Compare Documents

... morning’s proceedings Mr. [...] place in court. He was [...] the precincts, and his [...] which preceded Sir [...] took place in a room [...]

[...] the jury had delivered [...] guilty as against Lord Queensberry [...] Wilde came out of [...] the hired brougham [...] all the week, and [...] Viaduct Hotel. This [...] appointed rendezvous, for [...] was joined there by Lord Douglas [...] Lord Alfred Douglas, and [...] by a representative of [...] the following [...] published yesterday:

[...] been impossible for me to [...] without putting Lord Alfred Douglas in the witness-box against his [...]

Lord Alfred Douglas was extremely anxious to go into the box, [...] would not let him do so.

Rather than put him in so painful a position I determined to retire from the case, and to bear on my own shoulders whatever ignominy and shame might result from my prosecuting Lord Queensberry.

It is hardly in Mr. Wilde’s best epistolary style, but was written hurriedly, and under the stress of much excitement.

Mr. Wilde and his party lunched at the hotel in a private room, and two of the party took a cab to the London and Westminster Bank, St. James’s-square, where they changed a cheque drawn on Mr. Wilde’s account. Some time after their return the brougham, which had been in waiting, was signalled to the door, and Mr. Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas got in. They drove to Ely-place, where Lord Alfred got out, and going into the offices of Messrs. Lewis and Lewis, Mr. Wilde drove on through Fleet-street, the Embankment, Birdcage-wall, on to the Cadogan Hotel in Sloane-street. He was followed the whole time by the two private detectives who have watched [...] on behalf of Lord Queensberry for the last ...days, and also by a representative of THE EVENING NEWS.

Arrived at Sloane-street, Mr. Wilde dismissed the brougham, and went into the hotel where he was joined in about 20 minutes by Lord Alfred Douglas. The detectives by this time made little attempt to conceal their mission, and mr. Wilde must have known that the two men leaning against 76, Sloane-street, at the opposite corner of Pavilion-street, were watching his every movement.

Frequently friends, once Lord Alfred Douglas, left and returned to the hotel, but Mr. Wilde remained in Lord Alfred Douglas’s rooms. He was "upset," and could see no one.

The news of the Bow-street proceedings came up to Sloane-street before six o’clock, and it was just after half-past six when Inspector Riches and Sergeant Allen drove up and entere the hotel. At first they were told Mr. Wilde was not there, but on making themselves known they were taken to his room, and at once informed him that they had a warrant for his arrest.

THE ARREST OF WILDE.

The most epigrammatic reply that Mr. Wilde could think of was "Oh, really!" and when he assured the [...] that he would give them the least possible trouble he walked between them to the door and entered the four-wheeler which had been whistled up a moment before. The cigarette he held between his trembling fingers was lighted, but he did not put it to his lips, and made no attempt to render the occasion [...] by saying anything ; epigrams failed him. He was drive to Scotland-yard, and then taken down to Bow-street. He was charged and removed to the cell.

In an hour, a Mr. Rosse, who had been sent by Oscar for his bag, brought it along, but was not allowed to have it for him. Presently, Lord Alfred Douglas, who was temporarily [...] Cadogan when the arrest [...] drove up and asked if he could not [...] told it was impossible, neither [...] Mr. Wilde, and he left very much [...] Mr. Wilde was placed in an ordinary cell.

WILDE’S PLAYS IN AMERICA.

A [...] telegram from New York says: The [...] of the Lyceum Theatre, where Oscar Wilde’s play "An Ideal Husband" in [...] decided to remove the [...] from the bills and programmes. Miss [...] Coghlan, who has been playing "A Woman of No Importance"—in the Western States, has resolved to omit the play from her repertoire.

MR. CARSON’S MODESTY.

