London Star - Wednesday, May 22, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
WILDE
AGAIN IN THE DOCK AT
THE OLD BAILEY.
SOME SELF REVELATION BY
SHELLEY.
He Says Wilde
"Entrapped Him," but
Afterwards Seemed Sincerely Sorry--
Peculiarities of "An Artist's" Temperament
in a New Series of Letters.
It does not often happen to anyone to make three appearances at the Old Bailey at three consecutive sessions, before three different judges. It was, therefore, quite in accordance with Mr. Oscar Wilde's boast of not posing as being ordinary that he should achieve this extraordinary distinction. He first appeared before Mr. Justice Henn Collins to prosecute his charge of libel against the Marquess of Queensberry, who was found not guilty. Wilde was thereupon arrested on the motion of the Public Prosecutor, and tried at the last sessions before Mr. Justice Charles on charges of gross indecency, with regard to which the jury disagreed. This morning he surrendered to his bail for retrial before Mr. Justice Wills and a new jury. Since he was first arrested the charges against him have neem somewhat modified and reduced. On the other hand, the man Taylor, who was first charged as his accomplice, has been found guilty of "attempting to commit the abominable crime" with William Parker and Charles Parker, and it remains to be seen how far this may prejudice Wilde.
IT IS IN HIS FAVOR AGAIN
that the counts alleging conspiracy with Taylor to procure the commission of immoral acts were withdrawn at the last trial, and that the jury yesterday could not agree as to the count charging Taylor with procuring for Wilde.
The new jury empanelled this morning as a dozen of potent, grave, and reverend signors. There are three courts sitting, and the juries are frequently changed. Jurors are sometimes in waiting for a week before being called at all. They are called in the order of their names on the list, and never know till they are called what case they will have to hear.
Wilde reached the court early. He looked haggard and ill, and his hair, which has a slight natural wave, and is usually parted neatly from the middle, was in some disorder. He sat at first on the usher's bench below the jury box, opposite Sir Edward Clarke, his leading counsel. Counsel for the prosecution, the Solicitor-General (Sir Frank Lockwood), Mr. C. F. Gill, and Mr. Horace Avory, were all in attendance when the judge took his seat at half-past ten. Wilde, being called upon to surrender,
STEPPED HEAVILY INTO THE DOCK,
and sat down in the corner furthest, from the jury, where he anxiously gnawed at his fingers, or played nervously with his suede gloves.
and sat down in the corner furthest from the jury, where he anxiously gnawed his fingers or played nervously with his suede gloves.
and sat down in the corner furthest from the jury, where he anxiously gnawed his fingers or played nervously with his suede gloves.
The Clerk of Arraigns, having instructed the usher to "swear the jury for a misdemeanor," read out the indictment. It is now short and simple enough, alleging that the prisoner unlawfully committed various acts with Charles Parker, Alfred Wood, certain persons unknown, and Edward Shelley. "To this indictment the prisoner pleads not guilty," the clerk added.
The Clerk of Arraigns having instructed the usher to "swear the jury for a misdemeanour," read out the indictment. It is now short and simple enough, alleging that the prisoner unlawfully committed various acts with Charles Parker, Alfred Wood, certain persons unknown, and Edward Shelley. "To this indictment the prisoner pleads "'Not guilty,'" the Clerk added.
The Clerk of Arraigns having instructed the usher to "swear the jury for a misdemeanour," read out the indictment. It is now short and simple enough, alleging that the prisoner unlawfully committed various acts with Charles Parker, Alfred Wood, certain persons unknown, and Edward Shelley. "To this indictment the prisoner pleads "'Not guilty,'" the Clerk added.
Opening the Case.
To-day there were no preliminary alarums and excursions. The Solicitor-General embarked at once upon his opening of the case to the jury. The defendant was charged, he said, with offences against the Criminal Law Amendment Act, between 20 Feb., 1892, and 22 Oct., 1893. He would deal with these charges in chronological order, said the Solicitor-General, and it was observed that by adopting this course he played his trump card first by putting forward the case of Shelley, his only principal witness who had not been more or less discredited by admissions of complicity in blackmailing. He recalled the circumstances under which
WILDE MET SHELLEY,
who was a lad of 18 or 19, employed in the office of his publishers, Messrs. Mathews and Lane, at the Bodley Head in Vigo-st. There was independent corroboration of this witness's story, said the Solicitor-General, though it did not go the length of describing the actual accomplishment of the offences. Acts like these were not committed in the light of day, but as far as possible with the strictest secrecy and concealment.
