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London, Monday.—The second trial of Oscar Wilde and Alfred Taylor was fixed to commence this morning at the Central Criminal Court before Mr. Justice Wills. There was a large attendance of the public while the Junior Bar was strongly represented. Wilde was accompanied by his two sureties—Lord Douglas of Hawick and the Rev. Stewart Headlam—and when called upon to surrender walked smilingly into the dock. His health benefited greatly by his temporary freedom. He was at once joined by Taylor, who was brought from the cells.

The Solicitor-General (Sir F. Lockwood, Q.C.), Mr H. Sutton, Mr C. F Gill, and Mr. Horace Avory appeared for the prosecution. Counsel for the defence of Wilde were the same as at the previous trial—namely, Sir E. Clarke, Q.C., Mr. Charles Matthews, and Mr. Travers Humphreys. Taylor was again defended by Mr. Grain, assisted by Mr W. Clark Hall, in place of Mr. Paul Taylor. The indictment differed considerably from that originally framed.

Before the jury were sworn, Sir E. Clarke asked that in this case the defendants might be separately tried. On the last occasion he said there were twenty-five counts, and on many of them a verdict of not guilty was returned. There were only eight counts affecting Wiide, none of which affected Taylor, and, therefore, he submitted that as the counts were separate the prisoners should be tried separately.

Mr. Grain concurred in Sir Edward Clarke's application.

The Solictor-Generai opposed the application, and said the evidence in two, at least, of the counts necessitated the defendants being tried jointly. The result of trying them separately would be that evidence would have to be given of the conduct of another person who would not be on his trial.

The Judge said he anticipated that such an application might be made, and had given the subject careful consideration. He thought it would be best that the defendants should be tried separately.

The Solicitor-General then asked to have the case of Taylor taken first.

Sir Edward Clarke opposed the application, and asked to have Wilde's case taken before Taylor's, as Wilde's name appeared first in the calendar.

The Judge thought it was within the discretion of the prosecution to say which case they would take first.

Sir Edward Clarke next asked that Wilde's case should stand over until next sessions. He was proceeding to adduce arguments in support of his application, when The Judge stopped him, and said he had better defer his application until after the trial of Taylor.

On Sir Edward Clarke's application, His Lordship said Wilde could be allowed out on the same bail as before when the sureties were present.

Sir Edward said that they had left the court, but would be sent for.

Mr. Wilde then left the dock.

The Solicitor-General then opened the case against Taylor.

The case for the prosecution concluded at four o'clock, and Mr. Grain proceeded to address the jury for the prisoner, and had not concluded when the Court adjourned.

At the Central Criminal Court, London, yesterday, before Mr Justice Wills, Oscar Wilde, 40, author, and Alfred Taylor, 33, of no occupation, were indicted a second time for certain misdemeanours.

Sir Edward Clarke, Q. C. applied that the cases of the two defendants might be taken separately.

The Solicitor General said the results of the defendants being so tried would be that matter would have to be introduced which might be unfair to the other defendant not on his trial.

The Judge said that, having carefully considered the matter, his notion was that the case ought to be taken seperately.

Sir Edward Clarke applied next that the case of Wilde be taken first.

The Judge said that he could not interfere with the discretion of the Solicitor General in this matter.

The Solicitor General elected to proceed with the case of Taylor first.

Sir Edward Clarke desired to make a further application, having in view the course which the Crown had taken—viz, that the trial of Mr Wilde be taken at the next session.

The Judge said that the application had better be made at the conclusion of the case of Taylor.

The Solicitor General opened the case and evidence was taken.

Mr Grain addressed the Court on behalf of Taylor and had not concluded his speech when the Court adjourned.

Before leaving, his Lordship asked the Jury to keep an open mind on the case, and not to form any conclusion until they had heard everything that had to be said on the case.

On Tuesday afternoon, Alfred Taylor was found guilty of committing acts of gross indecency with Charles and William Parker. Sentence was postponed. The Marquis of Queensberry was in attendance during the day and remained in court until the finish of the case.

On Wednesday morning, Oscar Wilde, 40, author, surrendered to take his trial a second time on an indictment charging him with certain misdemeanours. The Solicitor-General said the charges alleged against the prisoner extended over a period from February 1892, down to about March, 1893. He thought the jury, after they had heard the evidence, would be of opinion that the statements of the witnesses were fully corroborated, so far as they possibly could be. Oscar Wilde gave money to Wood in March, 1893, and Wood went to America. Edward Shelley detailed the circumstances under which he made the acquaintance of Oscar Wilde and as to his relationship with the prisoner, his evidence being a repitition of that given at the last trial. Wood and Charles Parker having given evidence, the case was adjourned.

On Thursday Wm, Parker, brother of Char. Parker, was first called, and was followed by witnesses from the Savoy hotel, some of the evidence not having been given before. The prisoner's evidence in the Queensberry's trial was then read by counsel. At five minutes past three the Solicitor-General intimated that the case for the prosecution had closed.

Sir Edward Clarke, for the defence, first submitted that on the counts charging the prisoner with indecenies with persons unknown at the Savoy hotel on the 9th and 20th March, 1893, there was no evidence to go to the jury, on the ground that the evidence of the chambermaids was uncorroborated.

Mr Justice Wills thought his duty led him to submit these counts to the jury.

Sir Edward Clarke submitted in regard to Shelley that there was no corroboration.

His Lordship said Shelley must be treated as an accomplice, and at present he could see no corroboration. This charge would therefore be withdrawn.

Sir E. Clarke said in the case of Wood he should again submit that there was no corroboration of the charge.

The Solicitor-General protested against the charges being withdrawn other than by the jury under the direction of the Judge. In the case of Wood he submitted that there was sample corroboration.

His Lordship said he should leave this case to the jury, but he should point out to them in what direction it went.

The case was again adjourned.