![]() ![]() W-I rarely think that anything I write is true. Here is one of the "Phrases and Philosophies for the Use of the Young" which you contributed: "Wickedness is a myth invented by good people to account for the curious attractiveness of others." You think that true? I aim not at doing good or evil, but in trying to make a thing that will have some quality of beauty.Ĭ-Listen, sir. In writing a play or a book, I am concerned entirely with literature-that is, with art. W-I do not know whether you use the word "pose" in any particular sense. I do not believe that any book or work of art ever had any effect whatever on morality.Ĭ-Am I right in saying that you do not consider the effect in creating morality or immorality?Ĭ-So far as your works are concerned, you pose as not being concerned about morality or immorality? I am aware that the magazine may have been circulated among the undergraduates of Oxford. I took no steps to express disapproval of The Chameleon because I think it would have been beneath my dignity as a man of letters to associate myself with an Oxford undergraduate's productions. ![]() W-I think them disgusting, perfect twaddle.I strongly objected to the whole story. "The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life." For one instant his courage failed him then he turned to the little fellow again, and held the chalice to his lips: He administered the sacred wafer to the child, and then he took his hand he turned towards him but when he saw the light in the beautiful face he turned again to the crucifix with a low moan. When the time came for him to receive from the chalice, he raised it to his lips, but did not taste of it. Just before the consecration the priest took a tiny phial from the pocket of his cassock, blessed it, and poured the contents into the chalice. You know that when the priest in the story administers poison to the boy, he uses the words of the sacrament of the Church of England? Did you or did you not consider the story blasphemous?Ĭ-I am satisfied with that. The end was wrong.Ĭ-Answer the question, sir. W-I think it violated every artistic canon of beauty.Ĭ- I wish to know whether you thought the story blasphemous? W-I have read it only once, in last November, and nothing will induce me to read it again. I thought the treatment rotten and the subject rotten.Ĭ-You are of opinion, I believe, that there is no such thing as an immoral book?Ĭ-May I take it that you think "The Priest and the Acolyte" was not immoral?Ĭ-Was not the story that of a priest who fell in love with a boy who served him at the altar, and was discovered by the rector in the priest's room, and a scandal arose? It is impossible for a man of literature to judge it otherwise by literature, meaning treatment, selection of subject, and the like. W-From the literary point of view it was highly improper. One was "In Praise of Shame" and the other "Two Loves."Ĭ- One boy calls his love "true love," and the other boy calls his love "shame"?Ĭ- Did you think that made any improper suggestion?Ĭ- You read "The Priest and the Acolyte"?Ĭ- You have no doubt whatever that that was an improper story? I thought them exceedingly beautiful poems. I observed that there were also contributions from Lord Alfred Douglas, but these were not written at Brighton. With reference to the writings which have been mentioned, it was not at Brighton, in 20 King's Road, that I wrote my article for The Chameleon. I have been abroad with him several times and even lately to Monte Carlo. Lord Alfred Douglas has stayed in those chambers, which are not far from Piccadilly. I kept the rooms from the month of October, 1893, to the end of March, 1894. ![]() W-Yes at one in Albemarle Street, and in Dover Street, and at the Savoy.Ĭ-Did you ever take rooms yourself in addition to your house in Tite Street? Notwithstanding Lord Queensberry's protest, my intimacy with Lord Alfred Douglas has continued down to the present moment.Ĭ- You have stayed with him at many places?Ĭ-At Oxford? Brighton on several occasions? Worthing? After the interview I had no doubt that such was Lord Queensberry's desire. I did not receive a letter on 3rd April in which Lord Queensberry desired that my acquaintance with his son should cease. Down to the time of the interview in Tite Street, Lord Queensberry was friendly. W-Lord Alfred Douglas is about twenty-four, and was between twenty and twenty-one years of age when I first knew him. You have my certificate and that settles the matter.Ĭ-But being born in 1854 makes you more than forty? Oscar Wilde-I have no wish to pose as being young. Wilde was questioned on cross-examination by Queensberry's defense attorney, Edward CarsonĮdward Carson-You stated that your age was thirty-nine. ![]()
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