London Star - Saturday, May 25, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
WILDE TRIAL.
FIERCE COMBAT
BETWEEN COUNSEL.
LOCKWOOD HOTLY RETORTS
ON SIR EDWARD CLARKE.
JURY ASK ABOUT A. DOUGLAS.
Passionate Outbursts which Distress
the Judge, who Threatens to Clear the
Court of Morbid
Curiositymongers
who Laugh.
The fourth, and presumably the last, day of Wilde's second trial at the Old Bailey opened with cool breezes and court less crowded and oppressive than it was yesterday, when the prisoner's cross-examination attracted the sensation-hunters. The Solicitor-General whose speech to the jury on behalf of conviction was cut short in the middle by the adjournment last night, was the first of the counsel in the case to reach the court, where he occupied himself in a last hasty glance through the pages of his brief. It is interesting to recall that the present is the second case in which Sir Frank Lockwood has been brought into a cause célèbre to exert against a prisoner, the enormous influence of "the last word." In November last, when all England was waiting with breathless interest for the issue of the trial of Read for the murder of Florrie Dennis, the newly-appointed Solicitor-General went down to Chelmsford to prosecute, he had the
The fourth, and last day of Wilde's second trial at the Old Bailey opened with cool breezes and a court less crowded and oppressive than it was yesterday, when the prisoners cross-examination attracted the sensation-hunters. The Solicitor-General, whose speech to the jury on behalf of conviction was cut short in the middle by the adjournment last night, was the first of the counsel in the case to reach the court, where he occupied himself in a hust hasty glance through the pages of his brief. It is interesting to recall that the present is the second case in which Sir Frank Lockwood has been brought into a cause célèbre to exert against a prisoner the enormous influence of "the last word." In November last, when all England was waiting with breathless interest for the issue of the trial of Read for the murder of Florrie Dennis, the newly appointed Solicitor-General went down to Chelmsford to prosecute, he had the last word with the jury, and Read was hanged. In that case, too, it was Mr. C. F. Gill who was superseded in the conduct of the Crown case.
LAST WORD WITH THE JURY,
and Read was hanged. In the case, too, it was Mr. C. F. Gill who was superseded in the conduct of the Crown case.
At half-past ten Mr. Justice Wills arrived. A second case, a charge of wilful murder against one Jane White, had been placed in the list for the day, and his lordship carried with his papers the black cap. But this prisoner, who was brought first into the dock, was admitted only on the coroner's warrant, the Treasury had concluded to offer no evidence against her, and a verdict of not guilty was taken. So it happened that when Oscar Wilde, poet and dramatist, was called upon to surrender he became involved in the door of the dock with the discharged.
At half-past 10 Mr. Justice Wills arrived. A second case, a charge of wilful murder against one Jane White, had been placed in the list for the day, and his lordship carried with his papers the black cap. But, as this prisoner, who was brought first into the dock, was committed only on the coroner's warrant, the Treasury had concluded to offer no evidence against her, and a verdict of not guilty was taken. So it happened that when Oscar Wilde, poet and dramatist was called upon to surrender he became involved in the door of the dock with the discharged.
Sir F. Lockwood's Speech.
The Solicitor-General proceeded at once with his address. From the first it was a morning of gusty temper, with frequent sharp exchanges between Sir F. Lockwood and Sir E. Clarke. The first was provoked by Sir Edward rising to object to what he called Mr. Solicitor's rhetorical description of what had never been proved in evidence, in asserting that an intimate friendship existed between Wilde and Taylor.
The Solicitor-General proceeded at once with his address. From the first it was a morning of gusty temper, with frequent sharp exchanges between Sir F. Lockwood and Sir E. Clarke. The first was provoked by Sir Edward rising to object to what he called Mr. Solicitor's rhetorical descriptions of what had never been proved in evidence, in asserting that an intimate friendship existed between Wilde and Taylor.
