and written many essays. During the last few years he had paid speical attention to dramatic literature. Four of his plays were produced between February, 1892, and February, 1895. He had written articles on different subjects. In 1884 he married Miss Lloyd, and had lived with her ever since at Tite-street, Chelsea, Worthing, Torquay, and elsewhere. In 1891 he made the acquaintance of Lord Alfred Douglas. He had been Lady Queensberry's guest at Wokingham and Salisbury. He had been on friendly terms with Lord Douglas of Hawick. Lord Alfred Douglas had been with him to Tite-street and the Albemarle Club. They had also stayed together at Cromer, Worthing, and Torquay. In November, 1892, he was lunching with Lord Alfred Douglas at the Cafe Royal, and he effected what appeared to be a reconciliation between Lord Alfred and the Marquis of Queensberry. He did not see Lord Queensberry again until March, 1894.
THE LETTERS [edit]
In 1893 a man named Wood met him at the rooms of Mr. Taylor, who showed him some letters, and suggested that he wanted money for them. The witness said he did not consider they were of any value at all. Wood made a very strong appeal to enable him to go to New York. The witness gave him ₤15 for his passage to New York, and the interview ended. In April, 1893, a man named Allen called at his house, produced a copy of a letter, and said a very "curious construction" could be placed upon the letter, whereupon the witness replied that art was rarely intelligible to the masses. Allen valued it at ₤60, and the witness said he was very glad to find that it was so highly appreciated. (Laughter) The witness declined to pay anything for the letter, but gave Allen half a sovereign on account of his poverty. That letter was the basis of a French poem that he afterwards published. Afterwards a man named Taylor visited him, and otld him that Allen had given him the letter. The witness expressed regret that an original document of his should not be taken better care of. (Laughter) He gave Tyler half-a-sovereign. The letter remained in his possession. Early in 1894 he was lunching with Lord Alfred Douglas at the Cafe Royal, and Lord Queensberry joined them. They chatted on various subjects.
AN INTERVIEW WITH LORD QUEENSBERRY [edit]
In June, 1894, there was an interview between him and Lord Queensberry at Tite-street. A gentleman with whom he was not acquainted accompanied Lord Queensberry. "I said", stated the witness, "I suppose you hae come to apologise for the statements you have made about my wife. I could have you up any day I chose for criminal libel. He said 'The letter was privileged; it was written to my son.' Lord Queensberry further stated that he (witness) and Lord Alfred Douglas were disgusting, and the witness replied that he lied. At that interview Lord Queensberry said that if he caught witness and Lord Alfred Douglas again in a restraurant he would thrash witness. Witness said, "I do not know what Queensberry ruled are; the Oscar Wilde rules are shoot at sight." The defendant refused to leave the house, and witness said to a servant, pointing to the defendant, "This is the Marquis of Queensberry - the most infamous brute of London. If the attempte to come in again you must send for the police."
Sir E. Clarke - Was there any foundation for the statement that you and the son were compelled to leave the Savoy Hotel? - Witness: Perfectly unfounded.
Were you aware of what had taken place at the production of the Promise of May? - Yes.
Were you present at the production of the play, The Importance of Being Earnest? - Yes.
You took no further proceedings after the incident there? - No.
In answer to further questions, the witness said that after receiving the card at the Albemarle Club he insturcted his solicitor.
Sir E. Clarke - Had you anything to do with the ownership of a magazine called the Chameleon? - No.
Had any anything to do with the article entitled "The Priest and the Acolyte"? - No.
Was "Dorien Gray" widely noticed and reviewed? - Oh yes.
And has it been in ciruculation ever since? - Yes.
Is there any truth whatever in any of the accusations in the plea? - No truth whatever.
Mr. Carson - How old is Lord Alfred Douglas? - He was 24 last birthday.
Was Lord Queensberry friendly with you up to the interview in Tite-street? - Yes.
You had no doubt whatever, after that interview, that rightly or wrongly, he did not wish your association with his son to continue? - Yes.
Where did you go with Lord Alfred Douglas? - Oxford, Brighton, Cromer, and various parts of London.
Did Lord Douglas stay in your chambers in St. James's place? - Yes
I believe you also went abroad with him? - Several times. We went to Monte Carlo.
Have you read "The Priest and the Acolyte?" - Yes
Do you approve of it? From a literary point of view, I do not.
Then you do not think it is immoral? - It is worse. (Laughter)
Did you think the story blasphemous? - I did not. It is horrible and disgusting - those are the words.
The learned counsel proceeded to quote passages from the article, and said, "Do you think anyone could defend that article? - No; I should say it was very had literary taste.
Notwithstanding this article, you did not think it necessary to dissaociate yourself from the magazine? - No, I don't myself believe that any book or work of art has any effect upon conduct at all.
You don't concern yourself about the morality or immorality of a book? - I don't believe any book or work of art produces any effect on the conduct.
You do not consider the effect when you write? - Certainly not.
As to your works, you pose as not being concerned about morality or immorality. The aim is to try and make the thing have some quality of beauty or of emotion? - I really think anything I write is true. (Laughter) With regard to the story of "Dorian Gray," he said additions were made to it when published in volume form, and one in particular, in consequence of its being pointed out to witness taht the sin of Dorian Gray might be misconstrued.
The Court adjourned for luncheon.
"BRUTES AND THE ILLITERATE" [edit]
On the re-assembling of the Court the cross-examination of the complainant was resumed.
Mr. Carson - In your introduction to "Dorian Gray" you say, "There is no such thing as moral or immoral literature; a book is either good or bad"? - Yes
A novel suggesting a serious offence might be a good book according to you? - I don't know what you mean by such a book.
I suggest "Dorian Gray" - There are things that cannot be appreciated by brutes and the illiterate.
Mr. Carson read further passages from the novel, and the witness in every case repudiated the insinuation that felonious conduct was necessarily suggested.
Have you ever madly adored anyone? - No; but I have had an intense love for a person.
Have you never madly adored a beautiful person many years younger than yourself? - I have never adored anyone but myself (Laughter).
Have you ever been jealous? - No
Note: The Apr 4 article that proceeded this one was half cut off in his image at FindMyPast. If someone has access to the complete article, please share or transcribe here