London Star - Monday, April 29, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
OSCAR WILDE.
MORE WITNESSES ARE CALLED
FOR THE PROSECUTION.
Nothing New, However, is Brought Out
in Evidence, which Relates to Wilde's
Stay at the Savoy Hotel and Taylor's
Arrest.
The prosecution of Wilde and Taylor was originally expected to last only two days. This morning it entered upon a third, and it is doubtful whether this will see the close of the case. Even if the defendants elect not to give evidence on their own behalf, the court must sit till late in the evening if it would avoid adjourning, at least, the judge summing up till to-morrow. Mr. Justice Charles did not take his seat till eleven o'clock. By that time all the counsel engaged in the case--and half a hundred who only wished they were--had taken their seats.
Mr. J.P. Grain set the case going again by asking the judge to confirm his impression that young Shelley of the intellectual face had said the prisoner Taylor was a stranger to him.
Mr. J. P. Grain set the case going again by asking the judge to confirm his impression that young Shelley of the intellectual face had said the prisoner Taylor was a stranger to him.
Mr. Justice Charles quoted from his notes, "Taylor is a stranger to me."
Mr. Justice Charles quoted from his notes: "Taylor is a stranger to me."
Two shorthand writers formally
PROVED THE TRANSCRIPT
of Wilde's evidence at the Queensberry libel trial. It was the sublimation of limited editions--three copies, large paper, M.S., one for the prosecution. one for the defence, and one for the judge.
Two shorthand writers formally proved the transcript of Wilde's evidence at the Queensberry libel trial. It was the sublimation of limited editions -- three copies, large paper, MS., one for the prosecution, one for the defence, and one for the judge.
Antonin Miggz, a dark little Frenchman, who in March, 1893, was employed as a masseur at the Savoy Hotel, gave evidence as to Wilde's stay at the hotel.
Antonio Miggz, a dark little Frenchman, who in March, 1893, was employed as a masseur at the Savoy Hotel, gave evidence as to Wilde's stay at the hotel.
Ellen Cotter, a chambermaid at the hotel, deposed to seeing a boy in Wilde's room on another occasion, Wilde occupied room 362. Lord Alfred Douglas was in 361. The boy was in Wilde's room. Mrs. Perkins, who in March, 1893, was housekeeper at the Savoy Hotel, confirmed Ms. Cotter's statement.
Ellen Cotter, a chambermaid at the hotel, deposed to seeing a boy in Wilde's room on another occasion. Wilde occupied room 362. Lord Alfred Douglas was in 361. The boy was in Wilde's room. Mrs. Perkins, who in March, 1893, was housekeeper at the Savoy Hotel, confirmed Miss Cotter's statement.
Passing from this portion of the case, Mr. C.F. Gill called
William Harris, a detective sergeant, who obtained access by a subterfuge to Taylor's rooms at 14, Little College-st., in May, 1893. He described the interior of the draped and artificially-darkened rooms. It was this officer who arrested Taylor at Denbigh-st., Pimlico, on the present charge. When taken into custody he only said, "Very well, I expected you last night. What are you going to do with me?" The witness took him to Bow-st., where he was charged.
William Harris, a detective sergeant, who obtained access by a subterfuge to Taylor's rooms at 13, Little College-street, in May, 1893. He described the interior of the draped and artificially-darkened rooms. It was this officer who arrested Taylor at Denbigh-street, Pimlico, on the present charge. When taken into custody he only said: "Very well. I expected you last night. What are you going to do with me?" The witness took him to Bow-street, where be was charged.
William Harris, a detective sergeant, who obtained access by a subterfuge to Taylor's rooms at 13, Little College-street, in May, 1893, described the interior of the draped and artificially-darkened rooms. It was this officer who arrested Taylor at Denbigh-street, Pimlico, on the present charge.
Mr. Grain's cross-examination was diverted to showing that the prisoner made no attempt to evade arrest, and had been in attendance on subpoena at at the Old Bailey throughout the Queensberry case. The witness
COULD NOT REMEMBER
Taylor saying he had heard a warrant was out, and was on his way to give himself up. Mr. Grain was also anxious to show that the darkening of Taylor's windows at Little College-st. was only the drapery usual in Continental cities and the modern flat. Harris would express no opinion about Continental cities, but he had never seen anything of the kind on England before. The muslin, he said, was not made into blinds, but was tightly stretched over the whole of his windows.
