Bristol Mercury - Friday, April 12, 1895

Oscar Wilde and Alfred Taylor again appeared in the dock at Bow street, London, yesterday. The Extradition Court was thronged when Sir John Bridge took his seat. Mr Gill again appeared for the Treasury; Sir Edward Clarke and Mr Travers Humphreys defended Wilde, and Mr Arthur Newton, solicitor, appeared for Taylor. Both prisoners had altered somewhat in appearance. Wilde was thinner and paler, and Taylor had lost that jaunty and contemptuous bearing with which he surveyed his surroundings on the last occasion.

Sir E. Clarke said he appeared to defend Mr Oscar Wilde. He did not propose to cross-examine the witnesses called on Saturday, and he should probably take the same course with the other witnesses. His desire was to shorten the proceeding in that court.

The Magistrate said it was incumbent on all of them to get the matter over as speedily as possible.

Charles Parker, recalled, was cross-examined by Mr Newton. He admitted being arrested in August last in Fitzroy square, but denied that he was a friend of many of the men arrested there. Taylor might not have heard Wilde ask witness to go to the Savoy. Witness knew a man named Atkins, but was not aware that he was a notorious blackmailer.

Mr Gill said he did not know why this cross-examination was being pursued.

Mr Newton replied that he was entitled to show that this witness was an associate of most notorious and degraded characters.

Parker, replying to further questions, admitted receiving from two men £80, being part of a sum which had been obtained from a gentleman with an accusation of crime committed with witness himself. He denied being discharged from a situation as valet for being a thief.

Frederick Atkins, 20, who described himself as a comedian, detailed the circumstances under which, in November, 1892, he accompanied Wilde to Paris.

The next witness was Edward Shelley, who said he was formerly employed at a firm of publishers with whom the defendant Wilde had business. Witness made Wilde's acquaintance in February, 1892, and dined with him at the Albemarle hotel. After dinner they went to a private sitting room and had drink.

After evidence had been called as to Wilde's visits to Parker at different addresses, the proprietor of the Hotel Aibemarle said he pressed Wilde for a small bill to deter him from frequenting that house. This was in consequence of something he had seen on the occasion of visits of young men to Wilde.

After a brief examination of Mr Mathews, publisher, former employer of the youth Shelley, Police Inspector Richards deposed to having on the 5th inst. visited the Cadogan hotel and apprehended Wilde. Testimony was afterwards adduced as to the arrest of Taylor.

Mr Gill announced that he did not propose to go further that day.

Sir J. Bridge thereupon remanded the prisoners until Friday next week, and again declined to accept bail.

The Yorkshire Evening Post - Thursday, April 11, 1895

To-day, Sir John Bridge again sat in the Extradition Court, at Bow Street, to hear further evidence in the charges preferred against Oscar Fingal O'Flaherty Wilde, poet aud dramatist. With him was Alfred Taylor, who, it will be remembered, was arrested during the progress of the case on Saturday last. This morning two stalwart police-constables guarded the gates at the foot of the staircase leading to the Extradition Court, and a few minutes before eleven, when, at a signal given by the Chief Usher, the bolts were drawn, there was a rush for places, but owing to the very limited accommodation, the majority of those who were admitted were obliged to stand. Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., M.P., whose offer to conduct the defence of Wilde had been thankfully accepted, sat in the seats reserved for counsel, accompanied by Mr. Travers Humphreys, barrister, his junior. Mr. Arthur Newton, freshly instructed, sat at the solicitors' table holding in his hand a brief for the prisoner Taylor. Mr. C.F. Gill, who, instructed by Mr. Angus Lewis, conducts the case for the prosecution, arrived later. The Hon. H. Cuffe, of the Treasury, also attended. The charge against Taylor is that of conspiring with Wilde. Sir John took his seat at five minutes past 11 o'clock.

Wilde's face has undergone a distinct change since his appearance on Saturday. He is paler and thinner. He entered with a languid and wearisome air, and having seated himself at one end of the dock, leant heavily upon his right elbow. Taylor bad lost the jaunty and rather contemptuous bearing with which be surveyed his surroundings on the last occasion.

