The herald., 1895-03-10
FOR LIBELING OSCAR WILDE
The Marquis of Queensbury in the Police
Court in London
The rlan Whom Prize Fights Are Named
After, Makes Statement-r1r. Wilde
on the Stand

London, March 9.-The Marquis of
Queensbury was today, at the Marlbor-
ough street police court, formally COM
mitted for trial by Mr.. Newton, the sit
ting magistrate, on the charge of having
libeled Oscar Wilde, in leaving at the
Marlborough Club on February 2sth a
card upon which was written disagreed
BILE epithet. The Marquis declared in
court that he wrote the card simply to
bring matters to a head and save his son.
Mr.. Edward Carson, @. c., M. P,
formerly Solicitor General for Ireland,
defended the Marquis of Queensbury.
The court was crowded with we'll known
people.
Oscar Wilde, who wore a long dark
blue overcoat, drove to the police court in
great style in carriage with footman
and coachman. Accompanying Mr.
Wilde was Lord Alfred Douglass son of
the Marquis of Queensbury, but he was
not allowed to remain in court during
the examination of Mr.. Wilde.
Mr.. Wilde was finally placed on the
stand and began his evidence with an air
of languid holiness. When he was asked
if he was Oscar Wilde, the author and
dramatist, the witness replied: 81 think
l am well known"
This remar made Mr.. Newton inter-
pose sharply, saying: ANSWER the ques-
ton, please"
Thereupon the plaintiff replied: eyes"
The reproof of the magistrate caused
Mr.. Wilde to assume less important air.
Replying to questions put to him by his
counsel, plaintiff said that he first be-
came acquainted with the Marquis of
Queensbury in 1898. He remem bered
lunching with Lord Alfred Douglass, who
is the Marquis second son, and who was
born in 1870, in the cafe Royal during the
month of October, 1892, when the defend
ant entered the room and by invitation of
his son sat down at the same table. Con-
tinuing, Mr.. Wilde said he did not see the
Marquis of Queensbury again until 1893.
when he and Lord Alfred Douglass were
lunching in the same cafe. The defend
ant upon that occasion shook hands with
both Mr.. Wilde and his son, and the wit
ness invited the Marquis to join them.
At this stage of the proceedings counsel
for Mr.. Wilde handed him letter. and
the witness was asked if such docu-
ment had been placed in his hands by
Lord Alfred Douglass shortly afterwards.
The magistrate here remarked that he
thought this document should be placed
in evidence.
Mr. Carson, counsel for the Marquis,
interposed saying that he did not object
to the letter being put in evidence: On
the contrary he preferred that it should
be brought before the court, as he wished
to show that the Marquis was acting in
the interest OF his son.
Mr. Newton said that he could not
then enter into the question.
Mr., Carson objected to this and asked
that the document be put in evidence in
order that the matter might be investi-
gated in the fullest manner possible
Counsel for Mr.. Wilde said that it was
not intended that the letter should be
read in court, as the name of exalted
persons were mentioned and he did not
think it right that their names should
transpire. Counsel also explained that
the mysterious letter was introduced with
the view of charging the Marquis of
Queensbury with additional libel, but as
Mr.. Newton insisted that in that case the
letter should be read in court, coun sci for
the plaintiff withdrew the letter.
Mr.. Wilde then continued his evidence.
The testifying as to how he was handed
the card of the Marquis of Queensbury,
upon which were written the abusive
words, by porter at the Albemarle Club.
Mr.. Carson then cross-examined the
witness in regard to his acquaintance with
Lord Alfred Douglass, saying that he
wished to show that the object of the Mar
quis was to end the acquaintanceship of
his son with the plaintiff.
The magistrate said he considered this
defense to be plea of justification and
did not allow Mr., Carson to proceed.
The Marquis of Queensbury was then
asked If he had anything to say, where
upon he arose and declared that he wrote
the card simply to bring matters to
head and save my son.
He added: II abide by what 1
wrote
The Marquis was then formally COM
mitted for trial, bail being allowed in
f1500