Mr. Grain's cross-examination was directed to show that the prisoner made no attempt to evade arrest, and had been in attendance on subpoena at the Old Bailey throughout the Queensberry case. The witness could not remember Taylor saying he had heard a warrant was out, and was on his way to give himself up. Mr. Grain was also anxious to show that the darkening of Taylor's windows at Little College-street was only the drapery usual in Continental cities and the modern flat. Harris would express no opinion about Continental cities, but he had never seen anything of the kind in England before. The muslin, he said, was not made into blinds, but was tightly stretched over the whole of the windows.
Detective inspector Richards describes again the arrest of Wilde at the Cadogan Hotel, Sloane-st., on the evening of the 5 inst., after the collapse of the case against Lord Queensberry. When Wilde heard the charge he asked, "Where shall I be taken," and seemed
Detective-inspector Richards described again the arrest of Wilde at the Cadogan Hotel, Sloane-street, on the evening of the 5th inst., after the collapse of the case against Lord Queensberry.
Detective-inspector Richards described again the arrest of Wilde at the Cadogan Hotel, Sloane-street, on the evening of the 15th ult., after the collapse of the case against Lord Queensberry.
CHIEFLY ANXIOUS
to know if he would be admitted to bail. Next night the witnessed searched Taylor's rooms at 25, Denby-place, Pimlico.
It was Inspector Brockwell who held the warrant and actually charged Wilde who, after ascertaining the dates to which the charges referred, made no further comment. He was searched in the usual way. Among his papers was an envelope addressed to "Sidney Mavor, Esq.," containing a note as follows: "Dear Sid,--I could not wait any longer. Come on at once and see Oscar at 16, Tite-street, Chelsea; I am there.--Yours, ALF. TAYLOR." There was another letter from Taylor to Wilde, informing him that ex-Inspector Littlechild, Lord Queensberry's agent, had obtained admission to his rooms, and that he had found a letter opened which he had left there for Mavor.
It was Inspector Brockwell who held the warrant and actually charged Wilde, who, after ascertaining the dates to which the charges referred, made no further comment. He was searched in the usual way. Among his papers was an envelope addressed to "Sidney Mavor, Esq.," containing a note as follows: "Dear Sid,--I could not wait any longer. Come on at once and see Oscar at 16, Tite-street, Chelsea; I am there.--Yours, ALF. TAYLOR." There was another letter from Taylor to Wilde, informing him that ex-Inspector Littlechild, Lord Queensberry's agent, had obtained admission to his rooms, and that he had found a letter opened which he had left there for Mavor.
Other letters were found on Wilde which, Mr. Gill submitted, had no bearing on the case. Sir Edward Clarke was anxious that one of them at least should be read, and it was first handed to his lordship. He presently stated that it seemed to be a sympathetic letter from a literary friend of the defendant. He did not quite see what bearing it had on the case, or the other letters which had been read.
Other letters were found on Wilde which, Mr. Gill submitted, had no bearing on the case. Sir Edward Clarke was anxious that one of them at least should be read, and it was first handed to his lordship. He presently stated that it seemed to be a sympathetic letter from a literary friend of the defendant. He did not quite see what bearing it had on the case, or the other letters which had been read.
Sir Edward said those other letters had no doubt been
READ WITH THE OBJECT
of producing some impression on the mind of the jury, and this letter should be admissible for the same purpose.
His lordship, however, pointed out that if a letter expressing adverse views had been found on Wilde, it would have been said it would be wrong to read it to the jury.
His lordship, however, pointed out that if a letter expressing adverse views had been found on Wilde, it would have been said it would be wrong to read it to the jury.
Sir Edward did not press his application.
