The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-10
COURTROOM CROWDED.
Objection Is Made to His
HaughtineSS'a Lam
gOur.
MYSTERIOUS LETTER OFFERED
1t Was Struck Out to Shield Some
One and the Marquis Held
for Trial.

LONDON, March 8. The Marquis of
Queensberry was to-day at the Marl-
borough-street Police Court formally COM
mitted for trial by Mr.. Newton. the sitting
magistrate, on the charge of having libeled
Oscar Wilde in leaving at the Marlborough
Club on February % card upon which
was written a disgraceful epithet. The
Marquis declared in court that he wrote
the card simply to bring matters to head
and to save his son, and that he abided by
what he wrote.
Edward H. Carson, Q. c., NJ. P, formerly
Marquis of Queensberry The court was
crowded with well-known people,
Oscar Wilde, who wore a long dark blue
overcoat, drove to the Police Court in great
style in carriage with a footman and a
coachman. Accompanying Mr.. Wilde was
Lord Alfred Douglass son of the Marquis
of Queensberry, 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 loftiness. When he was asked
if he was Oscar Wilde, the author and
dramatist, the witness replied, II think I
am well known" This remark made Mr..
Newton interpose sharply, saying CAN
swer the question, 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
own counsel, plaintiff said that he first be-
came acquainted with the Marquis of
Queensberry in 1893. He remembered
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 de-
fendant entered the room, and by invita-
ton of his son sat down at the same table.
| Continuing, Mr.. Wilde said he did not see
the Marquis of Queensberry again until
1893, when he and Lord Alfred Douglass
were lunching in the same cafe. The de-
PENDANT upon that occasion shook hands
with both his son and Mr.. Wilde, and the
| witness invited the Marquis to join them
At this stage of the proceedings counsel
for Mr.. Wilde handed him a letter, and the
witness was asked if such a document had
been placed in his hands by Lord Alfred
Douglass shortly afterward.
The magistrate here remarked that he
thought this document should be placed
in evidence.
Mr.. Carson, counsel for the Marquis, in
terposed, 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 the Marquis was acting in the in
terest of his son. Mr.. Newton said that he
could not then enter into the question
Mr. Carson nhian4od IN
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 names of exalted persons
| were mentioned, and he did not think it
right that their names should transpire.
Counsel also explained that the mysteri-
Gus letter was introduced with the view of
charging the Marquis of Queensberry with
additional libel, but as Mr. Newton in
sisted that in that case the letter should
be read in court, counsel for the plaintiff
withdrew the letter.
Mr.. Wilde then continued his evidence,
testifying as to how he was handed the
card of the Marquis of Queensberry, upon
which was written the abusive words, by a
porter at the Albemarle Club
Mr.. Carson then cross-examined the wit
ness 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 Queensberry 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 wrote"
The Marquis was then formally COM
mltted for trial, bail being allowed in
f1500.