The representative in the Lobby of the House of Commons writes: Make no mistake about it, the House of Commons is composed for the most part of persons of a very ordinary character. [...] words, members of the House of Commons showed their interest in the appalling case, which ended yesterday at the Old Bailey, for all the [...] like any other mortals. When Mr. Carson arrived on the scene of action he was soon the centre of a group of questioners who were desirous [...] the absolutely latest development. Mr. Carson, far from joining in the general chorus of approval which has greeted [...] display of cross-examination, says that he never had a [...] and with the generous instinct [...] rising rapidly to the top of [...] that Sir Edward Clarke’s [...] opening part of the [...] under the circumstances, and [...] the tremendous difficulties under which he laboured, a real masterpiece. [...] heard anything to equal it in all [...] was the way in which he worded his tribute to his learned friend.

OPPONENTS CONGRATULATE HIM.

"Carson is the coming Russell of his day so far as cross-examination is concerned," remarked one member. It was curious, and at the same time rather pleasant, to observe bitter political opponents patting Mr. Carson on the shoulders, and saying, "Well done!" You might have seen Mr. Tim Healy and Mr. Swift MacNeill acting so yesterday, and you would have admitted that it did them honour. Mr. Carson was never an infant prodigy ; nor did his star shine very brightly at College. On the contrary, he was little known there. Mr. Ross, another Irish Q.C., who entered the House at the same time, was a far more distinguished member of Trinity College, Dublin. He was easily before Mr. Carson in every scholastic competition, took the gold medal for oratory, and came out as the finest Classic of his year. Mr. Carson seems to have taken things very easily. Even now, indeed, he never appears to be in the least hurry about anything.

THE NIGHT AT BOW-STREET

The Poet of the Beautiful in the Cell.

A night in a prison cell is a fearful experience. To a sensitive man it is a life-long endurance of terror. The bed is a board polished by the bodies of the infamous. The walls are bare and close to one another, and they seem all night long to be slowly falling upon the prisoner with a weight that is crushing his soul. ‘Tis a lamentable triumph of matter over mind.

Oscar Wilde endured all this last night. He lay on the board bed—yes, for a moment. There was little sleep after much wooing. The greater part of the night he walked and walked, within the cribbed, cabined, and confined space of the cell at Bow-street.

Asked what he would order to eat, when he stepped into the cell with an air of indifference last night, he replied, briefly, "A little chicken."

Then the heavy door swung to, and the man was alone. The eye of a minion of the law was ever upon him through the small barred latchethole in the door. The chicken was brought, and water. No intoxicants are admitted in a prison cell.

The plate was removed a little later, with the chicken on it, broken and played with.

Then came the night’s walk to and fro in a narrow space 12 to 20 ft. long. Hands clasped behind alternated with hands clasped in front of him and eyes lifted to the narrow roof above—a sight that made the lids close over the eyes and a shudder run through his frame.

Oh! for a cigarette! A cigarette would have saved him, and he asked that he might be permitted to smoke. But no cigarette was permitted. His hands involuntarily, unconsciously went to his pockets for his cigarette case. Then twitched with disgust. By daylight this morning Oscar’s face was pale, and there was a tremor in his fingers unconcealable from the peering warder.

"What would he have for breakfast?" Oscar shrugged his shoulders and replied without words. The can of coffee and a little bread and butter were brought him. He nibbled at the bread and butter, and drank the coffee with the eagerness of a parched man.

Such was Oscar Wilde’s experience last night. No sleep, little food, and nothing beautiful near him.

IN THE DOCK.

THE MAN WILDE CHARGED AT BOW-STREET.

Never has there been a worse crush at Bow-street than this morning. Those with business in the Court had to thread their way through a dense pack of people who were engaged in staring at nothing in particular, and asking each other what time the case would come on. The downstairs court rapidly filled, and no sooner had everyone shaken into place then the word went round that the hearing would be in the small court upstairs. There was a general stampede, a flying helter-skelter in which hate were sacrificed and costs left behind, and upstairs, four steps at a time, went a bounding crowd in a way that would not have disgraced a company of kangaroos. The court upstairs is smaller than the court below, and filled in a moment. The time was 10.25, and the arrangement was for the charge against Oscar to be heard before Sir John Bridge took his seat in the court below.