In January, 1893, Wilde made the acquaintance of Wood, and was a young clerk out of employment, who was at that time living at 13, Little College-st., Westminster, "a house occupied by a man of the name of Taylor," added the Solicitor-General, with an assumption that the jury had never heard of Taylor before. He described the curious introduction to Wilde of Wood, who was summoned to the Cafe Royal by a telegram from Lord Alfred Douglas, and was there accosted by Wilde, taken to lunch at Kettner's in Rupert-st., and afterwards to Wilde's own house in Tite-st., Chelsea, where offences charged in the indictment are alleged to have taken place. In January, 1893, Wilde provided Wood with funds to go to America. For the moment the Solicitor-General said nothing of the incident of
THE LETTERS,
but pointed out that on the day after giving Wood this money Wilde was still apparently on good terms with him, entertaining him to luncheon in a luxurious manner.
The alleged offences with persons unknown were committed at the Savoy Hotel in March, 1893, when Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas occupied the bedrooms Nos. 361 and 363, which adjoined. Of the occurrences here there was the valuable corroborative evidence of the hotel servants.
The last section of the case was that in which Wilde was charged with misconduct at the Savoy Hotel and at rooms which he occupied at 10, St. James's-place, with the lad Charles Parker, who had been introduced to him by "the man named Taylor."
"Gentlemen," the Solicitor-General concluded, "I have endeavored to limit myself to a plain and simple statement of the class of testimony which the prosecution is in a position to call before you. In conclusion, I can only invite your very earnest and careful attention to the evidence, for, indeed, it is upon this evidence that the defendant must be judged, and not upon any statements made by counsel."
Shelley in the Box.
Mr. Gill called for Edward Shelley, and the gaunt young bookseller stalked into the witness-box. The reproof administered by Mr. Justice Charles at the last trial had taken effect, for the witness comported himself more quietly, and assumed fewer of the airs of a blighted genius and a Christian martyr. He deposed that he was only 17 when he first went to the Bodley Head, and this accounted for the modest amount of his pay, which at first was only 15s. a week. He first dined with Wilde at the Albermarle Hotel, in a public room. He was afterwards asked to stay all night, and shared Wilde's bed.
Mr. Gill called for Edward Shelley, and the gaunt young bookseller stalked into the witness-box. He deposed that he was only seventeen when he first went to the Bodley Head, and this accounted for the modest amount of his pay, which at first was only 15s. a week. he first dined with Wilde at the Albemarle Hotel, in a public room. He was afterwards asked to stay all night, and shared Wilde's bed.
Mr. Gill called for Edward Shelley, and the gaunt young bookseller stalked into the witness-box. He deposed that he was only seventeen when he first went to the Bodley Head, and this accounted for the modest amount of his pay, which at first was only 15s. a week. he first dined with Wilde at the Albemarle Hotel, in a public room. He was afterwards asked to stay all night, and shared Wilde's bed.
Queensberry Arrives.
While the witness was giving his evidence, Lord Queensberry arrived from Marlborough-st. flushed with haste--or victory--and was allowed to take a seat at the end of the judicial bench. As he stared across at the prisoner he smiled broadly, as though he realised and relished the change of positions since Wilde was in the witness-box and himself in the dock. The court was full of curiosity to know what had happened at Marlborough-st., but no information was for the time forthcoming. Wilde at first seemed quite oblivious of Lord Queensberry's presence. He passed the morning in an attitude of fixed dejection, hardly ever changing his position, except to exchange a few words with his solicitor across the front of the dock. There was little enough in the proceedings to rouse his attention.
Shelley Cross-examined.
At noon Sir Edward Clarke rose to cross-examine Shelley. He elicited that the witness's close intimacy with Wilde only lasted three months, and terminated nine or ten months before he left the employment of Mathews and Lane. In March, 1893, he went to see Wilde at the Savoy Hotel, where they quarrelled, and after that visit he wrote to Wilde that he would not see him again. Wilde replied to the effect that had the witness written that letter some months earlier it would have stung him, but coming as it did, when he was flushed with the first success of "A Woman of No Importance," he did not feel it so much.
