Editing 3 Apr 1895 - The Echo (London) (section)

==<center>AN INTERVIEW WITH LORD QUEENSBERRY</center>==
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 <i>Promise of May?</i> - Yes.

Were you present at the production of the play, <i>The Importance of Being Earnest?</i> - 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 <i>Chameleon</i>? - 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.