NONE OF WILDE’S FRIENDS, who were so indefatigable in their attendance yesterday, put in an appearance at Bow-street this morning, or, if they did, they failed to gain an entrance into the court-room. These few of the general public who were able to obtain admittance seemed attracted merely by curiosity, and no one could be identified as in any way, even remotely, concerned in the case. Some surprise was occasioned by the presence of a lady in the seats reserved for witnesses, and many were the rumours which went round as to her identity. While the crowd patiently waited, Sir Augustus Harris came in, and standing unnoticed for a moment at the back, was soon espied by the usher, who found him a place in front of the bench. At 11 o’clock Mr. Humphreys, Wilde’s solicitor, came in with Mr. Rosse. Immediately Sir John Bridge took his seat, Wilde was put in the dock, and the goaler said, "Oscar Wilde."

THE CHARGE.

Mr. C. F. Gill prosecuted. He prosecuted, he said, on a series of charges, of inciting lads to commit offences, and of committing offences against the Criminal Law Amendment Act, and having regard to the nature of the charges he would not go into the matter with any detail. The case he proposed to go into first related to the conduct of the prisoner with regard to one, Charles Parker. In the beginning of 1893, Wilde was staying at the Savoy Hotel from March 2 till March 29. At the same time there was living at Little College-street, Westminster, a man named Alfred Taylor, a man closely connected with Wilde. The prisoner was in the habit of visiting Taylor at Little College-street, as to the conditions of things at which house evidence would be given. Parker and his brother were approached by Taylor in the St. James’s Restaurant, and asked to visit him at Little College-street. He spoke to them there with reference to immoral practices and mentioned to them Wilde’s name.

Shortly afterwards they were taken by Taylor to Kettner’s, where they were entertained at a sumptuous dinner given by Wilde, at the close of which Wilde said to Taylor, "Charlie is the boy for me." He then took Charles Parker to the Savoy Hotel, plied him with drink, and committed the offences charged, giving the young man money. The same thing occurred a week later.

Wilde, who at first stood in the dock, had now sat down, and had his eyes fastened on Mr. Gill with A STRAINED EAGER LOOK.

Occasionally he sighed and changed the position of his arms, which were resting one on each rail of the dock, back and front.

Mr. Gill went on to detail charges of a similar character at Wilde’s rooms in St. James’s-place, and told how he took Parker about to dinner, to music-halls, in cabs, and elsewhere, and visited him also at the rooms in which he was living. In connection with the last-named visit, Mr. Gill said, a woman noticed Wilde, and would be prepared to give evidence as to what occurred. During the whole of the time the intimacy lasted between then prisoner and Charles Parker, the former was giving the latter money.

Wilde’s face went a dull earthy hue as Mr. Gill went on the describe Taylor’s rooms, and to say that the whole story of Parker would be proved indisputably in the box, and might even be corroborated BY THE PRISONER HIMSELF, who was eligible to give evidence, and whose story in another place was a corroboration of the evidence that would be laid before the magistrate to-day. The lad Parker was now leading a proper, honest, respectable life, and his evidence would be corroborated up to the hilt in every detail.

Having most exhaustively gone into this one case, Mr. Gill said there were a number of other cases which he did not propose at once to go into, but two incidents he mentioned, he would prove occurred at the Savoy Hotel, incidents of a scandalous character, and others took place at other hotels, and even AT THE PRISONER’S OWN HOUSE in Tite-street. The case, concluded Mr. Gill, was a case of an unpleasant nature, but one of enormous public importance ; young men must know that there was but one ending to such a life, viz., being brought to justice.

Charles Parker stepped into the box, a well-set-up young fellow, with a smooth face and little down on his upper lip, dressed neatly, almost fashionably, in a light grey overcoat with velvet cuffs. He is 19 years of age, was a valet in a gentleman’s employ, and in the beginning of 1893 was out of employment. So was his brother William Parker, who had been a butler. In company with his brother, in March, 1893, he went into the St. James’s Restaurant, and while there they were spoken to by a man whom he afterwards knew as Alfred Taylor. Taylor was a perfect stranger to both of them. He asked them to have a drink.

