Compare Documents

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.

LONDON, April 4 - The trial of the action of Oscar Wilde against the marquis of Queensberry for libel was resumed today in the central criminal court, Old Bailey, with the complainant again in the witness box, Mr Carson cross-examining.

Mr Wilde, an answer to a question, said he had been introduced to the man Wood by a man named Taylor. He had frequently visited 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 visiting Taylor’s house he had met a youth named Mavori, who had since disappeared. Mr Wilde said he was aware that Taylor had been arrested, but he did not know that Taylor had made himself notorious.

Taylor, he admitted, however, had introduced him to five young men. He had made them presents of money for the reason that they were poor.

Mr Wilde was questioned in regard to his acquaintanceship with two brothers named Parker. He replied that he knew them and had dined with them. 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.

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 wrote to him. His arrest did not affect my friendship.

Mr Wilde admitted his acquaintanceship with a man named Atkins, who was employed by a bookmaker.

Wilde said he had called Atkins by his Christian name. Atkins went to Paris with him. A youth name to Maber had stopped with him in a hotel in London. Wilde said he was a nice, charming young fellow. He gave Maber cigarette case worth $20. 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.

Wilde, who had succeeded remarkably hitherto in maintaining his composure, began to lose his temper. He declared that he had never kissed Grainger, and announced 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.

This ended the cross examination.

Sir Edward Clarke then questioned the witness in redirect examination. He began by reading a number of letters written by the marquis of Queensberry to his son, Lord Alfred Douglas.

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 Drumlanrig.

In one of the letters the marquis declared that Lord Alfred Douglas was not his son.

At the conclusion of Mr Wilde’s redirect examination the case of the prosecution was closed.

Mr Carson, in opening the case for the defense, declared that all the marquis of Queensberry had done and said he stood by, withdrawing nothing.

His sole object in all the steps he had taken was to save his son from the influence of Wilde.