Difference
London, April 4 - The trial of the Oscar Wilde libel suit was resumed today. The cross-examination of Wilde continued. He admitted attending forenoon tea parties at the house of a man named Taylor, where he said he met a youth named Mavoire, who had since disappeared. Wilde was aware that Taylor bad been arrested. He did not know that Taylor was notorious because of his practise of introducing young men to older ones. Taylor had introduced him to five young men. Witness made the young men presents because they were poor.
Wilde said he knew two brothers named Parker. He had dined with them. He was not aware that one was a valet and the other a groom. He had given one money on an occasion of his taking tea with his (Wilde) in the latter's private rooms. When Taylor and one of the Parkers were arrested they wore women's clothes. They were charged with felonious practices. Wilde said Taylor's arrest did not affect his friendship for him.
Wilde knew two men named Atkins. They went to Paris and stopped together. Wilde paid the fares, but declared it was an infamous lie to say they were guilty of misconduct. Witness said he had been to a hotel with a youth named Maber. Wilde said he was a "nice, charming young fellow." Wilde knew a youth named Granger, and became angry when asked if he had ever kissed Granger. He declared counsel was insolent. Wilde denied that any person ever saw him in a compromising situation. This ended the cross-examination. In re-direct examination letters written by Queensbery were read. In them the Marquis condemned his son for his conduct with Wilde, reviled Rosebery, Gladstone and the Queen for the appointment of his son to the peerage of Drumlanrig. In the letter the Marquis declared Lord Douglas not his own son.
The St James Gazette announces that owing to the nature of the testimony in the Wilde libel suit, that paper will not further report the proceedings.
London, April 4— At the conclusion of Wilde's re-direct examination the prosecution closed.
At the conclusion of Mr. Wilde’s redirect examination the case for the prosecution was closed.
Before leaving the stand Wilde explained his fondness for the society of youthful males by saying he disliked the old and sensible, while the company of the young, happy, careless and original had a wonderful charm.
Counsel for the defense, in his opening, declared that Queensberry wanted to sever his son from Wilde, who, according to his own admission, was the friend of a man known to be a procurer of boys for vicious purposes. Counsel declared the letter from Wilde to Lord Douglas showed that Wilde had conceived for the latter an abominable passion. The case was then adjourned.