Times Union - Thursday, April 4, 1895

The testimony adduced in the cross-examination of Oscar Wilde, in the Queensberry libel suit, to-day, is of such a nature as to preclude its publication in a reputable newspaper. The Times, therefore, must decline to print it. At one period this morning, while being cross-questioned by Mr. Carson, the marquis of Queensberry's lawyer, Wilde lost his temper and announced the "insolence" of Mr. Carson in pursuing the line of questioning he had followed. Mr. Carson, he said, had deliberately insulted him throughout the cross-examination.

Mr. Carson drew from the witness the acknowledgement that he had made presence of money or trinkets to a considerable number of persons. Wilde blandly explained that he did this "because they were poor."

It may be said that during his cross-examination, Wilde made a pretty good witness for the defense.

LONDON, April 4. - The St. James Gazette makes the announcement that owing to the nature of the testimony being taken in the Wilde-Queensberry libel suit the management of that paper has decided not to report the proceedings of the case any further.

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 cross-examining.

At the conclusion of the cross-examination, Sir Edward Clarke questioned Mr. Wilde in redirect 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 Roseberry, 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.

The Boston Globe - Thursday, April 4, 1895

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.

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