The Gazette - Friday, April 5, 1895

LONDON, April 4.-- The trial of the action of Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry for libel was resumed to-day in the Central criminal court, Old Bailey, with the complainant in the witness box, Mr. Carson examining.

[The evidence dealt with very unsavory matters and was somewhat prolonged. In reply to one question by Mr. Carson, Wilde said the council had insulted him by asking it.]

Sir Edward Clark then questioned the witness in redirect examination. He began by reading a number of letters written by the Marquis of Queensberry 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.

At the conclusion of Mr. Wilde's redirect examination the case for the prosecution was closed.

Mr. Carson, in opening the case for the defence, declared that all that the Marquis of Queensberry had said and done he stood by, withdrawing nothing. His sole object in all the steps he had taken was to save his son from the influence of Wilde. The man Woods had now returned to England, and would give the true version of the negotiations carried on between himself and Wilde for the return to the latter of a letter written by him. Mr. Carson referred to the letter from Wilde to Lord Alfred Douglas as showing that Wilde had conceived for him an abominable passion. The court here adjourned.

The St. James Gazette makes the announcement that owing to the nature of the testimony being taken in the Wilde-Queensberry libel suit, the management of that paper have decided not to report the proceedings of the case any further.

Manitoba Morning Free Press - Friday, April 5, 1895

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.

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