Mr. Carson then read the words describing the administration of the
poison in the Sacrament, and asked Mr. Wilde whether he approved of
them.
The witness replied that he thought them disgusting, perfect twaddle.
I think you will admit that any one who would approve of such an
article would pose as guilty of improper practices?
I do not think so in the person of another contributor to the
magazine. It would show very bad literary taste. I strongly objected
to the whole story. I took no steps to express public 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. I am aware that the magazine might have been circulated
among the undergraduates of Oxford, but I do not believe that any book
or work of art ever had any effect whatever on morality.
Am I right in saying that you do not consider the effect in creating
morality or immorality?
Certainly, I do not.
So far as your own works are concerned you pose as not being
concerned about morality or immorality?