At noon Sir Edward Clarke rose to cross-examine Shelley. He elicited that the witness's close intimacy with Wilde only lasted three months, and terminated nine or ten months before he left the employment of Mathews and Lane. In March 1893, he went to see Wilde at the Savoy Hotel, where they quarrelled, and after that visit he wrote to Wilde that he would not see him again. Wilde replied to the effect that had the witness written that letter some months earlier it would have stung him; but coming as it did, when he was flushed with the first success of "A Woman of No Importance," he did not feel it so much.
At noon Sir Edward Clarke rose to cross-examine Shelley. He elicited that the witness's close intimacy with Wilde only lasted three months, and terminated nine or ten months before he left the employment of Mathews and Lane. In March 1893, he went to see Wilde at the Savoy Hotel, where they quarrelled, and after that visit he wrote to Wilde that he would not see him again. Wilde replied to the effect that had the witness written that letter some months earlier it would have stung him; but coming as it did, when he was flushed with the first success of "A Woman of No Importance," he did not feel it so much.
At the police-court the witness had said it was the end of 1893 or early in 1894 that he quarrelled with Wilde. He could not now remember whether he did not also say that impropriety only took place on one occasion. Now he speaks of two. On the first occasion he was
At the police-court the witness had said it was at the end of 1893 or early in 1894 that he quarrelled with Wilde. he could not now remember whether he did not also say that impropriety only took place on one occasion. Now he speaks of two. On the first occasion he was
At the police-court the witness had said it was at the end of 1893 or early in 1894 that he quarrelled with Wilde. he could not now remember whether he did not also say that impropriety only took place on one occasion. Now he speaks of two. On the first occasion he was
NOT QUITE SOBER.
He was excited, but not drunk. If he had realised what was going to happen he would have resented it.
He was excited, but not drunk. If he had realized what was going to happen he would have rejected it.
He was excited, but not drunk. If he had realized what was going to happen he would have rejected it.
Then why did you go there again? - It was weak, of course.
Within what space of time did these two incidents take place? - Within a week.
Within what space of time did these two incidents take place? - Within a week.
Did you think Mr. Wilde had also had too much to drink. - No.
Then it did not seem to you an accidental occurrence? - No.
I WAS ENTRAPPED.
He knew I admired him very much, and he took advantage of me--of my admiration, and of--I won't say innocence--I don't know what to call it.
He knew I admired him very much, and he took advantage of me--of my admiration, and of--I won't say innocence--I don't know what to call it.
Has Wilde ever given you any money? - Yes, long afterwards.
Not as the price of consenting to this? - No.
Witness had read a good deal of the lighter forms of literature--dramatic and poetic, and had written a few things. Mr. Wilde used to ask hum to let him see them, but witness thought they were too poor to show to him.
Witness had read a good deal of the lighter forms of literature--dramatic and poetic, and had written a few things. Mr. Wilde used to ask him to let him see them, but witness thought they were too poor to show to him.
Witness had read a good deal of the lighter forms of literature--dramatic and poetic, and had written a few things. Mr. Wilde used to ask him to let him see them, but witness thought they were too poor to show to him.
The witness's attitude towards Wilde in the early period of their acquaintance may be judged by the following letter:--
The witness's attitude towards Wilde in the early period of their acquaintance may be judged from the following letter:--
The witness's attitude towards Wilde in the early period of their acquaintance may be judged from the following letter:--
Sunday evening, 21 Feb., 1892,--Dear Mr. Oscar Wilde,--I must again thank you for "The House of Pomegranates" [a book of stories which the witness parenthetically exclaimed were "not fit for children"] and the theatre ticket. It was
VERY GOOD OF YOU
to send them to me, and I shall never forget your kindness. What a triumph was yours last night [the first night of "Lady Windermere's Fan."] The play is the best I have seen on the stage, with such beauty of form and wit that it adds a new phase of pleasure to existence. Could Lady Blessington live anew, the conversations would make her jealous, George Meredith might have signed it. How miserably poor everything seems beside it! Except, of course, your books. But then your books are a part of yourself.
