QUEENSBERRY LIBEL CASE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 10276, 6 April 1895, Page 2

QUEENSBERRY LIBEL CASE.

OSCAR WILDE UNDER CROSSEXAMINATION. EXTRAORDINARY REVELATIONS. VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY RETURNED. OSCAR WILDE ARRESTED. [per press association.] London, April 5. — In the crossexamination, Oscar Wilde admitted that he was acquainted with men named Taylor, Parker, and Atkins. Taylor had introduced him to five young men on separate occasions, to wnom witness had given money, but he was not aware if any of them were gentlemen's servants. He said ho derived pleasuro from being in the company of bright happy people. "Witness had. frequently been in Taylor's room, and was aware that both Taylor and Parker had once been arrested, but continued their friendships. Once he took Atkins and a youth named Price to Paris, and introduced them to snother youth named Ernest Scarpe, who became acquainted with Lord Douglas. When making a voyage to .Australia, Oscar Wilde said he had made presents to Scarpe and Mabor because he liked them. A letter was read in Court which prpved that tho Marquis of Queonsberry was_ endeavoring' to stop his son visiting Wilde. Tho son wired back to hia father that

Wildo was a funny little man. The Marquis .subsequently called at Wildo's ' house, where a f urioua scone took place. The latter denied the charges levelled against him,. and showed tho Marquis the door. Witness wrote to the Marquis complaining that his wife encouraged his son's visit to Wilde's. Tho friendship with Lady Queensberry and sons remained unbroken. Certniu letters from tho youths alroady named showed that the writers were endeavouring to got some employment. . Mr Oscar Wilde explained the effusi> c language of the letters addressed to Lord Douglas as the natural expression of au artist attracted by a beautiful personality. Tho Marquis of Quc-eusborry viaited his residence and threatened Wilde, to which the latter responded with — " You are tho moat infamous brute in London !" Mr Oscar Wilde admitted close intimacy with a number of young men, but denied anything iinpropor iv it. Ho paid no regard to social inferiority if his friends wero amusing. Lord Douglas lettors showed that ho threatened to shoot hia father if he attempted io tlirash "him.

,Tho Marquis' letter referred to an eminent statesman, but tho reference was political. The case for Iho prosecution is closed. "Mr Carson, in opening the defence, declared that plain tiff's proteges were among tho most immoral persons in London. Wildo'sintiraacios were absolutely irreconcilable with his claims as an exponent of ■ culture. His literature alono justified the charges against him. In conclusion, he claimed that defendant's witnesses, amongst whom was Wood, Iho chief blackmailer, would prove tho case to the hilt. The Hbsl cas-s asjainst tho Marquis of Quuenbborry was finished to-diy, s. verdict f of> not guilty being returned. The jury considered that tho charges mado , by tho Marquis of Quconsburry of a public benefit. Oscar Wilde's counsel withdrew from the oaso, and Wildo himself loffc tho Court while his counsel was explaining th-it the plaintiff's literature and letters justified tho plea of dufonco, that Wildo posed as an immoral por>on. Ho oxplainea that the reason he withdrew from tho case was so as to avoid the appalling evidence which would be advanced. The verdict was received with loud cheers. It is expectod that Wildo will bo arrested. . . No warrant has yet been applied for, but tho counsel for the Marquis of Queensborry has sent to tho Public Prosccut r a statemonfc of witnesses and notes on the evidence in order to prevent a miscarriage of justice. Latest. — Oscar Wilde has been arrestod.