The herald., 1895-04-04
THE DUDE IND THE MARQUIS
Opening OF a Sensational Case
in Old Bailey Court
A NOBLEMAN LOOKS SHABBY
The SIander on the Man that Wore
Chrisanthemunls
A NOBLEMAN LOOKS SHABBY
Letters Upon Whict the Libel Is Based
introduced in the Court--Wiide's
Opinion OF Literature


before Justice Collins. Wilde charges the
marquis with LEAVING on February 2sth
an uncovered card at the Albermarle club
on which was written certain foul epi-
thets. As result Wilde on March %
caused the arrest of the marquis. and the
latter at the Marlborough street police
court was placed under $500 bail. The
court room was today crowded with law
yers. ADM ssion was obtained by tickets
only and the sheriff in charge showed
representative of the Associated Press a
pile of applications foot high many be-
ing from well known people. Rumors
were current in London yesterday that
Wilde had suddenly left the city to avoid
being present in court today, and reports
were also current that startling develop
ments would arise today but 9th rumors
were set at rest by the arrival in court of
the principals to the suit. The marquis,
who wore shabby overcoat, was placed
in the dock and answered TO the indlct-
ment by pleading first not guilty, and Sec
ondly that the libel was true and PUBLISH
ed for the public good.
The marquis seemed unconcerned, and
replying to the questions spoke quietly
and clearly. Sir Edward Clarke formerly
solicitor general, in opening the case SAID
that the card left at the Albemarle club
ouis of Queensberry. Continuing the
counsel said the gravest issues had been
raised. as the defendant in his peadlngs
ALLEGED that the plaintiff had for some time
solicited persons named to commit inde,
cont offenses Certain letters addressed
TO Lord Alfred Douglass, second son of
the Marquis Of Queensberry, were brought
TO the plaintiff by man who said he was
in distress, and Wilde gave him f20 with
which to pay his passage to America.
Another letter was handed Beerbohm
Tree, the actor, who gave it to the plaintiff.
Counsel then recounted the facts already
known in the case. showing that Wilde,
who had recently returned from Algiers,
drove up to the Albemarle club about
PM, February 2Sth, and OH entering was
handed an envelope by the nail porter
Sidney Wright, who sad Lord Queens
berry desired me, sir, to hand this to you
when YOU came to the club.
Inside the envelope the plaintiff found
card, on the back of which was date
'4:3O IS, 20, '95," and on this card were
written certain foul eplthets. which
formed the basis of the suit
Oscar Wilde was called. He languidly
arose from the solicitors table, where he
was seated, and entered the witness box.
The paintiff was faultlessly dressed in
black 'frock coat and carried gloves in his
hand, showing fingers covered with rings.
lie was very pale, but seemingly COM
posed. Wilde spoke with his customary
drawl leaning his arms upon the rail OF
the witness box and replying distinctly
to the questions. The jury. which was
composed of very intelligent men OF
elderly appearance, mainly prosperous
tradesmen, eyed him with curiosity.
The witness said that upon arriving at
his house a few months ago, he found two
gentlemen waiting in the library. One
was the Marquis OF Queensberlry, the
other unknown to the plaintiff. The
former said: 'Sit down. | replied:
"Ilord Queensoerry. | will not allow any
one to talk that way in my house. sup
pose you have come to apologize. 1t is
possible you accuse me and your son OF
sodomy." He replied: II don't say it,
but you look like it and appear like it. -
Counsel for the plaintiff then asked the
witness about the man to whom he had
given $40 with which to pay his passage
to America. The witness said: The
man told me he had been offered EGO for
accept it. But 1 finally gave him the
money in order to relieve his distress,
and lie gave me the letter.
The document referred to was here
produced in court and was handed to JUS
tice Collins. The letter referred to the
''rose-red lips of Lord Alfred Dougla IS,
and the writer addressed him as My
own boy,' and asked, ''Why are you
alone in London?" The letter was signed,
with undying love, Oscar Wilde. Coun-
sci, in explaining this letter, said it might
seem extravagant to those in the habit of
writing letters. But" he added, "it
was mere poetry" Laughter. Interest
N the case was increased when Sir Ed
ward Clarke, upon finishing direct exam
ination, turned the witness over to E. H.
Carson, Q. c., NJ. P, counsel for the
Marquis of QueensbeTy. fer cross-exam-
nation. Carson began his presentt tion
of the case for the Marquis by reading pas
sages from Dorian Gray, one of Oscar
Wildes novels of modern life. to show
the author upheld sodomy, plaintiff fol
lowing counsel with copy OF the book
and laughing at Carson insinuation.
Carson. addressing plaintiff, asked: do
you think the description of Dorian Gray,
given on page q, is moral one?"
Yes" replied Wilde, ''just what an
artist would notice in beautiful per-
sonaity."
did you ever adore madly, as described
in Dorian Gray, any person of the male
sex younger than yourself?'' was the
next question.
In reply Wilde said: II took the idea
from Shakespeare sonnets.," During
his portion of the proceedings the Mar
quis OF Queensberry followed his counsel
with copy OF Dorian Gray in his hands,
with seeming, enjoyment. Wilde testified
the man to whom he gave EGO on receipt
OF the letter in which he referred to
''rose red lips" of Lord Douglass which
amount was used TO pay his passage to
America, was named Wood.
Replying to questions by Mr.. Carson,
Wilde said the letter to Lord Alfred was
merely 'poetcal" and he added he had
'undying love" for Lord Alfred, who he
claimed was his best friend. Witness
denied having misconducted himself with
Wood. Later, he added, he was intro
duoed to him by Lord Alfred, who asked
him to befriend man. Wilde and Wood,
it was shown also by ross-examination,
addressed each other by their Christian
names
1t was developed in writing that he did
not concern himself to produce morality
or immortality. He had no purpose and
was concerned merely with literature,
beauty and emotion. He rarely thought of
anything he wrote as true; indeed, he
might say never in regard to Dorian GRAY
Sir Edward Clark objected to Carson
cross-examining his client on that novel
as il appeared in Lppincott's Magazine
and not as it was published in England.
Wilde thereupon stepped from the witness
box and whispered few words to his
counsel, after which Sir Edward Clark
withdrew objections. The cross-exami-
nation was very severe and brought out
great differences in the ages of Oscar
Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglass (the
former was born in 1856. the latter in
1909 how the two had visited var ious
towns together stopped at every hotel
together, and how Lord Alfred visited