Auckland Star - Thursday, April 4, 1895

London, April 4.

In cross examination, Wilde admitted he was acquainted with young men named Taylor, Parker, and Atkins. Taylor had introduced him to five young men on separate occasions, to whom witness had given money, but he was not aware any of them were gentlemen's servants. He said he derived pleasure from being in the company of bright, happy people. Witness had frequented Taylor's room, and was aware that both Taylor and Parker had once been arrested, but he continued their friendship. Once he took Atkins and a youth named Price to Paris, and introduced them to another youth named Ernest Scarp, who became acquainted with Lord Douglas when he was making a voyage to Australia. Wilde said he had made presents to Scarp and Mabor because he liked them.

Letters read in Court proved that the Marquis of Queensbury was endeavouring to stop his son visiting Wilde. The son wired back to his father that Wilde was a funny little man. The Marquis subsequently called at Wilde's house, where a furious scene took place. The latter denied charges levelled against him, and showed the Marquis the door. The witness wrote to the Marquis, complaining that his wife encouraged his son's visits. Wilde's friendship with Lady Queensbery and her son remained unbroken. Certain letters from the youths already named showed that the writers were poverty-stricken, some imploring assistance or employment.

West Coast Times - Saturday, April 6, 1895

London, April 4.

In cross-examination, Oscar Wilde admitted he was acquainted with young men named Taylor, Parker, and Atkens. Taylor had introduced him to 5 young men on separate occasions, to whom witness had given money, but he was not aware that any of them were gentlemen's servants. He said he derived pleasure from being in the company of bright and happy people. Witness had frequently been to Taylor's room, and was aware that both Taylor and Parker had been arrested, but still continued their friendship. Once he took Atkens and a youth named Price to Paris and introduced them to another youth named Earnest Scarp, who became acquainted with Lord Douglas when making a voyage to Australia. Wilde said he had made presents to Scarp and Mabor because he liked them. Letters were read in Court which proved that the Marquis of Queensbery was endeavoring to stop his son from visiting Wilde. His son wired back to his father that Wilde was a funny little man. The Marquis subsequently called at Wilde's house, where a furious scene took place. The latter denied the charges levelled against him, and showed the Marquis the door. Witness wrote to the Marquis complaining that his wife encouraged his son's visits. Wilde's friendship with Lady Queensbery and the sons remained unbroken. Certain letters from the youths already named showed that the writers were poverty stricken. Some were imploring assistance or employment.

Wilde admitted close intimacy with a number of young men but denied anything impropsr in it. He said he paid no regard to social inferiority if the friends were amusing. Lord Douglas' letters showed he threatened to shoot his father if he attempted to thrash him. The Marquis's letter referred to an eminent statesman but the reference was political. Wilde's case is closed.

Carson, in opening for the defence, declared plaintiff's protegés were among the most immoral persons in London. Wilde's intimacies were absolutely irreconcilable with his claims as an exponent of culture. His literature alone justified the charges against him. In conclusion he claimed the defendant's witnesses, amongst whom was Wood, the chief blackmailer, would prove the case to the hilt.

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