VOLUME II

Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas About 1893 321

"Speranza": Lady Wilde as a Young Woman 358

Note to Warder Martin 576




THE CRUCIFIXION OF THE GUILTY IS STILL MORE AWE-INSPIRING
THAN THE CRUCIFIXION OF THE INNOCENT; WHAT DO WE MEN KNOW OF
INNOCENCE?




INTRODUCTION


I was advised on all hands not to write this book, and some English
friends who have read it urge me not to publish it.

"You will be accused of selecting the subject," they say, "because
sexual viciousness appeals to you, and your method of treatment lays
you open to attack.

"You criticise and condemn the English conception of justice, and
English legal methods: you even question the impartiality of English