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

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 different 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. He was aware that both Parker and Taylor had once been arrested, but 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 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 Queensberry 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. Wilde wrote to the Marquis complaining that his wife encouraged his son's visits. Wilde's friendship with Lady Queensberry and her sons remained unbroken. Certain letters from the youths already named showed that the writers were poverty-stricken, some imploring assistance or employment.

Immense crowds attend the trial of the Marquis of Queensbery on a charge of libelling Oscar Wilde. 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 old clothes when given away. The defence is based on revelations in these letters.

Wilde was subjected to a stringent cross-examination with the view of showing "Dorian Grey" and some articles in the magazine "Chameleon" with which he is connected, are of an immoral tendency. Wilde insisted that they are merely the expression of an artistic faculty. His letters to 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.