Mr. Gill next read the papers found in Taylor's hat-box at Chapel-st., Chelsea. Most of them have already been published. Among the new ones was a Christmas card from Mavor to Taylor, beginning
Mr. Gill next read the papers found in Taylor's hat-box at Chapel-street, Chelsea. Most of them have already been published. Among the new ones was a New Years card from Mavor to Taylor:--
"Always a bob in your pocket to spend;
Always a good and trust friend."
Mr. Read, clerk of the court, gave formal evidence of the nature of the indictment in Wilde's charge against the Marquis of Queensberry, and of the collapse of the case on the third day of the trial, when the prosecutor assented to a verdict of not guilty. It next became a question of reading to the jury the
Mr. Read, clerk of the court, gave formal evidence of the nature of the indictment in Wilde's charge against the Marquis of Queensberry, and of the collapse of the case on the third day of the trial, when the prosecutor assented to a verdict of not guilty.
EVIDENCE OF WILDE
himself at the trial of Lord Queensberry, and
Sir Edward Clarke objected that only the cross-examination, which foreshadowed Lord Queensberry's plea of justification, had any bearing on the present charges, which were in no way referred to in Mr. Wilde's examination-in-chief.
It next became a question of reading to the jury the evidence of Wilde himself at the trial of Lord Queensberry, and Sir Edward Clarke objected that only the cross-examination, which foreshadowed Lord Queensberry's plea of justification, had any bearing on the present charges, which were in no way referred to in Mr. Wilde's examination-in-chief.
Mr. Gill held that the following questions and answers at the end of the examination-in-chief were pertinent: - "Your attention has been called to the statements which are made in the pleadings referring to different persons and impugning your conduct with them? Answer: Yes. Question: Is there any truth whatever in any of these accusations? Answer: There is no truth whatever in any one of them." This, and the whole of Wilde's cross-examination, which runs to folios innumerable, Mr. Gill proceeded to read to the jury, a task which promised to last till far into the afternoon, and to make it absolutely impossible to finish the case to-day.
Mr. Gill held that the following questions and answers at the end of the examination-in-chief were pertinent:-"Your attention has been called to the statements which are made in the pleadings referring to different persons and impugning your conduct with them ? Answer: Yes. Question: Is there any truth whatever in any of these accusations? Answer: There is no truth whatever in any one of them." This, and the whole of Wilde's cross- examination, which runs to folios innumerable, Mr. Gill proceeded to read to the jury.
For the first time Wilde began to show uneasiness as counsel rapidly, and with a minimum of expression, ran through the wonderful series of Oscarisms which made up a day and a half of cross-examination unparalleled in the history of the Old Bailey. There was now an
INTOLERABLE IRONY
in such flippancies and paradoxes as made amusing reading when Wilde was in the witness-box. As a refuge from the ghosts of his own intellectual fireworks Wilde took to playing with a quill pen. He has grown perceptibly thinner since his incarceration. Taylor seemed profoundly bored, and rested his arm on the ledge of the dock and his mouth on his hand in an attitude peculiar to himself.
Events have already thrown a lurid new light on such
OSCARISMS
as "Wickedness is a myth invented by good people to account for the curious attractiveness of others."
"Pleasure is the only thing one should live for. Nothing ages like unhappiness."
"A condition of perfection is idleness."
"Adoration is a thing I reserve for myself."
"I love scandals about other people. Scandals about myself don’t interest me."
"Sin is a thing that writes itself across a man's face."
"There is no such thing as secret vices. If a man has a vice it shows itself in the lines of his mouth." And a hundred other replies to Mr. Carson's questions or quotations by Mr. Carson from the prisoner's works.
When the court adjourned for lunch Mr. C. F. Gill had only got through the literary side of the cross-examination, and at two o'clock he was relieved by Mr. A. Gill, who went on with the reading, making an even worse hash of the passages about the slim-gilt soul, and the "red rose-leaf lips, made no less for the music of song than for the madness of kissing."
When the court adjourned for lunch Mr. C. F. Gill had only got through the literary side of the cross-examination, and at two o'clock he was relieved by Mr. A. Gill, who went on with the reading, making an even worse hash of the passages about the slim-gilt soul, and the "red rose-leaf lips, made no less for the music of song than for the madness of kissing."
The case is proceeding.