TAYLOR CHARGED.

The Wilde cases are full of dramatic incidents, and a sudden break off in the case now ended in the announcement by Mr. Gill that the man Taylor had just been arrested, and would be put in the dock beside Wilde.

There was an interval of nearly 10 minutes, during which Wilde somewhat recovered his sangfroid. He moved a little along the dock, to make room for Taylor, no doubt, and leaned forward caressing his lips with his gloved hands. He is a young man with a forehead looking bald owing to the black hair being brushed right back from the roots, he has a thin, sharp face, with bright eyes, and a way of looking out of their corners. He smiled at Wilde and bowed as he entered the dock with a jaunty step, and Wilde acknowledged the salutation.

Charles Parker went on with his evidence. Taylor said he would like to introduce him to Mr. Wilde, whom he described as a very good man. The witness understood by that a good man for money. Taylor said Wilde liked young men.

Shortly after this meeting witness visited Taylor in his rooms. His brother went with him.

Ever since Taylor had been in the dock he had been LAUGHING AND SMILING in a half-brazen, half-nervous manner ; he now listened intently as Parker went on to describe his rooms. The drawing-room was luxuriously furnished.

Taylor told them he had arranged the introduction to Mr. Wilde, and it was to take place at either Kettner’s or the Solferino, at dinner.

What is Kettner’s? asked Sir John Bridge, in fine imitation of a well-known precedent.

They are both restaurants, said Mr. Gill.

Witness them described the dinner, Wilde’s remark afterwards, and his accompanying Wilde to the Savoy Hotel. During the recital Oscar was shifting uneasily in the dock ; he had taken his gloves off and was fingering them nervously, and every now and then tucked his dirty shirtcuffs under the velvet sleeve-trimming of his overcoat.

The offences alleged were described by the witness in detail, as well as his second visit to Wilde a week later. He saw Wilde again from time to time, and Wilde gave him a silver cigarette case and a chain gold ring. He visited Wilde at St. James’s-place, went with him to places of public amusement, the Crystal Palace, music-balls, restaurants, and accompanied him about all over London ; acts of the kind he had described were constantly taking place. The last time he saw Wilde was in Trafalgar square, eight or nine months ago. Wilde was driving, and stopped, paid a compliment to his appearance, and went on. Witness frequently saw Taylor all this time, and was with him when arrested in the Fitzroy-square raid. After that he gave up the companionship.

Mr. Travers Humphreys did not cross-examine for Mr. Wilde, but reserved his right to do so.

Taylor was asked if he cross-examined, and in a week, effeminate voice he said he would reserve his.

QUEENSBERRY’S THREAT.

Saturday, April 6, Carter’s Hotel, 14 and 15, Albemarle-street, W.

The Marquis of Queensberry wishes to correct the published statement as to his message to Oscar Wilde, which was reported as follows : "If the country allows you to leave, all the better for the country, but if you take my son with you I will follow you wherever you go and shoot you." This statement, his lordship says, is not correct. The message was sent some days ago, and not after the trial ended. Lord Queensberry did not say he would shoot Mr. Wilde. What he said was, that if he persuaded his misguided son to go with him he would feel quite justified in following him (Wilde) and shooting him, did he feel inclined to do so, and were he worth the trouble.

LONDON, April 6.

This morning, Oscar Fingall O'Flaherty Wills Wilde, who was arrested last evening at the Cadogan Hotel, Sloane-street, on a charge of a very grave kind, was brought up before Sir John Bridge at Bow-street Police-court. For half an hour before the doors opened a large crowd had gathered in front of the court, but only those having professional duties to discharge, the witnesses, and a few friends of the accused were then admitted. The prisoner, who was brought into court at 11 o'clock, wore a black frock-coat and dark trousers. He showed no great concern at any time during the proceedings.

