The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-04
Extracts From "Dorian Gray"
to Back Up Peculiar
InSinuationS.
THE DEFIANCE OF THE POET
Says He Does Not Care "Tup-
pence" for What Philistines
Think About Him.

this morning when the hearing of the
libel suit brought against the Marquis of
Queensberry by Oscar Wilde was opened
before Justice Collins. Wilde charges the
Marquis with leaving on February % an
uncovered card at the Albemarle Club, on
which was written certain foul epithets.
AS result Wilde, on March 2, caused the
arrest of the Marquis, and the latter, at
Marlborough-street police court, was
placed under f1500 bail.
The courtroom was to-day crowded with
lawyers. Admission was obtained by
tickets only, and the Sheriff in charge
showed the representative of the Asso-
ciated Press pile of applications a foot
high, many being from well-known people,
while rumors were current in London yes
| terday that Wilde had suddenly lett the
city to avoid being present in court to-day,
| and reports were also current that startling
developments would arise to-day. But
both these 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 Indictment by pleading
| first not guilty, and secondly that the libel
was true and it was published for the pub
lie good.
The Marquis seemed unconcerned, and
in replying to questions spoke quietly
and clearly. Sir Edward Clarke, formerly
Solicitor General, in opening the case, said
the card left at the Albemarle Club for
Mr.. Wilde was one of the visiting cards
of the Marquis of Queensberry. Con-
tinuing, the counsel said the gravest is
sues had been raised, as the defendant, in
his pleadings, alleged that the plaintiff
had for some time acted in disgraceful
way. Certain letters addressed by the
plaintiff to Lord Alfred Douglass, the
second son of the Marquis of Queensberry,
were brought to the plaintiff by a man
who said he was in distress, and Wilde
gave him EGO with which to pay his pas
sage 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 Albem arle Club about 5
P. NJ, February 49, and on entering was
handed an envelope by the hall porter,
Sidney Wright, who said: s'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 written the date "4 80,
IS, 2, 95," and on this card was written
certain vile epithets, which formed the
basis of the suit
Oscar Wilde was called. He languidly
arose from his solicitors table, where he
was seated, and entered the witness-box
The witness was faultlessly dressed in
black frock coat and carried his gloves in
his hand, showing his fingers covered with
rings. He was very pale, but seemingly
composed. Wilde spoke with his custom
airy drawl, leaning his arms upon the rail
of the witness-box and replying distinctly
to 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 few months
ago he found two gentlemen waiting in
the library. One was the Marquis of
Queensberry, the other unknown to the
plaintiff. The former said: "Sit down."
l replied: sLord Queensberry, will not
allow any one to talk that way in my
house. l suppose you have come to apollo
gize. Is it possible that you accuse me and
your son of infamous vices?" He replied
sit looks that way"
The counsel for plaintiff then asked the
witness about the man to whom he had
given EGO with which to pay his passage to
America. The witness said: "The man
told me he had been offered EGO for let
ter, and / advised him to Immediately ac-
cept it. But finally gave him money in
order to relieve his distress, and he gave
me the letter"
The document referred to was here pro- |
duced in court and was handed to Justice |
Collins. The letter was to Lord Alfred |
Douglass, and the writer addressed him |
affectionately, and was signed Oscar
Wilde" Counsel, in explaining this let
ter, said it might seem extravaganza to /
those in the habit of writing letters. But |
he added, at was mere poetry" Laugh |
ter.
Interest in the case was increased when |
Sir Edward Clarke, upon finishing the |
direct examination, turned the witness
over to E. HI. Carson, Q. c., M. P, counsel
for the Marquis of Queensberry, for cross
examination. Carson began the presenta
ton of the case for the Marquis by reading
passages from Dorian Gray" one of Oscar
Wilde's novels of modern life, to show that
the author upheld all that he had been
accused of the plaintiff following the
counsel with copy of the book and laugh
ing at Carson's inslnuations.
1.-THE Interpretation of my works does
not concern me-" said Wilde. II do not
care 'tuppence' for what Philistines think
about me-"
Carson severely repressed the levity of
the witness, and began more serious
phase of cross-examlnation by questioning
Wilde about his other vicious acts, and the
questions were so pointed as to be imprint
able. Wilde emphatically denied that he
had done anything improper, but was trou-
bled and confused under the terrible cross
to which he was subjected,
and frequently drank water. In fact, he
seemed ready to faint, and chair was
placed inside the witness-stand for his use.
the questioning of the plain
tiff the Marquis of Queensberry stood fac
ing him and did not take his eyes off the
man.
The cross-examination of Wilde was not
finished when the court adjourned at
P. NJ. A large crowd had assembled about