New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-04
WILDE ACT. QUEENSBERRY.
THE OLD BAILEY CROWDED TO HEAR
THE PLAINTIFFS TESTIMONY.
on THE WITNESS STAND.

on THE WITNESS STAND.
London April The Central Criminal Court Old
Bailey. densely packed with people long before
the hour Of opening to-day. the attraction being the
trial OF the action OF Oscar Wilde against the Mar
outs Of Queensberry for libel. Oscar Wilde, wear
ing light blue overcoat, entered the courtroom IN
company with his solicitor, MIR. Humphreys. lie
resolutely maintained air OF unconcern, despite
the fact that everybody was staring at him. and
took a seat In front Of Sir Edward Clarke. who
conducted the prosecution. The Marquis of Queens
berry was defended by Edward II. Carson. and Mr..
Besley watched the proceedings on behaf OF Loro
Douglas of Hawick Justice Collins took has seat
on the bench promptly at 1880 a m and the case
called.
The Marquis Of Queensberry entered the dock.
and in answer to the usual questions pleaded not
guilty. adding that the so-caed libei was true ana
had been made known in the public interest
Sir Edward Clarke. in opening the case reviewed
the evidence taken in the police court dwelling on
the writing the card which constituted the libel
complained Of The gravity of the case, he said
consisted in the fact that the libes had extended
over a long period of time. Several persons impl-
Gated in the charges made would be called to deny
whatever the Marquis might say on cross-eXamina-
ton.
At this point the Marquis who with clenched
fists sat glazing at Mr.. Wilde. made movement
though he intended 10 attack him. and he would
undoubtedly have done had 1t not been for the
persons between them.
been a close friend Of the Queensberry family until
1880 when he learned that offensive statements
were being made against him by n man named
Wood. who had either stolen or found some letters
written by Mr.. Wilde 70 Lord Alfred Douglas
Wood offered return these letters for money ana
afterward. Woods earnest entreaty. Mr. Wide
paid mis- fare 10 America Later Mr. Wilde learned
that TWO men named Knebly and Allen pretended
TO have in their possession compromising letters
but Mir. Wilde refused TO purchase them. Mr.
Wide. he said. admitted having written III le3 an
extravaeani letter to Lord Afrei Douslls in answer
to a poem the latter had written. Despite the SEN
timents expressed IN this letter the jury must take
into consideration the artistic circle In which Hir
Wilde moved Mr.. Wilde himself described the
letter as prose sonnet" In 1893 the Marquis OF
Queensberry openly libelled Mr.. Wilde in the lat
ter's own house and was shown TO the door in the
presence OF the servants and further Ambulance
refused to him. The annoyance was aggravated by
the behavi of the Marquis of Queensberry on the
first night OF the production of any OF MI WlIdes
plays.
Mr. Wilde was then called 10 the stand and de-
tailed his relations with the family Of the Mar
Quis. He testified that Wood produced three ie'-
tiers. which of no Importance. Afterward' IN
response TO a strong appeal from Wood, he gave
fl5 10 him with which to 60 to America. Later
Allen brought him copy ID one OF these letters
which had been sent Mr.. Beerbohm Tree Allen
demanded fSO for the letter. Mr.. Wilde laughed at
never received as much $50 for his own snort
prose writings. He told Allen he had better sell
the letter to somebody else. Mr.. Tree had handed
10 him what purported TO be copy OF letter
written by Mr.. Wilde When the Marquis Of Queens
berry called at his house in 1898 Mr.. Wilde asked
him whether he had come apologize. but Queens
berry instead of apoogizing reiterated his charges,
saying: IF ever catch you with my son again
will thrash you" Mr.. Wide replied TO the Mar
quis: Il don't know the Queensberry rules, but the
oscar Wilde rules short and at sight Inc lei
tiers you have written about me are Infamous You
are trying 10 ruin your through me- Ihen
when they in the hall he said 10 servant
This is the Marquis of Queensberry, the most IN
famous brute in London. DO not let him enter the
house again
Mr. Wilde said that the charges against him were
He was then cross examined by Mr. Carson Re
ferring to his publication, Philosophy for the
Youns" Mr. Carson asked Mr. Wilde If he believed 90
rarely write what believe Is true the man
Allen he said. when endeavoring to obtain money
for the copy Of the letter in his possession had r.,
marked that II might bear a curious meaning. 10
this he replied: Art Is rarely intellgibie TO the
criminal classes" He gave the lis to Wood be-
Lord Alfred Douglas had asked him TO assist
the He admitted that he thought the matter
backmail. yet he gave Is. besides his dinner
10 Wood the next day and saw him of for
America. He again denied all charges of miscon-
duct . -
perfect composure He frequently ran his fingers
through his hair, habit which is peculiar TO him
Several times ne propounded paradoxes TO Mr..
Carson and in the course of the questioning con-
tended that the letter addressed to Lord Alfred
Douglas beautiful. but that IL could not be
judged letter, apart from art he did not
adore any except himself, nor did ne believe
that any book affected the conduct of It's reader.
Mr.. Wilde's cross-eXa mination was not finished
when the court adjourned for the day.
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