The Freeman’s Journal - Friday, April 12, 1895

London, Thursday

Oscar Wilde and Alfred Taylor again appeared in the dock at Bow street to-day, the former on charges of gross indecency and his companion on a warrant alleging conspiracy for an unlawful purpose. The Extradition Court was thronged when Sir John Bridge took his seat.

Mr Gill again appeared for the Treasury; Sir Edward Clarke and Mr Travers Humphreys defended Wilde; Mr Arthur Newton, solicitor, appeared for Taylor.

Both prisoners have altered somewhat in appearance. Wilde is thinner and paler, and Taylor has lost the jaunty and contemptuous bearing with which he surveyed his surroundings on the last occasion.

Sir E Clarke said he appeared to defend Mr Oscar Wilde. He did not propose to cross-examine the witnesses called on Saturday, and probably should take the same course with the other witnesses. His desire was to shorten the proceedings in that court.

The Magistrate said it was incumbent on all of them to get the matter over as soon as possible.

Charles Parker, recalled, was cross-examined by Mr Newton. He admitted being arrested in August last in Fitzroy square, but denied he was a friend of any of the men arrested there. Witness knew a man named Atkins, but was not aware that he was a notorious blackmailer.

Mr Gill did not know why this cross-examination was being pursued.

Mr Newton replied that he was entitled to show this witness was an associate of most notorious and degraded characters. Parker replying to further questions admitted receiving from two men £30, being part of a sum which had been obtained from a gentleman under an accusation of crime.

Frederick Atkins, who described himself as a comedian, detailed circumstances under which, in November, 1892, he accompanied Wilde to Paris.

Edward Shelley, who said he was formerly employed at a firm of publishers with whom the defendant Wilde had business, also gave evidence against him.

The proprietor of the Hotel Albemarle said he pressed Wilde for a small bill to deter him from frequenting that house. This was in consequence of something he had seen.

Mr Gill announced that he did not propose to go further to-day.

Sir J Bridge thereupon remanded the prisoner until to-morrow week, and again declined to accept bail

Belfast News-Letter - Friday, April 12, 1895

London, Thurday.—To-day Sir John Bridge again sat in the Extradition Court at Bow Street to hear further evidence on the charges of gross indecency preferred against Oscar Fingal O'Flaherty Wilde, poet and dramatist. With him was Alfred Taylor, who, it will be remembered, was arrested during the progress of the case on Saturday last. This morning two stalwart police constables guarded the gates at the foot of the staircase leading to the Extradition Court, and a few minutes before eleven, when, at a signal given by the chief usher, the bolts were drawn, there was a rush for places, but owing to the very limited accommodation the majority of those who were, admitted were obliged to stand. Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., M.P., whose offer to conduct the defence of Wilde had been thankfully accepted, sat in the seats reserved for counsel, accompanied by Mr. Travers Humphreys, barrister, his junior. Mr. Arthur Newton, freshly instructed, sat at the solicitor's table, holding in his hand a brief for the prisoner Taylor. Mr. C. F. Gill, who, instructed bv Mr. Angus Lewis, conducts the case for the prosecution, arrived later, the Honourable H. Cuffe, of the Treasury, also attending. The charge against Taylor is that of conspiring with Wilde. Sir John took his seat at five minutes past eleven o'clock.

Wilde's face has undergone a distinct change since his appearance on Saturday. He is paler and thinner. He entered with a languid and wearisome air, and having seated himself at one end of the dock, leant heavily upon his right elbow. Taylor had lost the jaunty and rather contemptuous bearing with which he surveyed his surroundings on the last occasion.

Sir Edward Clarke at once rose and said — I appear in this case with my friend, Mr. Travers Humphreys, for the defence of Mr. Oscar Wilde. I have had the opportunity of reading the depositions which were taken last Saturday, and I am much obliged for the permission to postpone the cross-examination of those witnesses. But upon considering the matter I have decided not to ask for those witnesses to be called for cross-examination, as probably no cross-examination could affect the result, so far as this Court is concerned. And, of course, it is desirable on all grounds that the investigation shall be taken in as short a time as possible, and with as few occasions of hearing in this court as possible, and saying that with regard to the witnesses who have been called I shall probably take the same course with regard to other witnesses with a view to shorten the proceedings before you.

Sir John Bridge—It is absolutely incumbent upon all of us to get the matter over as quickly and as speedily as possible.

Mr. Newton asked to be allowed to put a few questions to some of the witnesses examined on Saturday.

Charles Parker, recalled, was cross-examined by Mr. Newton. He admitted being arrested in August last in Fitzroy Square, but denied he was a friend of any of the men arrested there. Witness knew a man named Atkins, but was not aware that he was a notorious blackmailer.

Mr. Gill did not know why this cross-examination was being pursued.

Mr. Newton replied that he was entitled to show this witness was an associate of most notorious and degraded characters. Parker, replying to further questions, admitted receiving from two men £30, being part of a sum which had been obtained from a gentleman under an accusation of crime.

Frederick Atkins, who described himself as a comedian, detailed circumstances under which, in November, 1892, he accompanied Wilde to Paris.

Edward Shelley, who said he was formerly employed at a firm of publishers with whom the defendant, Wilde, had business, also gave evidence against him.

The proprietor of the Hotel Albermarle said he pressed Wilde for a small bill to deter him from frequenting that house. This was in consequence of something he had seen.

Mr. Gill announced that he did not propose to go further to-day.

Sir J. Bridge thereupon remanded the prisoner until to-morrow week, and again declined to accept bail.

New York, Monday. — Mr. John Lane, publisher, of London, writes to the Central News agent in New York as follows :—"The details of Oscar Wilde's case have not been extensively reported here, but private cable adviees inform me that it has been stated in court that I introduced Shelley to Wilde. Allow me to say that I did not know Wilde except by sight until he became an active partner with Elkin Mathews in February, 1892, and after Mathews had arranged to publish Wilde's poems. At that time Shelley had been clerk to Mathews for a whole year, and acting in that capacity Shelley had already made the acquaintance of Wilde. My relations with Wilde have been entirely of a business nature. I have never introduced anyone to him. On the contrary, I have frequently declined to do so. My attitude towards him is quite well known. After seeing the papers here on my arrival last Sunday I immediately cabled to my manager to withdraw all of Wilde's books, and not merely his name from the title pages."

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