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WILDE V. QUEENSBERRY.

In cross-examination, Oscar Wilde admitted that 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 that any of them were gentlemen's servants. He said he derived pleasure from being in the company of bright happy people. Witness had frequently been in Taylor's room. 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 making a voyage to Australia. Wilde said he had made presents to Scarp and Mayby because he liked them. Letters read in Court proved that the Marquis of Queensberry 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 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 Queensberry and her son remained unbroken. Certain letters from the youths already named showed that the writers were poverty stricken, some imploring assistance or employment.

London, April 4.

Immense crowds attend the trial of the Marquis of Queensbury on the charge of libelling Mr Oscar Wilde. The evidence adduced to-day showed that Wilde paid heavy blackmail for his gushing letters to Lord Alfred Douglas (the Marquis' son), which were found in the pockets of his old clothes when given away. The defence is based on the revelations in these letters.

Later.

In cross-examination Wilde admitted that he was acquainted with the young men named Taylor, Parker, and Atkinson. Taylor had introduced him to five young men on different 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 Taylor in a room. Witness was aware that Taylor and Parker had once been arrested, but continued their friendship. Once he took Atkinson and a youth named Price to Paris and introduced them to another youth named Ernest Scarp, who became acquainted with Lord Douglas when making the voyage to Australia. Wilde said he had made presents to Scarp and Mabor because he liked them. The letters read in Court proved that the Marquis of Queensbury was endeavoring 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 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 Queensbury and her son remained unbroken. Certain letters from the youths already named showed that the writers were poverty stricken, some imploring assistance or employment.

Oscar Wilde explained the effusive language of the letters addressed to Lord Douglas as the natural expression of an artist attracted by a beautiful personality. The Marquis of Queensberry visited his residence and threatened Wilde, to which that gentleman responded with, "You are the most infamous brute in London."

Wilde was subjected to a stringent cross-examination with the view of showing that "Dorian Gray," and some articles in a magazine, the Chameleon, with which he is connected, are of an immoral tendency. Wilde insisted that they are merely an expression of the artistic faculty. His letters to Lord Douglas were prose poems—extraordinary, perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation. He admitted he gave one of his alleged blackmailers £21, and lunched with him in a private room afterwards.

The case was adjourned, defendant being admitted to bail.