The entry in the charge sheet was as follows:--Oscar Wilde, gentleman, 16, Tite-street, is charged that he did, on March 20, 1893, and on divers other days, unlawfully commit divers acts of gross indecency with another male person, to wit, one Charles Parker.

The charge sheet was signed by Inspector Thomas Brockwell and Sub-Divisional Inspector Digby.

Mr. C. F. Gill, instructed by Mr. Angus Lewis, of the Treasury, prosecuted, and Mr. C. O. Humphreys, solicitor, defended.

Mr. Gill said he was there to prosecute the prisoner on a series of charges of inciting to commit or of committing certain gross indecencies under the 11th Section of the Criminal Law Amendment Act. No good purpose being served by going into these matters in an opening speech, he would merely indicate generally the character of the evidence he proposed to produce before Sir John, and the nature of the charges, while the question of what he would be ultimately committed upon would depend upon the nature of the evidence produced. The first charge related to the conduct of the prisoner with the young man Charles Parker in 1893. Wilde was then staying at the Savoy Hotel, where he lived from April 2 to March 29, and at the same time there was living at a place in Little College-street, Westminster, in the upper part of a house, a man named Alfred Taylor. He was a man closely connected with the prisoner Wilde, and the evidence would disclose that he was a person engaged in acting for Wilde and procuring for him young men with whom he would afterwards commit offences. Prisoner would be charged with conspiring with that man to procure lads. Prisoner was in the habit of visiting the man Taylor at Little College-street, and his Worship would have evidence as to what took place at that address, where the prisoner Wilde was in the habit of going. Parker was a servant out of place, having been a valet, and was in the company of his brother William when they met Taylor at the St. James's Restaurant. Taylor was a stranger to them; he stood them drink and invited them to visit him at Little College-street. Having got them to that place he made certain suggestions and mentioned Oscar Wilde as a man to whom he would introduced them. They met Wilde at a dinner at Kettner's, when Wilde made a selection of Parker and went with him to the Savoy Hotel. The learned counsel described what took place there, and on subsequent occasions at two other addresses with Wilde. He gave Parker money, and visited him where he lived in Canova-square, till a woman noticing the appearance of the man Wilde, which once seen was not likely to be again forgotten, caused such trouble that Parker had to leave. Parker was now living a respectable life, and came as a most unwilling witness, but he had to do so. The learned Counsel added that there were a number of other cases which would be gone into. The prisoner had already had an opportunity of giving his version of the affair, and he could do so again if he chose. It was a most unpleasant case to go into, but one of enormous public importance. It was enormously important that it should be known to these young men the prisoner had come in contact with that there was only one end to such a life as that of the prisoner Wilde, and that was at the hands of justice.

Charles Parker, a well-dressed young man, 19 years of age, said: I was formerly in service as a valet, and I left that employment at the end of February, 1893.

Mr. Gill: I do not desire to disclose publicly what his present occupation is.

Witness continuing: At the beginning of March, 1893, I was out of employment. So was my brother William, who was a groom and had been a butler. I recollect going with my brother to St. James's Restaurant. At the time I was not absolutely without means. While in the restaurant I was spoken to by a man whom I afterwards knew as Alfred Taylor. He was a complete stranger to me. He asked me to have a drink, and I accepted. I had some conversation with him.

At this point the man Taylor was brought into the dock and charged, in order that he might hear the evidence. He is a young man 26 or 27 years of age, and very well dressed. He smiled during the whole of Parker's evidence.

