Compare Documents

London, April 4.— The trial of Oscar Wilde’s libel suit against the Marquis of Queensberry was resumed today. The cross-examination of Wilde was continued. He admitted attending afternoon tea parties at the house of a man named Taylor, where he said he met a youth named Mavorl, who had since disappeared. Wilde was aware that Taylor had been arrested. He did not know Taylor was notorious because of his practices. Taylor had introduced him to five young men. Wilde’s made young men presents they were poor.

Wilde said he knew two brothers named Parker. He had dined with them. He was not aware that one was a valet and the other a groom. He had given one money on the occasion of his taking tea with him (Wilde) in the latter’s private rooms. When Taylor and one of the Parkers were arrested, they wore women’s clothes and were charged with felonious practices. Wilde said Taylor’s arrest did not affect witness friendship for him.

Wilde knew a man named Atkins. They went to Paris and shopped together. Wilde said he paid the fares, but declared it was an infamous lie to say they were guilty of misconduct. Wilde knew a youth named Granger and became angry when asked if he had ever kissed Granger. He declared that counsel was insolent. This ended the cross-examination.

In direct examination letters written by the Marquis of Queensberry were read. In them the marquis condemned his son for his conduct with Wilde and reviled Rosebery, Gladstone and the Queen for the appointment of his son to the peerage of Drumlanrig. In one letter the marquis declared Lord Douglas was not his own son.

At the conclusion of Wilde’s redirect examination, the prosecution closed.

Counsel for the defence in opening declared that Queensberry wanted to save his son from Wilde, when according to his own admission, was a friend of a man known to be a procurer of boys for vicious purposes. Counsel declared the letter from Wilde to Lord Douglas showed Wilde to be guilty.

The St. James Gazette announces that owing to the nature of the testimony in the Wilde libel suit, the paper will not further report the proceedings.

London, Apr. 4. -- The trial of the action of Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry for libel was resumed today in the central criminal court, Old Bailey, with the complaintant again in the witness box, Mr. Carson cross-examining.

Mr. Wilde in answer to a question said he had been introduced to the man Wood by a man named Taylor.

He had frequently visited Taylor's house to attend afternoon tea parties. Taylor he said, had a habit of burning perfumes in the room, but candles or gas were not lighted. Upon every occasion of his visiting Taylor's house he had met a youth named Mavori who had since disappeared.

Mr. Wildewas questoned in regard to his acquaintanceship with two brothers named Parker. He replied that he knew them and had dined with them. He was not aware that one of them was a valet and the other a groom, both of them out of employment.

Mr. Carson: "When you read of Taylor's arrest did it make any difference in your friendship for him?"

Mr. Wilde: "I was greatly distressed and wrote to him. His arrest did not affect my friendship."

Mr. Wilde admitted his acquaintanceship with a man named Atkins who was employed by a bookmalker. He first met Atkins at the rooms of a gentleman whose name he declined to give, but which he handed up to the judge.

He had given Atklns £3 upon one occasion and £15 on another. Besides he had given him presents of various articles. A youth named Maber had stopped with him in a hotel in London. Wilde said he was a nice charming young fellow.

He gave Maber a cigarette case worth £4. He knew also a youth named Grainger who was a servant to Lord Alfred Douglas, son of the Marquis of Queensberry.

Sir Edward Clarke in re-direct examination began by reading a number of letters written by the Marquis of Queensbery to his son, Lord Alfred Douglas, in which the marquis condemned his son for his conduct with Wilde. He also read a letter written by the marquis reviling Lord Rosebery, Mr. Gladstone and the Queen because of the appointment of his son to the peerage of Drumlanrig. In one of the letters the marquis declared that Lord Alfred Douglas was not his son.