The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-04-03

sages from 'Dorian Gray" one of Oscar
Wilde's novels of modern life, to show
that the author upheld sodomy, the
plaintiff following counsel with copy
of the book and laughing at Mr.. Carson's
insinuation.
Mr.. Carson, addressing the plaintiff, asked
"Do you think that the description of
Dorian Gray given on page six is a
moral one?"
eyes" replied Wilde "Just what an
artist would notice in a beautiful per
sonality."
ibid you ever adore madly as de-
scribed in Dorian Gray any person Of
the male sex younger than yourself?"
was the next question.
In reply Wilde said: al took the idea
from Shakespeare's sonnets-"
During this portion of the proceedings
the Marquis OF Queensberry followed his
counsel with copy of "Dorian Gray" in
his hands, with seeming enjoyment
Wilde testified to the fact that the man
to whom ne gave twenty pounds on re-
ceipt of the letter in which he had re-
ferred to the ''rose red lips of Lord
Douglas, which amount was used to pay
his passage to America, was named
| Wood.
Replying to other questions put to
him by Mr. Carson, Wilde said that the
AOkt0k ~ 1<OI0 At1I00 was DO6b-
ical," and he added that he had ''undy-
ing love" for Lord Alfred, who he claim
ed as his best friend.
! The ss-examination was very severe
and brought out the great differences in
the ages of Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred
| Douglass (the former was born in 1856
and the latter in 1870. How the two
| had visited various towns together,
stopped at the Savoy hotel together, and
h,@xr ( ,@,.I
ber.
Mr., Carson then drew out Dir. Wilde's
opinions regarding literature in general,
to which line of cross-examination the
| plaintiff made many smart responses in
the same line as in his plays.
THE Interpretation of my works does
not concern me-" said Wilde 81 do not
care tuppence for what the Philistines
| think about me.
But Mr. Carson severely repressed the
levity of the witness and began the more
serious phase of the ross-examiration
by questioning Mr.. Wilde about his in
timacy with newsboy, IS years of age,
! belonging to WOrthing, and brought out
the fact that Wilde took the boy to a
hotel in Brighton.
"Why did you seek the boys society,""
asked Mr.. Carson. "Was it for an in
tellectual treat?"
Ou, nc was OElgHty CdEelosS, ANUS
ing creature" replied the witness.
Mr.. Carson here produced d silver
cigarette case, handsome cane and
a book which Wilde admitted he had
given to the newsboy.
The cross examination then touched
upon Wilde's relations with various boys
and men, and the questions put to the
witness we're so pointed as to be un-
printa BILE.
Wilde, however; enphatically denied
that he had lone anything improper, but
he was troubled and confused under the
terrible cross examination to which he
was subjected, and frequently drank
water. In fact he seemed ready to faint
and a chair was placed inside the witness
stand for his USE Throughout the ques-
tioning of the plaintiff. the Marquis of
Queensbury stood facing him and did
not take his eyes off the man.
The cross examination of Wilde was
not finished when the court adjourned at
. p. H. A large crowd of people assem-
bled about the Old Bailey in order to see
! Wilde leave the court