The Great Mirror of Same-Sex Love - Prose - 41. from an Eyewitness to Wilde’s Second Trial

Although I loved reading this first hand account, it was bittersweet. I read, again, Wilde’s speech from that day in court. It really was quite brilliant. Unfortunately, as we all know, he did not sway the jury in his favor. However, for that moment in time, he eloquently spoke from the heart and may have given hope to some in attendance. 

18 minutes ago, 84Mags said:

Although I loved reading this first hand account, it was bittersweet. I read, again, Wilde’s speech from that day in court. It really was quite brilliant. Unfortunately, as we all know, he did not sway the jury in his favor. However, for that moment in time, he eloquently spoke from the heart and may have given hope to some in attendance. 

Thanks, 84Mags. The eye-opening info in this private letter is that the jury did not want to convict. Wilde's 'folly', as understood by the English elite at the time, was assuming his status as a high-status individual would shield him from the power of the wig to make an example of him.

Beerbohm's info is that Wilde's assumptions were true and he was acquitted by a jury process that the judge betrayed and tossed out. Instead, the English elite class ordered the jury to "do the decent thing" so the judge could sentence Wilde (as nothing but an uppish Irishman) to two years at hard labor, knowing it was tantamount to a death sentence. That is the history not in the books, but what Beerbohm's letter reveals 

2 hours ago, AC Benus said:

Thanks, 84Mags. The eye-opening info in this private letter is that the jury did not want to convict. Wilde's 'folly', as understood by the English elite at the time, was assuming his status as a high-status individual would shield him from the power of the wig to make an example of him.

Beerbohm's info is that Wilde's assumptions were true and he was acquitted by a jury process that the judge betrayed and tossed out. Instead, the English elite class ordered the jury to "do the decent thing" so the judge could sentence Wilde (as nothing but an uppish Irishman) to two years at hard labor, knowing it was tantamount to a death sentence. That is the history not in the books, but what Beerbohm's letter reveals 

 

That is what I really enjoy about The Great Mirror! I learn with each posting. 

On 1/4/2022 at 4:29 PM, 84Mags said:

That is what I really enjoy about The Great Mirror! I learn with each posting. 

Thank you!!!

I think you will like the next one too. I'm about to post something from a culture we've yet to touch upon