Osoar Wilde.

Manawatu Herald, 9 April 1895, Page 2

Osoar Wilde.

Oscar O'Fluheiiy Wilde is known in London aa the best- known apostle of the aathetic movement. He act conventionality ut defiance, and in his lectures expressed mine rovolunlionary Montimentft with r. ference to modern continue, from an art point of view. B<>me short limn hro he charged the Muiqtiia of Queensbery with libeling him. At the trial, the plaintiff was snbjeotod to a Atriogenc orots examination wi h the view uf showing that " D trian Gr.y," an] some articles in the magazine Chameleon, with which lv h connect* d, are of an imuittrat tetxluncy. Wildw insisted < (by wi>ra inwr»)y m» «xpr«<i»i|nii of •ffcflUO (fMttl^i BU kMH to lM&

Afreet Douglas Were prose poems— extraordinary, perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation. He admitted that he gave one of hid blackmailers £21, and lunched With him in a private room afterwards. Mr Wilde explained the effusive language of the letters addressed. ..to, . Lord Alfred Douglas as the natural expression of an artist attracted by a hpautiful personality. The Marque of Queensbery visited his residence and threatened Wilde, to which the latter responded with — "You are the most infamous brute in London I" Wilde admitted that he Was acquainted with young men named Taylor, Parker and Atkins, and that Taylor had on separate occasions introduced him to five young men, to whom witness had given money, bat he was not aware that any of them were gentlemen's servants. Ha derived pleasure from being in the company of bright, happy people. Witness had frequently been in Taylor's room. He was aware that both Taylor and Parker had once been arrested, but he had continued their *. friendship. Once he^%^p Arkins'arid a youth named Price td Paris, and introduced them to another youth named Ernest Scarp, who became acquainted with Lord Alfred Douglas when making a voyage to Australia. Witness had made presents to Scarp and Mabor because he liked tpn;Cl' *Y-/' 'XT &* , :j!<c-tfcey3.read4u @oujfc^Et)&ve4Jinafc the Marquis of Queensberry was endeavouring to stop his son visiting Wilde. vr ThQ. son wired back to his 'ftthef $&t Wilde was a funny little man. The Marquis subsequently called at Wilde's house, when a furious scene took place. The latter denied the charges levelled against him, and showed the Marquis the door. Wilde said he wrote to .the Ma.V£_ guis complaining that his: J#ifeJt encouraged his s^n's visits. Wilde's friendship with Lady Queensberry and her sons remained unbroken. Certain letters from the youths already named showed that the writers were poverty-stricken, some imploring assistance or employment. He admitted close intimacy with a number of young men, but denied that there was anything improper in it. He paid %io regard to social . inferiority if his friends were amusing. Lord Douglas* letters showed ha threatened to shoot his father if he attempted to thrash him. The Marquis' letter referred to an eminent stateman, but the reference was political. ' This closed Wilde's case. Mr Caraon, in opening the case . . for the defence, declared that the : ■ plaintiff's protege^ were among the most immoral persons in London, ; and that Wilde's intimacies were absolutely irreconcilable with his claim? as an exponent of culture^ .-, His literature alone justified charge* •; against him. In conclusion, counsel <e1 claimed that defendant's witnesses, amongst whom was Wood, the chief blackmailer, would prove the case 'to".«/---the hilt. The Marquis of Q leensberry wrote to his son saying that he believed he ."••'•• was crazy, and suggesting that he should leave the country. The charge of libel against the Marquis of Queensberry was finished on Friday, a verdict of not guilty being returned. The jury considered that the Quoensberry were of jJuW^^ufewttl^®" Wilde's Counsel withdrew from the case. Wilde himaelf left ihe Court while his counsel ; Was e^plfcifii^ that plaintiff's literature and letters justified the plea of the deferide that Wilde posed asau immoral patscujA ' <t He explained that the reason; h*a withdrew from the base was so as ta avoid the evidence which! would beMduwd. phWwrdict jns received - mth f outl ' cheers. Ifns expected Wilde will be ai rested. No wafcianWas fH be& appHW fcN&<l but counsel tor the Marquis of '■ Queensberry "has sent to tt&^atftfl^ prosecutor the statements^ of the witnesses and notes on the evidence in order to prevent a miscarriage of justice. O3car Wilde has been arrested. Oscar Wilde publishes a letter stating that he abandoned; the P*fcfi in order to avoid placing tgoraf I Douglas in the witness-box. .jU After the warrant had b^&.ii^qVC^ • for Wilde's arrest police i detaipe^ three essential witnesses. - •^- Lord Douglas and two other tried* tf remained in conference with Witd« : T at the Viaduct Hotel. Holborn, for. several hours after the trial, an^l lunched together in a private roornV \ Sub-tpqnently they drove to a bank, where Wilde withdrew a large suraT" sf money. He was then lost Sight nf until he was arrested iir t^/WStP^ ing at a hotel in Sloane rtfew^^ Lr»rd Douglas was much dis> «■ tressed when he found he was unable to bail him out. " "' After tht trial the Marquis oi" : **■ Queensberry sent Wilde a message M .' stating that he would shoot him' if^' r he took his son abroad. Taylor han^alao bean aMettec^mlß will be charged in conjunction with' Wilde. . < -,- The lattei-Xname bas^be/n with- 2 drawn from the : 'playrbillßroi Itfttdon 1 and American -theatres. «/ =;i . v"? y -