The Indianapolis News - Thursday, April 4, 1895

London, April 4. -- There was unabated interest to-day at the Old Bailey in the taking of testimony on the second day of the trial of the suit for libel brought by Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry, but there were few notable persons present. The plaintiff arrived in court at an early hour and took his seat at the table reserved for the solicitors. The Marquis of Queensberry entered a few minutes later, looking jaunty and confident.

Mr. Carson's cross-examination of the plaintiff was concluded at noon, after having lasted, including the time of yesterday, over six hours. Sir Edward Clarke, leading counsel for Wilde, then began the examination of his client.

After the noon recess the crowd in the court room was larger than ever, and the hall and stairs leading to it were filled ten deep with well-dressed men, who were awaiting a chance to enter. The Marquis of Queensberry lunched with several of his friends, and the sympathy of all present in court seems to be with him. Wilde kept the court waiting for ten minutes, for which he apologized to Justice Collins, saying that he had been consulting his doctor. After the production of other letters, the case for the plaintiff was closed and Mr. Carson began his speech for the defense. It was terribly denunciatory of Wilde, who left the court room as soon as the counsel for the defendant began to speak.

The San Francisco Call - Friday, April 5, 1895

LONDON, ENG., April 4. -- There was unabated interest to-day at the Old Bailey in the taking of testimony in 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. The Marquis of Queensberry entered a few minutes later, looking jaunty and confident. Several of his friends 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.

Wilde, in answer to questions, exhibited confusion and contradicted himself frequently. He also lost his temper. Carson's questions were in the main pitiless and unprintable. Carson's cross-examination of the plaintiff was concluded at noon, having lasted over six hours.

After the afternoon recess the crowd in the courtroom was larger than ever, and the hall and stairs leading to it were filled ten feet deep with well-dressed men in waiting. Wilde kept the court waiting ten minutes, for which he apologized to Justice Collins, saying he had been consulting his doctor.

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

The speech of Mr. Carson for the defense lasted until the court adjourned, at 5 p. m., and was not finished. He reviewed the evidence, point by point, denounced Wilde, and said the witnesses he would produce would prove beyond any doubt the guilt of the plaintiff.

Carson alluded in complimentary terms to the course of Beerbohm Tree in forwarding to the plaintiff a copy of the anonymous letter handed the English actor, whereupon Justice Collins said: "There is no occasion to mention the name of Beerbohm Tree." Carson in reply remarked: "Nor should I do so, my Lord, had it not been that I received a cable message from him to-day asking that his connection with the case be fully explained." "Every one understands Mr. Tree's connection with the case. It is in every way honorable and praiseworthy," said the Justice in conclusion. Wilde returned to the courtroom a few minutes before adjournment.

Among the letters produced and addressed by the Marquis of Queensberry to his son, Lord Alfred Douglas, was one saying Wilde "was a cur and a coward."

Most of the papers are printing the testimony in the suit almost verbatim, but the character of the testimony is such today that the St. James Gazette says: The nature of the evidence and the whole circumstances of the case prove to be of such a character that we cannot repeat it.

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