Dear Mr. Oscar Wilde, -- I must again thank you for "The House of Pomegranates" [a book of stories which the witness parenthetically exclaimed were "not fit for children"] and the theatre ticket. It was very good of you to send them to me, and I shall never forget your kindness. What a triumph was yours last night [the first night of "Lady Windermere's Fan."] The play is the best I have seen on the stage, with such beauty of form and wit that it adds a new phase of pleasure to existence. Could Lady Blessington live anew, the conversations would make her jealous, George Meredith might have signed it. How miserably poor everything seems beside it! Except, of course, your books. But then your books are a part of yourself.
Sunday evening, Feb. 21, 1892. Dear Mr. Oscar Wilde, -- I must again thank you for "The House of Pomegranates" [a book of stories which the witness parenthetically exclaimed were "not fit for children"] and the theatre ticket. It was very good of you to send them to me, and I shall never forget your kindness. What a triumph was yours last night [the first night of "Lady Windermere's Fan."] The play is the best I have seen on the stage, with such beauty of form and wit that it adds a new phase of pleasure to existence. Could Lady Blessington live anew, the conversations would make her jealous, George Meredith might have signed it. How miserably poor everything seems beside it! Except, of course, your books. But then your books are a part of yourself.
Again, on 27 Oct., 1892, the witness wrote:--
My Dear Oscar,--Will you be at home on Sunday evening next? I am most anxious to see you. I would have called this evening, but I am suffering from nervousness, the result of insomnia, and am obliged to remain at home. I have longed to see you all through the week. I have much to tell you. Do not think me forgetful, in not coming before, because I shall never forget your kindness, and am conscious that I can never sufficiently express my thankfulness.
My Dear Oscar, -- Will you be at home on Sunday evening next? I am most anxious to see you. I would have called this evening, but I am suffering from nervousness, the result of insomnia, and am obliged to remain at home. I have longed to see you all through the week. I have much to tell you. Do not think me forgetful, in not coming before, because I shall never forget your kindness, and am conscious that I can never sufficiently express my thankfulness.
My Dear Oscar, -- Will you be at home on Sunday evening next? I am most anxious to see you. I would have called this evening, but I am suffering from nervousness, the result of insomnia, and am obliged to remain at home. I have longed to see you all through the week. I have much to tell you. Do not think me forgetful, in not coming before, because I shall never forget your kindness, and am conscious that I can never sufficiently express my thankfulness.
"Now, Mr. Shelley," said Sir Edward Clarke, "do you mean to tell the jury that, having in your mind that this man had behaved disgracefully towards you, you wrote this letter?"
"Now, Mr. Shelley," said Sir Edward Clarke, "do you mean to tell the jury that, having in your mind that this man had behaved disgracefully towards you, you wrote this letter?"
"Now, Mr. Shelley," said Sir Edward Clarke, "do you mean to tell the jury that, having in your mind that this man had behaved disgracefully towards you, you wrote this letter?" "Yes," the witness replied, "because after these two occurrences he treated me very well. He
"Yes," the witness replied, "because after these two occurrences he treated me very well. He
"Yes," the witness replied, "because after these two occurrences he treated me very well. He
SEEMED REALLY SORRY
for what he had done. he introduced me to his wife. I dined with them twice and he seemed to take a real interest in me." It further appeared that Wilde offered the witness £100 to enable him to go away and study, but that he refused it.
for what he had done. He introduced me to his wife. I dined with them twice and he seemed to take a real interest in me." It further appeared that Wilde offered the witness $100 to enable him to go away and study, but that he refused it.
for what he had done. He introduced me to his wife. I dined with them twice and he seemed to take a real interest in me." It further appeared that Wilde offered the witness $100 to enable him to go away and study, but that he refused it.
