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(Before MR. JUSTICE WILLS.)OSCAR WlLDE, 40, author, surrendered to his bail and was indicted for unlawfully committing acts of gross indecency with Charles Parker, Alfred Wood, Edward Shelley, and with certain persons whose names were unknown.

The Solicitor-General (Sir F. Lockwood, Q.O.), Mr.C. F . Gill, and Mr. Horace Avory appeared for the prosecution on the part of the Director of Public Prosecutions; Sir. Edward Clarke, Q.C., Mr. Charles Mathews, and Mr. Travers Humphreys defended.

Tho SOLICITOR-GENERAL, in opening the case, said the charge was under the Criminal Law Amendment Act. The indictment comprised charges ranging from February 20, 1892, up to October 23, 1893, and he thought it more convenient that he should deal with the charges in their chronological order. The defendant was a man of literary attainments, and was the author of various dramatic works of power and intellect. The Solicitor-General proceeded to refer to the charges in their chronological order, and indicated what the evidence would be which would be adduced on the part of the prosecution.

Edward Shelley was then called and examined by Mr. C.F. Gill.

In cross-examination by Sir Edward Clarke, the witness said he was very fond of literature and had a great admiration for Wilde's works. In October, 1892, he wrote to Wilde saying he was suffering from nervousness, the result of insomnia. On April 25, 1894, he wrote a letter to Wilde in which he asked him to help him, as he had lost his health and strength and wanted to go away for rest somewhere--he thought in Cornwall; he asked Wilde to lend him £10 until Christmas, saying that he would be able to repay him by that time. He added that people laughed at him and thought him strange. At the time he wrote that letter he was ill, having overworked himself by studying at night after his work in the day time was over. It was the fact that people laughed at him at the time and thought him strange in his behaviour. Wilde did not lend him £10, but he afterwards gave witness 10s. at a restaurant. On June 15, 1894, witness wrote asking Wilde to use his influence on his behalf to get him employment. In 1894 witness was ill mentally, but there was nothing the matter with him now.

Evidence was given by Alfred Wood.

In cross-examination by SIR EDWARD CLARKE, Wood said a sum of £175 was given to him by a man named Allen. Allen had a sum of £400 or £500 given him by a gentleman, and Allen gave witness £175 of it. Witness had done nothing to deserve that money. Being asked why the sum of £400 or £500 was paid to Allen, the witness replied that he did not know. Being further questioned as to how Alien came to get the £400 or £500, the witness replied that Allen might have blackmailed the man, but witness did not know that Allen did do so. Allen gave Charles Parker £30.

Charles Parker gave evidence, and he was also cross-examined in considerable detail by SIR EDWARD CLARKE.

The hearing of the case was then adjourned until to-morrow, Wilde being admitted on the same bail.

MR. JUSTICE WILLS advised the jury not to allow any one to speak to them about the case.

(Before MR. JUSTICE WILLS.)The trial of OSCAR WILDE, 40 , author, upon a charge of unlawfully committing certain acts with Charles Parker, Alfred Wood, and Edward Shelley, and with persons whose names were unknown, was resumed.

The Solicitor-General (Sir F. Lockwood, Q.C.), Mr. C. F.Gill, and Mr. Horace Avory conducted the prosecution; Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., Mr. Charles Mathews, and Mr. Travers Humphreys defended.

The examination of witnesses on the part of the prosecution was continued.

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL put in the shorthand notes of the evidence given by Wilde at the hearing at this Court of the charge of libel preferred by him against the Marquis of Queensberry, and said he proposed to read a portion of it.

Mr. JUSTICE WILLS said it was not necessary that ail that evidence should be read, but the Solicitor- General and Sir Edward Clarke could read the passages to which they wished to refer.

Sir Edward Clarke then read a portion of Wilde's evidence given in examination-in-chief, and the Solicitor-General, Mr. C.F. Gill, and Mr. Horace Avory read extracts from his cross-examination, passages from his re-examination being read by Sir Edward Clarke.

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL intimated that the evidence for the prosecution was concluded.

SIR EDWARD CLAKKE submitted that there was no case to go to the jury. He contended that there was no evidence to support the counts which charged Wilde with committing the acts alleged with persons whose names were unknown.

MR. JUSTICE WILLS said it would not be right for him to say that there was no evidence to go to the jury in reference to those counts, but it was an extremely weak case, and it was the slenderest possible evidence. It seemed to him a case which was just on the line, or so very nearly on the line, that he thought his wiser and safer course would be to leave it to the jury; but he felt it to be so completely on the line, or near the line, that if necessary he would certainly reserve the question for the Court of Criminal Appeal.

SiR EDWARD CLARKE submitted that there was no corroboration of Shelley's evidence.

MR. JUSTICE WILLS said there were traces in Shelley of disturbed intellect and actual delusions. He did not see any corroboration of Shelley.

The Solicitor-General submitted that Shelley was not an accomplice and that his evidence was corroborated.

MR. JUSTICE WILLS said that with regard to Shelley's case he entertained a very clear view. He had thought it well over, and had come to the conclusion, without hesitation, that, in the first place, Shelley must be treated as an accomplice. The rule was that the evidence of an accomplice must be corroborated. Apart from what Shelley said, he could see nothing but what was consistent with perfectly honourable relations between Shelley and Wilde. The letters, so far from corroborating Shelley, were opposed to the notion that there was anything dishonourable. He felt it his duty to withdraw Shelley's case from the jury.

SIR EDWARD CLARK submitted that there was no evidence to go to the jury on the other counts.

His LORDSHIP intimated that he should leave the other counts to the jury.

The hearing of the case was adjourned until to- morrow, Wilde being admitted to the same bail.