2 Mar 1895 - The Echo (London)

Case File: Oscar Wilde

No. 8160, Page 3, Column 4

LORD QUEENSBERRY ARRESTED CHARGED WITH LIBELLING OSCAR WILDE

HIS LORDSHIP'S STATEMENT TO THE POLICE

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.

Opening Of the Case

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.

A Melancholy Drama

The last act in this most melancholy drama was performed on the 18th of last month, but it only came to the notice of Mr. Oscar Wilde the night before last. Mr. Wilde was a member of the Albemarle Club, where both ladies and gentlemen are admitted. Mrs. Wilde wa salso a member of the club. On the night before last Mr. Oscar Wilde went to this club, and the hall-porter presented him with a card enclose din an envelope, and addressed to "Oscar Wilde, Esq." explaining that a gentleman had called, and requested that the card should be handed to Mr. Oscar Wilde. The porter was astonished at what was written upon the card, and considered it of sufficient importance to add the date and hour when the card was left. He wrote, "4.30, 18th Feb., 1895." The words written upon the card were of such a character as to be unfit for publication. Mr. Humphreys (continuing) said that a more frightful, serious, or abominable libel for one man to publish about another he could not conceive. He now proposed to call as witnesses only the hall - porter of the club and the officer, Detective-Inspector Greet, who executed the warrant. After the evidence he would ask for an adjournment, that the whole matter might be gone into on a future occasion, because he did not propose to rest his case simply upon the question of this libel. He proposed to go into other cases which had occurred before the 18th of February, and after they had been investigated would ask the magistrate to commit the defendant to take his trial.

Mr. George Lewis asked that before any evidence was taken, the case should be adjourned, so that he might consult with his client and have more time to consider the matter.

Mr. Humphreys said that he only proposed now calling two witnesses whose evidence would be very short, and the whole matter could be gone into next week.

The Hall-Porter's Evidence

Sidney Wright, hall-porter of the Albermarle Club, Piccadilly, said that the defendant presented himself at the club on the 18th of February, and handed him the card in his (witness's) presence, excepting the letter "A" He said, "Give that to Oscar Wilde." He (witness) wrote on the back of the card the date and hour when it was given him. He put the card into an envelope, so that it should not be lost. On 28th Feb. Mr. Oscar Wilde called at the club.

In reply to the Magistrate, witness stated that he did not seal the envelope down.

Continuing, witness said he knew that Mrs. Wilde was a member of the club. When Mr. Wilde called he handed him the envelope containing the card, and said that Lord Queensberry had left the card for him.

Cross-examined - He made it quite evident that the ard was to be delivered to Mr. Wilde. He knew nothing of the circumstances preceding the delivery of the card.