Parker, the witness, continuing, said: Taylor, after some general conversation, said he would like to introduce me to Mr. Wilde, who was a very good man. Mr. Gill: In what way? Mr. Humphreys: I must object. This is leading. Mr.Gill: Well, tell us what he said. Witness: I understood him to mean that he was a good man for money. Mr. Gill: Did he say for what purpose he wished to introduce you to Mr. Wilde? Witness (after some hesitation): Taylor said Wilde liked boys. He asked either me or my brother for our address. Shortly after this I went to 13. Little College-Street, Westminster, an address given me by Taylor. My brother went with me. We found that Taylor had three rooms-- drawing rooms, bed-room, and a kind of kitchen. The drawing-room was very well furnished. I did not notice whether the windows were curtained. It was in the morning I first went. The bed was a very low one. I saw no servant. The rooms were not lit; of that I am sure. There was nobody there but Taylor. What did he say to you? That he had arranged for me to be introduced to Mr. Wilde, either at Kettner's Restaurant or the Solferino. When were you to be introduced? In the evening at half-past seven. Nothing more was said, and we all three left the house together. That evening my brother and I went to the restaurant, which ever it was. We went upstairs to a private room. Previously we had met Taylor at the St. James's bar. Was there a table laid for dinner? Yes; for four. At the end of the dinner did Wilde ask you anything? Yes. He said, "This is the boy for me. Will you come to the Savoy Hotel with me." Did you go? Yes; we drove in a hansom. It was about 10 o'clock. We went to the second or third floor of the hotel. When you got to the rooms where did you go? Into the sitting-room. No one else was there. Drink was brought into the room. What did he order? Whiskey and soda. What took place afterwards? He asked me into his bedroom, which opened off the sitting-room. We went there. How long did you stay? About two hours, and he gave me £2. He told me to call in about another week, at 11 o'clock at night, at the Savoy Hotel. Did you do so? Yes. Did you see him there? Yes. Did you go to the same rooms that you went to before? Yes. Upon that occasion did you have any supper? Yes; in the sitting-room. We had champagne. We were alone together. I do not remember having anything else besides champagne to drink. We smoked cigarettes, and again the same thing took place that had taken place before. How long did you stay? An hour and a half about. He gave me £3. Can you remember the day of the week? No. Anything said why Wilde gave you £3 instead of £2? He told me to buy some clothes. Did you see him again from time to time? Yes. What else did he give you? A silver cigarette case and a gold ring like a chain. Did you go to his rooms at St. James's-place ? Yes. Going there, did you see Wilde? Yes. Had he two rooms there--a bedroom and a sitting-room? Yes. What time was it you first went? In the afternoon between four and five o'clock. I had tea with him there. What took place afterwards? We went into the bedroom. And the same kind of thing took place? Yes. How often did you go to the rooms in St. James's place? I went very often; nearly every day sometimes. Have you had lunch there? Yes. I went to the Crystal Palace with Wilde after meeting him at St. James's-place, and had lunch with him. Do you remember going with him to music-halls? Yes, he was in a box at the Pavilion. Afterwards where did you go ? I went with him to St. James's-place. He let himself in with his keys, and I went with him. Similar acts took place, and we came out and left the place together. We drove part of the way to Park-walk,Chelsea. I got out and he drove on. I had a room at 50, Park-walk. Did Wilde ever come there? Yes; once. Did he walk or come by cab? By cab. Did he come into your room? Yes. Did he keep the cab waiting? Yes. Your room was a bedroom? Yes. Nothing took place on that occasion. What time was it? It was at night. The magistrate: Why did he come? Just to see me. Mr. Gill: After that there was some un-pleasantness with the landlady, and you left? Yes.

Mr. Humphreys, on behalf of Wilde, stated that he wished to reserve his cross-examination, as the matter had taken them by surprise, and he had had no time to prepare the case.

Taylor, who was not represented, reserved his right to cross-examine the witness. William Parker, brother of the preceding witness, was next called.

The court then adjourned for half an hour.

At two o'clock the court resumed, and William Parker, brother of Charles Parker, was called. He said he was formerly in employment as a groom. In March, 1893, his brother and he were out of employment. He confirmed the evidence of his brother as to the meeting with Taylor in the restaurant.