Sir Edward Clarke at once rose and said: I appear in this case with my friend Mr. Travers Humphreys for the defence of Mr. Oscar Wilde. I have had the opportunity of reading the depositions which were taken last Saturday, and I am much obliged for the permission to postpone the cross-examination of those witnesses; but upon considering the matter I have decided not to ask for those witnesses to be called for cross-examination, as probably no cross-examination could affect the result so far as this court is concerned and so far as your action in the matter is concerned. Of course it is desirable on all grounds that the investigation shall be taken in as short a time as possible, and with as few occasions of hearing in this court as possible, and having said that with regard to the witnesses who have been called, I shall probably take the same course with regard to other witnesses with a view to shorten the proceedings before you.

Sir John Bridge: It is absolutely incumbent upon all of us to get the matter over as quickly and speedily as possible.

Mr. Newton asked to be allowed to put a few questions to some of the witnesses examined on Saturday.

Charles Parker was then recalled, and in answer to Mr. Newton said he was born in 1874. He was in employment at the present time, and had been in it for nearly eight months.

Were you not arrested in Fitzroy Square in August last?—Yes.

Were you a friend of many of the men who were arrested there?—No, I only knew one.

Mr. Newton then questioned witness with regard to a conversation he had with Taylor when the latter, as witness alleged, spoke to him at St. James's Restaurant in 1893. Witness said that was the first time he saw Taylor, and the latter was not introduced to him by a man named Harrington. He made a statement as to the conversation which then look place to Mr. Charles Russell, the solicitor.

Mr. Newton: Were you afraid when you made that statement that you would be brought into a libel case?—Not at all.

You knew that you had committed illegal acts over and over again and might be prosecuted?—I was not aware of it.

With regard to the dinner at which four of them were present witness did not know that it was Taylor's birthday.

Am I right in saying nothing was said by Mr. Wilde to you about going to the Savoy in Taylor's presence?—He asked me in Taylor's presence, but I do not know whether Taylor heard it.

Cross-examination continued: On the second occasion when witness went to the Savoy Taylor had nothing to do with it. He knew a young man named Atkins.

Is he a notorious blackmailer?—I don't know.

Is he a man who extorts money by making accusations against gentlemen?—I don't know.

How long have you known him?—About three years.

What is his occupation?—A comedian.

Mr Gill: I do not know for what purpose this mode af cross-examination is being indulged in. If it is for the purpose of preventing the man coming here as a witness it will not succeed. If it is pursued I shall go into other cases against Taylor.

Mr Newton: I am entitled to test this evidence and to show that this man Parker is the associate of the most notorious and depraved characters in London.

Sir J. Bridge: Go on, Mr. Newton. (To witness): You say you do not know what Atkins is?—No.

Why did you leave the service in which you were engaged as a valet?—The gentleman could not afford to keep me.

Did he not say you had stolen some of his clothes, and discharged you as a thief?—No; it was after I left that he said I had stolen the clothes.

Did you not get from two men £30, which they had extracted from a gentleman on the ground of an accusation of crime?—Yes.

Mr. Newton: They had extorted from the gentleman a large sum—more than £30?—Yes.

Then it was hush money to prevent your saying anything about it?—Yes. They did not tell me it was to keep my mouth shut.

But they did tell you where it had come from?—Yes.

Mr. Newton said he desired to ask some questions of William Parker and the landlady of 13, Little College Street, but he did not propose to ask anything of Wood or Mabor.

Mr. Gill said the witnesses mentioned were not present, no notice having been given, but he would secure their attendance.

Frederick Atkins, examined by Mr. Gill, said he was now 20 years of age. He knew the prisoner Taylor when he occupied rooms at 13, Little College Street, Westminster. In November, 1892, he was asked to dine the Florence Hotel. He went. Wilde and Taylor and two other gentlemen were present. This was the first time he had seen Wilde, and prisoner asked him to go to Paris with him as his private secretary. He consented. Witness and Wilde lunched at a café, and then went to a hairdresser's to get their hair cut. Witness's hair was curled by the attendant after something said to him in French by Wilde. (Laughter.) Wilde afterwards took him to dinner—the best dinner he ever had in his life. (Renewed laughter.) After dinner Wilde gave him a louis and told him not to go to the Moulin Rouge, but he did go. (Laughter.)

Mr. Newton, in cross-examination: Do not mention any name, but were you introduced to Taylor by the gentleman who was in Paris?—Yes.

And did not that gentleman also introduce you to Mr. Wilde?—No.

