The New York Times - Friday, April 5, 1895

London. April 4. -- The trial of the action of Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry for libel was resumed to-day in the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey, with the complainant again in the witness box.

Mr. Carson's cross-examination, which was intended to prove that Mr. Wilde is really as bad as he seems to affect to be, was followed by a re-direct examination, and the case for the prosecution was closed.

The Evening Journal - Thursday, April 4, 1895

London, April 3.- Mr. Wilde, continuing his testimony on cross-examination, said that the man Allen when endeavoring to obtain money for the copy of the letter in his possession, had remarked that it might bear a curious meaning. To this Mr. Wilde testified that he replied: "Art is rarely intelligible to the criminal classes." Pressed to say whether the articles in the Chameleon were not immoral, Mr. Wilde replied: "They were worse; they were badly written." Throughout his testimony Mr. Wilde maintained perfect composure. He frequently ran his fingers through his hair, a habit which is peculiar to him. Several times he propounded paradoxes to Mr. Carson, and in the course of the questioning contended that the letter addressed to Lord Alfred Douglas which was read in court was beautiful, but that it could not be judged as a letter apart from art. He denied that he had "madly adored" a man 20 years his junior.

Adored Himself Alone Among Men.

He did not adore any one except himself, nor did he believe that any book affected the conduct of its readers. Mr. Wilde said that he gave Wood the £16 because Lord Alfred Douglas had asked him to assist Wood. He admitted that he thought the matter was blackmail, yet he gave the man £5 besides his dinner, the next day, and saw him off for America. He knew a youth named Shelly. He and Shelly had often dined together, and he had given Shelly £9 upon one occasion. He denied any misconduct with Shelly. He also knew a youth named Conway, and had met young Worthing. He had given the latter a suit of clothes. Nothing of an improper nature had ever occurred between himself and Conway or Worthing. The court adjourned.

To-day's Hearing.

London. April 4.- The trial of the action of Oscar Wilde against the Marquis Of Queensberry for libel was resumed to-day in the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey, with the complainant in the witness box, Mr. Carson examinning.

Mr. Wilde, in answer to a question by Mr. Carson, said he had been introduced to the man Wood by a man named Taylor. He had frequently been to Taylor's house to attend afternoon tea parties. Taylor, he said, had a habit of burning perfumes in the room, but candles or gas were not lighted. Upon every occasion of his visits at Taylor's house, he had met a youth named Mavorla, who had since disappeared. Mr. Wilde said he was aware Taylor had been arrested but he did not know that Taylor had made himself notorious by his practice of introducing young men to older ones.

Introduced to Young Men.

Taylor, he admitted, however, had introduced him to five young men. None of these young men had any trade, profession or employment, as far as he knew. He had made them presents of money for the reason that they were poor.

Mr. Wilde was questioned in regard to his acquaintance with two brothers named Parker. He replied that he knew them, and had dined with them. He was not aware that one of them was a valet and the other a groom, both of them out of employment. He had given one of them money on the occasion of his taking tea with him (Wilde) in the latter's private rooms in St. James st. His behaviour was in no way improper.

In Women's Clothes.

When Taylor and the Parkers were arrested they were in womens clothes. They were charged with felonious practice.

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

Mr. Wilde- "I was greatly distressed, and wrtoe to him. His arrest did not affect my friendship."

Mr. Wilde admitted his acquaintanceship with a man named Atkins, who was employed by a book-maker. He first met Atkins in 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.

Wilde said he had called Atkins by his Christian name. Atkins had gone to Paris with him and they stopped together there. Wilde paid the fares, but be declared it would be an infamous lie to say that they had been guilty of any misconduct. He had given Atkins £3 upon one occasion and £15 on another. Besides he had given him presents of 4various articles. A youth named Maber had stopped with him in an hotel in London. Wilde said he was a nice, charming young fellow. He gave Maber a cigarette case worth £4. He also knew a youth named Grainger, who was a servant to Lord Alfred Douglas, son of the Marquis of Queensberry.

Mr. Carson asked Wilde if he had ever kissed Grainger.

In a Temper.

Wilde, who had succeeded remarkably hitherto in maintaining his composure, began to lose his temper. He declared he had never kissed Grainger, and denounced the insolence of Mr. Carson in pursuing the line of questioning he had followed. Mr. Carson, he said, had insulted him throughout the cross-examination.

In answer to a new line of questioning Mr. Wilde said that a masseur had attended him at the Savoy Hotel, but denied that person had ever seen him in compromising situations. All of the young men who visited him at his rooms did so as his guests.

This ended the cross-examination. It was noticed that during Mr. Carson's questioning several names were written on slips of paper and handed up to the court. These names were not made public.

Letters.

Sir Edward Clarke then questioned the witness in re-direct examination. He began by reading a number of letters written by the Marquis of Queensberry to his son. Lord Alfred Douglas, in which the Marquis condemned his son for his conduct with Wilde. He also read a letter written by the Marquis reviling Lord Rosebery, Mr. Gladstone, and the Queen because of the appointment of his son to the peerage of Drumlaneig. In one of the letters the Marquis declared that Lord Alfred Douglas was not his son.

Before leaving the witness stand, Wilde explained his fondness for the society of males in their youth by saying that he disliked the old and sensible, while the company of the young, happy, careless and original youth had a wonderful charm. The mere fact of their youth was amazing.

At the conclusion of Mr. Wilde's direct examination the case for the prosecution was closed.

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