During his examination the witness became very pale, and was allowed to sit down. He corroborated the statement of the last witness as to a visit to Taylor's house, the dinner at the restaurant with Taylor and Wilde, and the subsequent departure of his brother with Wilde. He could not fix the date in March when the dinner given by Wilde took place. Taylor was asked if he had any questions to put to witness. He replied, "No; I won't say anything at present."

Mrs. Grant, residing in Little College-street, said Taylor occupied rooms in her house for a year and eight months. He left during the year 1893. He had a sitting-room, bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. She described the rooms minutely, and testified to the kind of company Taylor kept. She could not recognise Oscar Wilde.

Sir J. Bridge to Wilde: Stand up, Wilde.

The prisoner stood up, and witness repeated her statement that she couldn't recognise him. She had heard Taylor speak of his friend Oscar. Mrs. Grant described the visits paid by various persons, and said that on one occasion a sergeant of police called there, and she showed him the rooms. He was placed in such a position that he could hear Taylor's voice. She knew that the house was watched. Taylor left her house at a few days notice. He left no papers or telegrams behind. He never told her what his occupation was.

Alfred Wood was the next witness. He is a fair young man, attired in black. He described himself as a clerk, and said he knew the prisoner Wilde. In January, 1893, he was staying with Taylor in Little George-street. He met Wilde at a cafe in Regent-street about nine o'clock in the evening. They went to a restaurant in Rupert-street, and had supper. They afterwards went to Wilde's house in Tite-street, Chelsea. Witness was under the influence of drink at the time Wilde gave him £3 before leaving the restaurant. A few days afterward he met Wilde again, and went with him to his house in Tite-street. Witness hired a room in Langham-street; Wilde visited him there. On several occasions Wilde had given him money; generally £2 or £3 at a time. He also gave witness a watch and chain. There was some negotiations through Taylor about his going to America, and he saw Wilde who gave him two £10 notes and two £5 notes.

Did you give him some letters? Witness hesitatingly said Wilde asked for some letters and he thought to gave him some. Sir J. Bridge: Did you give him some? Yes.

Witness then described his lunching with Wilde and the payment of a further sum of £5.

Several other young men were called to support the charge and the case was adjourned until Thursday next, bail being refused.

It is stated on good authority that Sir Edward Clarke has written to Mr. Oscar Wilde offering to defend him without a fee.

It is said that another sensational development may be expected before the court meets on Thursday, and that a further arrest may be expected.

A warrant was granted this afternoon for the arrest of another person prominently mentioned at the Old Bailey trial, and he will probably share the dock with Taylor and Wilde when the court sits again.

A hundred pounds in bank notes were found on Wilde when searched at Bow-street last evening. An application will probably be made for this money to be handed to Mr. Humphreys, the defending solicitor, and it is not expected that Mr. Gill will offer any objection.

Considerable surprise has been expressed that the prosecution has been taken under the Criminal Law Amendment Act, sec. 11., as by that Act the offence charged -- "malicious assault" -- is reduced from a felony to a misdemeanour, with a maxim sentence of two years for each offence to run concurrently or not in the discretion of the judge.

The Marquis of Queensberry wishes to correct the statement that has been published with regard to his message to Oscar Wilde. It has been reported that as soon as the trial ended, Lord Queensberry sent the following message to Mr. Wilde: "If the country allows you to leave, all the better for the country; but if you take my son with you, I will follow you wherever you go and shoot you." This statement is not correct. The message was sent some days ago, and not after the trial ended. Lord Queensberry did not say he would shoot Mr. Wilde. What he said was that if be persuaded his misguided son to go with him, he would feel quite justified in following him (Wilde) and shooting him, did he feel inclined to do so, and were he worth the trouble.

NEW YORK, April 6.

The management of the Lyceum Theatre, where Oscar Wilde's play, "An Ideal Husband," is now running, have decided to remove the author's name from the bills and programmes.

Miss Rose Coulan, who has been playing "A Woman of No Importance" in the Western States, as resolved to outfit the play from her repertoire.