The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-04-04

inch of the Old Bailey was occupied
this morning when the hearing of the
libel suit brought against the Marquis
of Queensbury by Oscar Wilde was
opened before Justice Collins.
Wilde charges the marquis with
leaving, on Feb. %, an uncovered card
at the Albemarle club, on which was
written foul epithets. AS result
Wilde, on March ., caused the arrest of
the marquis, and the latter, at the
Marlborough street police court, was
placed under Il, 100 bail. The courtroom
was today crowded with lawyers. Ad-
mission was obtained by tickets only,
and the sheriff in charge showed a rep
resentative of the Associated Press a
pile of applications a foot high.
Rumors were current in London yes
terday that Wilde had suddenly left
the city to avoid being present in
court today, and reports were also cur
rent that startling developments would
arise today. But both the rumors were
set at rest by the arrival in court of
the principals to the suit. The marquis,
VINO wore shabby oveTuu'-- was
placed in the docket and an
swered to Indictment by pleading first
not guilty and second that the libel
was true and published for the public
good.
Marquis UncOncerned.
The marquis seemed uncoDcerned,
and replying to questions spoke quietly
and clearly Sir Edward Clerk, for
merly solicitor-general; in opening the
case, said the card left at Albemarle
for Mr.. Wilde was one of the visiting
cards OF the Marquis of Queensbury.
Continuing, counsel said the gravest
issues had been raised, as the defend
ant in his pleadings alleged the PLAN
tiff had for some time solicited persons
named to commit indecent offenses.
Certain letters addressed by plaintiff to
Lord Alfred Douglass, the second son
of the Marquis of Queensbury, ~were
brought to plaintiff by man who said
he was in distress and he gave him f20
with which to pay his passage 70
America. Another letter was handed
Beerbohm NJ. Tree. an actor, who gave
it to the plaintiff.
Counsel then recounted the facts
already known In the case, show
ing that Wilde, who had recently
returned from Algiers, drove up to
,Albemarle club about .. m. on Feb
ruary %. and on entering was handed
the envelope by Porter Sydney Wright,
who said Lord Oueensbury desired
me. sir, to hand this to you when you
came 10 the club" in the envelope
plaintiff found a card. and on this
card were written certain foul epithets
which formed the basis of the suit,
Then Oscar Came.
3 Oscar Wilde was called He Ian
guidly arose from the solicitors table,
where he was seated. and entered the
witness box. Plaintiff was faultIeSsly
dressed in a black frQck coat and car
ried his gloves in his hand showing
fingers covered with rings. He was
verv pale. but seemingly composed.
The jury. which was composed of
very intelligent men of elderly appear
ance. mainly prosperous tradesnlen,
eyed Wilde with curiosity.
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 Queensbury;
the other was unknown to plaintiff.
Srhe former said, "Sit down" re-
plieG-"Dord Queensbury, 1 will not
allow anyone to talk that way in my
apologize. Is it possible that you &C
cuse me and your son Of sodomy?'
He replied. IT don't say it. but you
look like it. and appear like it.
Counsel for plaintiff then asked wit
ness about the man to whom he had
sage to America Witness said:
1.-THE man told me he hadk been Of
fered EGO for the letter%an I finally
gave him money in order to relieve
his distress and he gave me the letter."
His Red Rose Lips.
The document referred tosswas pro-
duced in court. It referred to "the rose
red lips OF Lord Alfred Douglass and
the writer addressed him as my own
clio
aove-Oscar.'
Counsel, in explaining this letter, said
st might seem extravagant to those
in the habit of writing letters. But,
Se added: at was mere poetry"
kLauGhtere.
creased when Sir Edward Clarke, upon
finishing the direct examination,
turned the witness over to E. H Car
aon, @. c., II. P, counsel for the mar
au;s Of Queensbury for cross-examina-
tion.
Carson begun the presentation Of the
case Tor the marquis by reading pas
Eages from ':Oora Gray" one of Oscar
Wilde's novels, to show that the
author upheld sodomy.
Plaintiff was following counsel <with
ss copy Of the book and was laughing
at Carson's insinuations. Carson, adj
dressing plaintiff. asked:
'Do you think the description of
Dora Gray. given on page 6. is a NOR
yes" replied Wilde: "just what an
ertist would notice in beautiful per.
sonaiity."
9Oid you ever adore rnadIy, as de-
scribed in Dora Gray, my person of
the male sex younger than yourSelf?"
was the next question.
Stole the 1deas
In reply Wilde said. 81 took the idea
from Shakespeare'S Sonnets"
Replying 90 a question by Mr.. Car
son, Wilde said his letter 20 Lord AL
fred was merely "poetical," ard he
ADDED he had "undying lo ve'' for Lord
Alfred. WHO. he claimed, was his best
friend. Witness denied having miscon-
concern himself to produce morality
or immortality. He had no purpose and
was concerned merely with literature,
beauty. wit and emotion. He rarely
thought anything he wrote as true,
indeed he might say never.
The croSs-eXaminati9n was very Sc
we're and brought out the great differ
ence of age between Oscar Wilde and
Lord Alfred Douglass; how the two had
visited various towns together. and
stopped 1T the Savoy hotel together,
and how Lord Alfred visited Wilde's
chamber.
Carson then drew Wilde's opinion re-
yardlng literature in general 10 which
line of cross-examination plaintiff
made many smart responses in the
same line as in his plays.
ssThe Interpretation of my works does !
not concern me-" said Wilde. "I depot |
care two-pence for what the Philistines
fhilk about me-"