Did some other gentleman introduce you to Mr. Wilde?—Yes.

Sir John Bridge: Did you do any secretarial work for Wilde in Paris?—Yes, I wrote something about a Woman of No Importance.

Edward Shelly was the next witness. He said Wilde invited him to dinner, and they dined in a public room. They had plenty of wine at dinner, and witness had sufficient to excite him.

Mr. Gill: While you were in the room did he kiss you?—Yes.

Was he a man for whom you had a great admiration for his talent?—Yes, and he always professed to be fond of me and flattered me. Wilde wrote letters to his place of business, but witness had destroyed everything given him by Wilde except books, which included a large edition of "Dorian Grey." He tore out the title pages containing the inscriptions sometime in 1893. He wrote a letter to Wilde regarding the conduct shown towards him, and expressing his wish not to see the prisoner again.

Mr. Newton: Taylor is a stranger to you?—Witness: Yes, quite a stranger.

Mrs. Lucy Ramsby, 50, Park Walk, Chelsea. Mrs. Margery Bancroft, and Mrs. Sophia Gray gave evidence. The last-named, cross-examined by Mr. Newton, said she knew Taylor was well connected, and always treated him as a gentleman. He acted as a gentleman in her presence.

Mr. Gill: You never saw any ladies there?—Oh, no, sir. (Laughter.)

The court adjourned for luncheon.

On resuming at two o'clock Police-Inspector Charles Richards said on the 5th inst. he went with Sergeant Allan to the Cadogan Hotel, Sloane Street, and saw the prisoner Wilde there. Witness said to Mr. Wilde "We are police-officers. A warrant has been issued for your apprehension. He said, "Yes. Where shall I be taken?" Witness said, "You will have to go to Scotland Yard with me now, and then to Bow Street." He said, "Can I have bail?" Witness replied, "I don't think you can."

Inspector Brockwell said that at five o'clock on April 5th he received a warrant for the arrest of Wilde. While witness was at Scotland Yard Wilde was brought in. The warrant was read to him, and he asked "What are the dates mentioned?" Some letters, memoranda, and three writs were found upo him also also an envelope addressed "Sidney Mayor, Esq, with a pencil note enclosed in the following words:—

"Dear Sir,—Could not wait any longer. Come on at once and see Oscar. He is at Tite Street, Chelsea.—I am truly yours, Alfred Taylor." Witness also found a letter addressed "Oscar Wilde Esq." The letter ran an follows:—"Dear Oscar,—When left here yesterday I left a note, as I told you, for Sidney Mavor, if he called. Littlechild, the detective, called shortly after I left, and, as I was out, asked to write a note, so was shown into my room, where the letter for Sidney was. When I returned last night I found the enclosed letter for me, and the letter I had written to Sidney had been opened.—Yours ALFRED TAYLOR."—Witness added that he also found upon Wilde the following letter from Littlechild to Taylor:—"April 2—Dear sir,—I wanted to see you, but to-morrow morning will do. I will be on the look-out for you at the Old Bailey at ten.—Yours truly, J.J. Littlechild." There was also a letter and two writs by jewellers for jewellery and cigarette cases. When the warrant was read Taylor said; "Is that the only charge?"

Sergeant Harris deposed to watching Taylor's house and arresting the prisoner, who said, "Very well. I expected you last night. What are you going to do?"

Mr. Gill said he did not propose to go further to-day. He would ask for a further remand, and having regard to the course adopted by Sir E. Clarke, he did not think it would be necessary for him to occupy the Court very long.

Sir John Bridge then remanded the prisoner until 12 o'clock on Friday week, and again refused to accede to applications for bail.

SICK AND IN PRISON.

It was made known at Bow Street this morning that since his incarceration in Holloway the prisoner Wilde, who has suffered severely from depression, had been seized with a somewhat severe illness. His condition yesterday necessitated several visits from the prison doctor.

THE PRISONER'S PRAYER.

The following lines are taken from a religious poem composed by Oscar Wilde:—

Come down, O Christ, and help me reach Thy hand,For I am drowning in a stormier seaThan Simon on the Lake of Galilee.The wine of life is spilt upon the sand.My heart is as some famine-murdered landWhence all good things have perished utterly;And well I know my soul in Hell must lie. If I this night before God's throne shall stand.

Highlighted DifferencesNot significantly similar