The Brooklyn Daily Eagle - Thursday, April 4, 1895

London, April 4– The prosecution in the libel suit brought by Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry was concluded to-day, after Wilde has been under cross examination yesterday and to-day altogether for six hours. He was briefly put under the redirect by his counsel before resting his case. In opening for the defense, Mr. Carson, counsel for the marquis, bitterly arraigned Wilde and stated the nature of the defense which will be an attempt to prove the charges which Queensberry made in the libel alleged. Most of the London papers are printing the testimony of the suit almost verbatim. The St. James Gazette is an exception and had taken a stand editorially against such publication.

During the course of his remarks in opening the defense, Mr. Carson alluded in complimentary terms in the course of Mr. Beerbohm Tree in forwarding to the plaintiff a copy of the anonymous letter handed to the English actor, whereupon Justice Collins said: "There is no occasion to mention the name of Mr. Beerbohn Tree."

Mr. Carson, in reply, remarked, "Nor should I do so, my lord, had it not been that I received a cable message from Mr. Tree to-day, asking that his connection with the case be fully explained."

"Every one understands that Mr. Tree’s connection with the case is in every way honorable and praiseworthy." said the justice, in conclusion.

Wilde returned to the court room for a few minutes before adjournment. Among the letter produced in court and addressed by the Marquis of Queensberry to his son, Lord Alfred Douglas, was one saying that Wilde was "a cur and a coward." Such was the interest taken in the proceedings that the services of an extra force of police were required outside the Old Bailey in order to disperse the large crowds which assembled in the neighborhoood in order to see the principals in this notorious case.

The San Francisco Examiner - Friday, April 5, 1895

LONDON, April 4. - There was unabated interest to-day at the Old Bailey in taking testimony on the second day of the trial of the suit for libel brought by Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry. The audience was largely composed of lawyers and reporters. There were few notable persons present. The plaintiff arrived at an early hour and took a seat at the table reserved for solicitors. He brushed back his hair in his usual fashion and struck an attitude for effect. The Marquis of Queensberry entered a few minutes later looking jaunty and confident. Several of his friends rushed forward and shook the defendant's hand as he entered the dock.

Oscar Wilde, upon resuming his place on the witness-stand, admitted that he had attended tea parties in the rooms of a man named Taylor, which were artistically furnished, and in which perfumes were burning. and in which perfumes were burning. He denied, however, that he had seen Taylor in woman's costume. Upon every occasion of his visiting Taylor's house he had met a man named Mavori, who had since disappeared. Wilde said he was aware Taylor had been arrested.

Mr. Carson asked: "When you read of Taylor's arrest did it make any difference in your friendship for him?"

"I was greatly distressed, and wrote to him. His arrest did not affect my friendship," said Wilde. Wilde admitted his acquaintanceship with a man of the name of Atkins, who was employed by a bookmaker. He first met Atkins at the rooms of a gentleman whose name he declined to give, but which he handed up to the Judge. The name was not made known by the court. Atkins went to Paris with him. Wilde paid the fares, and had given Atkins £3 upon one occasion and £15 on another. Besides this he had given him presents of various articles.

Sir Edward Clarke, formerly Solicitor-General, leading counsel for Oscar Wilde, then began his re-direct examination of his client by putting in certain letters of the Marquis of Queensberry in which he called upon his son, Lord Alfred Douglas, to cease his intimacy with the plaintiff, saying that his "blood turned cold at the sight of their faces." He added: "I hear that Wilde's wife will petition for a divorce. If you do not cease to let him disgrace us I shall feel justified in shooting him on sight."

To this letter Lord Alfred Douglas replied by telegraph to his father, saying: "What a funny little man you are."

After the afternoon session Mr. Carson began his speech for the defense. It was terribly denunciatory of Wilde, who left the courtroom as soon as counsel for the defendant began to speak. Lord Alfred Douglas was present in court for a short time during the morning, but he did not return in the afternoon.

Mr. Carson carefully reviewed the evidence, scathingly denounced Wilde and said the witnesses he would produce would prove to the jury beyond any doubt the guilt of the plaintiff. During the course of his remarks Mr. Carson alluded in complimentary terms to the course of Mr. Beerbohm Tree in forwarding to plaintiff a copy of the anonymous letter handed to the English actor, whereupon Justice Collins said: "There is no occasion to mention the name of Mr. Beerbohm Tree."

Mr. Carson, in reply, remarked: "Nor should I do so, my Lord, had it not been that I received a cable message from Mr. Beerbohm Tree to-day asking that his connection be fully explained."

Most of the newspapers are printing the testimony in the suit almost verbatim, but its character is such to-day that the St. James Gazette says: "The nature of the evidence, and the whole circumstances of the case have come to be of such a character that we cannot report it.

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