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 Salt Lake Herald - Friday, April 5, 1895

London, April 4. -- There was unabated interest today at the old Bailey in the taking 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.

Plaintiff arrived at an early hour and took a seat at the table reserved for the solicitors.

The Marquis of Queensberry entered a few minutes later, looking jaunty and confident.

Several of his friends shook the defendant by the hand as he entered the clock.

Attended Tea Parties.

Oscar Wilde, upon resuming his place on the witness stand, admitted that he had attended tea parties in the room of a man named Taylor, which were artistically furnished and in which perfumes were burning. He denied, however, that he had seen Taylor in a woman's costume. Further questions upon the part of Mr. Carson, counsel for the Marquis of Queensberry, brought forth the admission that Taylor introduced to Wilde five youths whom Wilde gave money and took to a restaurant. Plaintiff admitted that he was not aware that one of them was a valet and another a coachman, or that Taylor had been arrested in a raid on a house on Fitzrey Square. Wilde in answers to the 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 plaintiff was concluded at noon, having lasted over six hours.

Infamous Intimacy.

Sir Edward Clark, the leading counsel for Wilde, then began the 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 the "infamous intimacy" with plaintiff, saying that his "blood turned cold at the sight of the infamous faces." He added: "I hear Wilde's wife will petition for a divorce on the grounds of unnatural crimes. If you do not cease to let him disgrace us, I shall feel justified in shooting him on sight."

To this letter, Lord Alfred replied: "What a funny little man you are."

Most of the newspapers 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." The St. James Gazette adds: "The English public is at the present moment involved in one of those orgies of indecency permitted by the operations of the open law courts and an enterprising press."

Wilde Couldn't Stand It.

After the noon recess the crowd in the court room was larger than ever, and the hall and stairs leading to it filled ten deep with well-dressed men waiting to enter. Wilde kept the court waiting ten minutes for which he apologized to the justice, saying that 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 court room as soon as counsel for the defendant began to speak.

Lord Alfred Douglas was present in the court a short time during the morning, but did not return in the afternoon.

The speech of Mr. Carson for the defense lasted until 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 plaintiff. Carson alluded in complimentary terms to the course of Beerbohm Tree in forwarding to 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 today asking that his connection with the case be fully explained."

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

Cur and Coward.

Wilde returned to the court room a few minutes before adjournment. Among the letters produced and addressed by the Marquis of Queensbury to his son, Lord Alfred Douglas, was one saying that Wilde was a "cur and a coward of the Rosebery type."

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