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Oscar Wilde, 40, author, surrendered to his bail and was indicted for unlawfully committing acts of gross indecency with Charles Parker, Alfred Wood, Edward Shelley, and with certain persons whose names were unknown.

The Solicitor-General (Sir F. Lockwood, Q.C.), Mr. C.F. Gill, and Mr. Horace Avory appeared for the prosecution on the part of the Director of Public Prosecutions; Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., Mr. Charles Mathews, and Mr. Travers Humphreys defended.

The Solicitor-General, in opening the case, said the charge was under the Criminal Law Amendment Act. The indictment comprised charges ranging from February 20, 1892, up to October 22, 1893, and he thought it more convenient that he should deal with the charges in chronological order. The defendant was a man of literary attainments, and was the author of various dramatic works of power and intellect. The Solicitor-General proceeded to refer to the charges in their chronological order, and indicted what the evidence would be which would be adduced on the part of the prosecution.

Edward Shelley was then called and examined by Mr. C.F. Gill.

In cross-examination by Sir Edward Clarke, the witness said he was very fond of literature and had a great admiration for Wilde's works. In October, 1892, he wrote a letter to Wilde in which he asked him to help him, as he had lost his health and strength and wanted to go away for rest somewhere--he thought in Cornwall; he asked Wilde to lend him £10 until Christmas, saying that he would be able to repay him by that time. He added that people laughed at him and thought him strange. At the time he wrote the letter he was ill, having overworked himself by studying all night after his work in the day time was over. Wilde did not lend him £10, but he afterwards gave witness 10s at a restaurant. On June 15, 189[4?], witness wrote asking Wilde to use his influence on his behalf to get him employment. In 1894 witness was ill mentally, but there was nothing the matter with him now.

Evidence was given by Alfred Wood.

In cross-examination by Sir Edward Clarke, Wood said a sum of £175 was given to him by a man named Allan. Allan had a sum of £400 or £500 given him by a gentleman, and Allan gave witness £175 of it. Witness had done nothing to deserve that money. Being asked why the sum of £400 or £500 was paid to Allan, the witness replied that he did not know. Being further questioned as to how Allan came to get the £400 or £500, the witness replied that Allan might have blackmailed the man, but witness did not know that Allan did do so. Allan also gave Charles Parker £30.

Charles Parker gave evidence, and was also cross-examined in considerable detail by Sir Edward Clarke.

The hearing of the case was then adjourned until to-morrow, Wilde being submitted to the same bail.

Mr. Justice Wills advised the jury not to allow any one to speak to them about the case.