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The calendar at the Central Criminal Court Sessions, which opened at the Old Bailey this morning, before Mr. Justice Wills, contained charges against Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde, 40, author, and Alfred Taylor, 33, of no occupation. Wilde was charged with improprieties with Edward Shelley, Alfred Wood, and Charles Parker, and with some person unknown. Taylor was charged with having attempted to commit a felony with William Parker and Charles Parker.

The Court was densely crowded in every part when at eleven o'clock Mr. Justice Wills, accompanied by the Load Mayor and several of the city aldermen, took his seat on the bench. Wilde had some time previously j driven to the Old Bailey, accompanied by his sureties—Lord Douglas ot Hawick and the Rev. Stewart Headlam—and surrendered to his bail. When placed in the dock by the side of Taylor he looked somewhat haggard and worn, but his health had visibly improved since his release from Ho loway. Taylor's features were very pale, but he stepped into the dock with a jaunty air, and seemed in- different to his position.

The Solicitor-General (Sir Frank Lockwood, Q.C..M. P.), Mr. H. Sutton, Mr. C. F. Gill, and Mr. Horace Avory appeared on behalf of the Crown, while the defence of Wilde was conducted by Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., M.P., and Mr. Travers Humphreys. Taylor was represented by Mr. P. Grain.

The jury having been sworn and the indictment read, Sir Eiiwaid Clarke applied thai the two defendants should be tried separately.

Mr. Grain made a similar application on behalf of Taylor.

The Solicitor-General opposed the application in each case on the ground that there were certain matters in the charges which necessitated the joint indictment of both defendants.

Mr. Justice Wills said he had anticipated that this application would be made, and having in view what the evidence was he thought it would be much fairer that the defendants should be tried separately.

The Solicitor-General intimated that he would first take the case of Taylor.

Sir Edward Clarke submitted that the charge against his client Wilde ought first to be taken. There were, he said, obvious reasons why it would be unfair to take | Taylor's case first, and he respectfully asked that, inasmuch as Wilde's name stood first on the indictment, and as the first count in that indictment was one directed against him. he should be taken first.

Mr. Justice Wills said he did not see how he could very well interfere with the rights of the prosecution. It was well within the rights of the prosecution to elect which defendant should first be placed on his trial.

Sir Edward Clarke : Then I shall ask, in the event of Taylor being tried first, that Wilde's case shall stand over til! the next sessions.

Mr. Justice Wills: Don't you think you had better wait until the end of the trial before making such an application? If there should be an acquittal against Taylor it would be so much the bett6r for Wilde.

Sir Edward Clarke: If your lordship pleases, will your lordship allow Wilde to be nut On the same bail as before?

Mr. Justice Wills: Are the sureties here?

The Solicitor-General: It is a matter entirely within your lordship's discretion.

Mr. Justice Wills: Certainly, I will grant the application.

Sir Edward Clarke: They have been here, but they are gone. They would have lieen hack in the afternoon but after your lordship's instruction they shall be sent for.

The defendant Wilde then left the dock and the charges against Taylor were at once proceeded with.