Compare Documents

LONDON, May 20. -- The Old Bailey Court was crowded at 11 o'clock this morning when Justice Wills, accompanied by the Lord Mayor of London, Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Renals, and several Aldermen took their seats upon the bench preparatory to the commencement of the second trial of Oscar Wilde, who is charged with serious misdemeanors.

Wilde had previously been driven to the Old Bailey. He was accompanied by Lord Douglas of Hawick and the Rev. Stewart Headlam, his two bondsmen.

He looked haggard, but had apparently improved in health since his release on bail, and walked smilingly into the prisoners' dock, where he took his stand beside Alfred Taylor, who is charged with similar offenses.

Sir Edward Clarke, Q. C, counsel for Wilde, immediately made an elaborate argument in favor of having Wilde tried separately. The Judge agreed to this, and decided to try Taylor first.

Sir Edward Clarke then dwelt at length on the great injustice which was done to his client by having to wait while Alfred Taylor was tried. But, in spite of the argument of his counsel, Wilde looked only too pleased as he stepped from the dock and the Judge allowed his bail to be renewed, and he was again released from custody, after filing his personal bond in $12,500 and finding two sureties, Lord Douglas of Hawick and the Rev. Stewart Headlam, in $6,250 each.

It is now probable that Wilde's case will go over until next session of the Central Criminal Court, and there is evidently but a slight chance of his conviction. In consequence, indignant comment is heard on all sides at the turn events have taken.

In the mean while, the trial of Alfred Taylor proceeded.

The case against Taylor was closed after evidence similar to that already presented against the prisoner and Oscar Wilde had been furnished, and the Court adjourned.

London, May 20.- The Old Bailey court was crowded to-day at 11 o'clock in the morning when Justice Wills, accompanied by the Lord Mayor of London, Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Renals, and several aldermen, took their seats upon the bench preparatory to the commencement of the second trial of Oscar Wilde. Wilde had previously been driven to the Old Bailey. He was accompanied by Lord Douglas, of Hawick, and Rev. Stewart Headlett, his two bondsmen. He looked haggard, but had apparently improved in health since his release on bail, and walked smartly to the prisoners' dock, where he took his stand beside Alfred Taylor, who is charged with a similar crime. Sir Edward Clarke, Q. C, counsel for Wilde, immediately made an elaborate argument in favor of having Wilde tried separately. The judge agreed to this and decided to try Taylor first. Sir Edward Clarke then dwelt at length on the great injury which would be done his client by having to wait while Alfred Taylor was tried, but in spite of the argument of his counsel, Wilde looked only too well pleased as he stepped from the dock and the judge allowed his bail to be renewed and he was again released from custody after filing his personal bond in $12,500 and finding two sureties, Lord Douglas of Hawick and Rev. Stewart Headlett in $6,250 each. It is possible that Wilde's case may go over to the next session of the Central Criminal Court, and there is evidently but slight chance of his conviction. In consequence indignant comment is heard on all sides at the turn events have taken. Meanwhile the trial of Alfred Taylor is proceeding.