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At the Central Criminal Court this morning, before Mr Justice Wills, the second trial was commenced of Oscar Wilde on certain serious charges. The court was densely crowded.

Sir Frank Lockwood, Mr C F Gill, and Mr Horace Avory prosecuted on behalf of the Treasury, and the prisoner was defended by Sir Edward Clarke, Mr Charles Mathews, and Sir Travers Humphreys.

Oscar Wilde entered the court at half-past ten o'clock precisely, and when the judge came in shortly afterwards he went into the dock and took a seat in the right-hand corner. He looked very worried and careworn, and was very restless.

Sir Frank Lockwood opened the case for the Crown.

Edward Shelley was called and was examined by Mr Gill. He said that in 1892, when he was 17 years of age, he met Wilde at the offices of the publishers, where he was employed. Wilde invited him to dine with him at the Albemarle Hotel. After dinner he went with Wilde to his bedroom. Witness said his intimacy with Wilde continued for about three months, and he gave details of certain acts which took place in different places. He had to leave his berth in consequence of his friendship for Wilde. It became talked about. Eventually it also reached his father's ears.

Cross-examined by Sir Edward Clarke, witness said he left his employment in March, 1893, about nine or ten months after he had been about with Wilde. He quarrelled with Wilde at the Savoy Hotel in the Spring of 1893, and a few days afterwards wrote saying that he would not see him again.

Did you, at the police court, say that you wrote that letter at the end of 1893, or beginning of 1894? If I did so, it was a mistake.

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

In cross-examination witness admitted that several statements contained in those letters were either exaggerations or untruths, and that when they were written he was becoming very well mentally. This was through overstudy, and he was very unwell in August 1894, but there was nothing the matter now. On the first occasion at the Albemarle Hotel he was not drunk but excited. He was shocked at what took place, but went again within a week and, notwithstanding what had taken place in February, 1892, his friendly relations with Wilde continued unbroken up to 1893.

Sir Edward Clarke read the following extract from the letter from witness to Wilde, dated 27th October, 1892:— "Do not think me forgetful in not coming before. I shall never forget kindnesses, and I am conscious that I can never sufficiently express my thankfulness."

"What kindnesses?" asked Sir Edward Clarke.

Witness — He was friendly with me and helped me with advice about literature.

Do you mean to tell the jury that having in your mind what you say happened at the Albemarle Hotel you could write that? He seemed sorry for what he had done, and was very kind to me. He once offered me £100 to help me in my studies.

Sir Edward Clarke then read several letters from the witness to the defendant in which he addressed the defendant as "Dear Oscar," in one which he asked for a loan of £10. Wilde did not send him the money. In another letter he said that he was ill through overwork and through trying to live on £4 3s 4d a month, and he had to do so much for his mother and brothers. One of his brothers had a disordered mind. Mr Lane, a member of the firm in Vigo street, objected to his acquaintance with Wilde, and had offered to assist him with money as compensation for his leaving the firm. Yet in a letter to Wild about a year and a half afterwards witness had referred to Mr Lane as a viper, and said he despised him.

Witness now admitted that he should not have used the term.

The letter continued that witness's mother and brothers were dependent upon him, and he appealed to the defendant for help.

Witness now said that that was an exaggeration. His salary was very small, and he found it difficult to pay for his board and keep. At the time those letters were written he was very ill mentally through overstudy, and many of the statements they contained ought not to have been written. He got gradually worse up to August, '94, but there was nothing the matter with him now.

ln January last you committed an assault upon your father? Yes, I lost my temper.

And you were locked up? Yes.

And when you were arrested you asked that the messenger should go for Mr Wilde? Yes.

At that time was your mind deranged? I think I must have been out of my mind to insult my father.

Examined by Sir Frank Lockwood, witness said that before he met Wilde he was in congenial employment and was a happy boy. Wilde’s books and Wilde himself had fascinated him. His position in the firm at Vigo street became uncomfortable during the three months when he was going about with Wilde. Other persons besides Mr Lane had spoken to him about his acquaintance with Wilde.

What was the assault on your father about? It was in connection with Wilde. My father used a nasty expression and I threw a teacup at him.

Charles Matthews, publisher in Vigo street, formerly in partnership with Mr John Lane, deposed that Shelley was in his employ in 1892 and left in February, '93. He had seen a letter in Wilde's handwriting addressed to Shelley.

Mr Vogel, proprietor of the Hotel Albemarle, said that the defendant had stayed at his hotel various times, in April, 1892, people visited defendant who did not appear to be gentlemen.

AIfred Wood was the next witness called. He repeated the evidence which has already been published respecting his connection with Alfred Taylor, of 13 Little College street, Westminster, and with the defendant, whom he met on the 1st of January, '93, at the Cafe Royal, and with whom, after a sumptuous supper, he went home. The defendant gave witness money, and bought him a watch and chain, and some clothes. In March, '93, witness having expressed a desire to go to America, defendant gave him £30, and witness believed he gave to the defendant some letters in Wilde's handwriting addressed to "Dear Alf." On the following day defendant sent him another £5, and witness went to America at the end of March. Lord Alfred Douglas [...] appointment for witness to meet defendant.

Cross-examined by Sir Edward Clarke, witness said he was [...]. Formerly he was a clerk, but he could not say when he left his employment. He could not swear that he left in 1890.

By a Juryman—Can you not say within a year or two? [...] he had returned from America [...] had worked for his brother [...] He was living at present with a detective provided by the Crown (laughter).

Have you obtained money dishonestly in this country? No, not dishonestly.

Did you obtain in August last a sum of £[...]75? I had it given me.

Proceeding.

At the Old Bailey to-day, Oscar Wilde was again put upon his trial to answer indictments under Section 11 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act. The presiding judge was Mr Justice Wills.

The Solicitor General (Sir F. Lockwood), Mr. C. F. Gill, and Mr. Horace Avory appeared to prosecute on behalf of the Treasury. Wilde was represented by Sir Edward Clarke, Mr. Charles Mathews, and Mr. Travers Humphreys.

Wilde, accompanied by the Rev. Stewart Headlam, arrived at half-past ten, immediately after which his lordship took his seat. The court was crowded.

The jury having been sworn, the Solicitor General at once proceeded to open the case on behalf of the prosecution, giving at the outset a sketch of the prisoner's career.