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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.

London, Wednesday.At the Central Criminal Court to-day, before Justice Wills, Oscar Wilde was put upon his trial for the second time on a charge of committing indecent acts.

Sir Frank Lockwood, Mr C F Gill, and Mr Horace Avory appeared for the prosecution, and the prisoner was defended by Sir Edward Clarke, Mr Charles Matthews, and Mr Travers Humphreys.

The court was densely crowded. Wilde came into the court at 10 30 and at once entered the dock.

Sir Frank Lockwood, in opening the case, explained the charge against the defendant, and gave a detailed statement of the occasions on which the prosecution would rely.

Edward Shelley was the first witness examined. His evidence referred to the period of three months after he became acquainted with the accused.

A number of letters from witness to Wilde were read, thanking the defendant for his many kindnesses to witness and appealing for help.

In cross-examination witness admitted that several statements contained in these letters were either exaggerations or untruths, and that when they were written he was becoming very unwell mentally. This was through overstudy, and he was very unwell mentally in August, ‘94, but there was nothing the matter now. Evidence was given by Mr Matthews, publisher, of Vigo street, as to Shelley being in his employ, and the proprietor of Albemarle Hotel deposed to Wilde staying there, and being visited by persons who apparently were not gentleman.

Wood then repeated the evidence which has already been published.