Mr. Carson then read a lengthy passage from "Dorian Gray" as originally published[35], and said, "Do you mean to say that that passage describes the natural feeling of one man towards another?"—"It would be the influence produced on an artist by a beautiful personality," was the reply.
Counsel: A beautiful person?
Witness: I said "a beautiful personality." You can describe it as you like. Dorian Gray was a most remarkable personality.
May I take it that you, as an artist, have never known the feeling described here?—I have never allowed any personality to dominate my heart.
Then you have never known the feeling you describe?—No; it is a work of fiction.
So far as you are concerned you have no experience as to its being a natural feeling?—I think it is perfectly natural for any artist to admire intensely and love a young man. It is an incident in the life of almost every artist.
But let us go over it phrase by phrase. "I quite admit that I adored you madly." What do you say to that? Have you ever adored a young man madly?—No; not madly. I prefer love; that is a higher form.
Never mind about that. Let us keep down to the level we are at now.—I have never given adoration to any body except myself. (Loud laughter.)
I suppose you think that a very smart thing?—Not at all.
Then you never had that feeling?—No; the whole idea was borrowed from Shakespeare, I regret to say; yes, from Shakespeare's sonnets.