Editing 2 Mar 1895 - The Echo (London)

<b>[[Case File: Oscar Wilde]]</b>

No. 8160, Page 3, Column 4

<b><center>LORD QUEENSBERRY ARRESTED</center></b><br>
<center>CHARGED WITH LIBELLING OSCAR WILDE</center><br>
<center>==HIS LORDSHIP'S STATEMENT TO THE POLICE==</center>

The Marquis of Queensberry, 50, described as having no occupation, and as residing in Carter's Hotel, Dover-street, W., was charged at Marlborough-street Police-court to-day, on a warrant, "for that he did unlawfully and maliciously publish a certain defamatory libel of and concerning one Oscar Wilde, at Albemarle-street, on the 18th of February, 1895, at the parish of St. George's."  Mr. C. O. Humphreys, solicitor, appeared for the defence.

<center>==Opening Of the Case==</center>
Mr. Humphreys, in opening the case, said that Mr. Oscar Wilde was a married man living on most affectionate terms with his wife and family of two sons. He had been the object of a most cruel persecution at the hands of Lord Queensberry. In consequence of family affairs, Mr. Oscar Wilde was very unwilling to take any steps of a criminal nature against Lord Queensberry, but he had been so fearfully persecuted by that gentleman, said Mr. Humphreys that he was compelled to take the step he had now taken for protection and peace of mind.