Mr. Lane, his employer, had also offered to help the witness, but he scornfully refused even this assistance, and in hysterical letters to Wilde talked about "the brutal insults of Vigo-st." He babbled about his "horrible harsh existence," and after leaving the Bodley Head for a clerkship in the City, wrote of resigning this, and going down to live in Chelsea "and read with a coach in the evening." Again he wrote--
Mr. Lane, his employer, had also offered to help the witness, but he scornfully refused even this assistance, and in hysterical letters to Wilde talked about "the brutal insults of Vigo-st." He babbled about his "horrible harsh existence," and after leaving the Bodley Head for a clerkship in the City, wrote of resigning this, and going down to live in Chelsea "and read with a coach in the evening." Again he wrote--
Mr. Lane, his employer, had also offered to help the witness, but he scornfully refused even this assistance, and in hysterical letters to Wilde talked about "the brutal insults of Vigo-st." He babbled about his "horrible harsh existence," and after leaving the Bodley Head for a clerkship in the City, wrote of resigning this, and going down to live in Chelsea "and read with a coach in the evening." Again he wrote--
Oscar,--I want to go away and rest somewhere--I think in Cornwall for two weeks. I am determined to
LIVE A TRULY CHRISTIAN LIFE,
and I accept poverty as part of my religion. But I must have health. I have so much to do for my mother.
"What had you to do for your mother?" asked Sir Edward Clarke, and there was one of the laughs which have been so rare during the case when the witness replied, "I pay for my keep," which Sir Edward suggested was more like doing something for himself. the witness has a brother who is "permanently unwell."
"What had you to do for your mother?" asked Sir Edward Clarke, and there was one of the laughs which have been so rare during the case when the witness replied, "I pay for my keep," which Sir Edward suggested was more like doing something for himself. The witness has a brother who is "permanently unwell."
"What had you to do for your mother?" asked Sir Edward Clarke, and there was one of the laughs which have been so rare during the case when the witness replied, "I pay for my keep," which Sir Edward suggested was more like doing something for himself. The witness has a brother who is "permanently unwell."
"Is his mind disordered?" asked Sir Edward; and the witness replied, "Yes."
"Is his mind disordered?" asked Sir Edward; and the witness replied, "Yes."
"Is his mind disordered?" asked Sir Edward; and the witness replied, "Yes."
In another letter the witness wrote:--
I am an artist. I know that I am. Will you see me if you can lend me $10 until Christmas. I can repay it by that time. I must have rest. I am weak and ill. I am so thin they think me strange.
Wilde did not lend the £10, and the witness wrote
ANOTHER APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE
in finding a place in a publisher's or newspaper office. Referring to his old employer, he said: I would accept nothing from that viper. He hurt me too much. I despise him, but I cannot forget.
He could not suggest any intelligent reason for calling that gentleman a viper.
"If Wilde was the sort of person you should not know," asked Sir Edward, "why were you grateful to Mr. Lane for trying to save you?"
"Human nature," replied the witness; "a failing of human nature."
In another letter the witness wrote to Wilde:--
You have deadly enemies in London. Hence the Daily News article.
Was your mental health getting worse and worse? - I had made myself ill with studying at it. There is nothing the matter with me now.
You are sure of that? - Quite sure.
Later on the witness swallowed his pride and wrote to Mr. Lane, asking for employment. By the next post he wrote again, declaring that he would not take it of him. And in another letter to Wilde he wrote, "I am afraid sometimes I am very sane, I feel so nervous and ill."
History repeats itself. This witness, like Lord Douglas, came to blows with his father because he objected to the intimacy with Wilde. He was now prepared to admit that he could not have neem in his sound mind when he assaulted his father. He was locked up for an hour, but not charged.
Sir Frank Lockwood wished to re-examine as to a phrase in one of the letters,
"LET GOD JUDGE THE PAST.
If you help me now I will thank you all my life." His lordship held that the question did not fairly arise out of cross-examination, but pointed out that the prosecution was entitled to draw its own inferences from the fact that Sir Edward Clarke might have asked what the words meant, and did not do so.
Other Witnesses.
Mr. Mathews still lately a partner in the Bodley Head then, was called to say that he was aware of the intimacy between Wilde and Shelley.
M. Vogel, the proprietor of the Hotel Albemarle, deposed that his attention was attracted to the youth of Wilde's visitors there, and that in consequence he took steps to lose the prisoner's patronage by pressing for payment of his bill. He spoke as if this was an infallible method.
The case is proceeding.