"Gentlemen," Mr. Solicitor retorted, "It is not rehetoric, it is a plain statement of fact. What are the indications of an intimate friendship? They call one another by their Christian names. I do not inquire too closely whether they come from the stable or the kitchen. What greater proof of intimate friendship is there?" Again Mr. Solicitor protested against Sir Edward Clarke's differentiation of Taylor from Wilde by throwing round the letter
"Gentlemen," Sir Frank Lockwood retorted, "it is not rhetoric; it is a plain statement of fact. What are the indications of an intimate friendship? They call one another by their Christian names. I do not inquire too closely whether they come from the stable or the kitchen. What greater proof of intimate friendship is there?" Again Mr. Solicitor protested against Sir Edward Clarke's differentiation of Taylor from Wilde by throwing round the latter "A glamour of art which is false and untrue."
"A GLAMOR OF ART
which is false and untrue."
Again Sir Edward was on his feet, exclaiming, "My lord, I must distinctly protest--" when he was interrupted by the Solicitor-Ceneral with a passionate and contemptuous exclamation, only half articulated, of "You may go--oh!" and Mr. Solicitor's feelings became too much for him.
Again Sir Edward was on his feet, exclaiming, "My lord, I must distinctly protest--" when he was interrupted by the Solicitor- General with a passionate and contemptuous exclamation, only half articulated, of "You may pr----oh!" and Mr. Solicitor's feelings became too much for him.
His Lordship, where the exhibitions of feeling distress unspeakably, tried to put all on the troubled waters, but Sir Edward Clarke continued, "All this is as far removed from the evidence as anything ever heard in this court."
Sir Frank Lockwood: I am alluding, my lord, and I maintain I am right in alluding, to my learned friend's last appeal to the jury as to the literary position of his client, and I am dealing in connection with that with his connection with the man Taylor, and I say these men
MUST BE JUDGED EQUALLY.
Sir Edward Clarke: They are fairly tried in the proper order.
"Oh, my lord," cried Mr. Solicitor, with increasing passion, "these interruptions would avail my friend nothing."
His Lordship said Mr. Solicitor was perfectly within his right. The only objection was to allusions to the result of the trial of Taylor.
His Lordship said Mr. Solicitor was perfectly within his right. The only objection was to allusions to the result of the trial of Taylor.
Passing on to allude to the "madness of kissing" letter, the Solicitor-General contended that such a letter found in the possession of a woman, from a man, would be open to but one interpretation. How much worse, he suggested, was the inference to be drawn when such a letter was written by one man to another! It had been attempted to show that this was "a prose poem, a sonnet, a lovely thing which I suppose we are too low to appreciate. Gentlemen," thundered Mr. Solicitor, "let us thank God, if it is so, that we do not appreciate things of this sort save at the proper value, and that is somewhat lower than the beasts."
Passing on to allude to the "madness of kissing" letter, the Solicitor-General contended that such a letter found in the possession of a woman, from a man, would be open to but one interpretation. How much worre, he suggested, was the inference to be drawn when such a letter was written by one man to another! It had been attempted to show that this was "a prose poem, a sonnet, a lovely thing which I suppose we are too low to appreciate. Gentlemen," thundered Mr. Solicitor, "let us thank God, if it is so, that we do not appreciate things of this sort save at their proper-value, and that is somewhat lower than the beasts."
Passing on to allude to the "madness of kissing" letter, the Solicitor-General contended that such a letter found in the possession of a woman from a man would be taken to prove a guilty passion. How much worse was the inference to be drawn when such a letter was written by one man to another. It had been attempted to show that this was "a prose poem, a sonnet, a lovely thing," which I suppose we are too low to appreciate. Let us thank God, if it is so, that we do not appreciate things of this sort save at their proper level, and that is somewhat lower than the beasts. The Solicitor-General then proceeded to deal with Sir Edward Clarke's conduct of the former trial, and a reference to his "candour" provoked a laugh from the public gallery.
Passing on to allude to the "madness of kissing" letter, the Solicitor-General contended that such a letter found in the possession of a woman from a man would be taken to prove a guilty passion. How much worse was the inference to be drawn when such a letter was written by one man to another. It had been attempted to show that this was "a prose poem, a sonnet, a lovely thing," which I suppose we are too low to appreciate. Let us thank God, if it is so, that we do not appreciate things of this sort save at their proper level, and that is somewhat lower than the beasts. The Solicitor-General then proceeded to deal with Sir Edward Clarke's conduct of the former trial, and a reference to his "candour" provoked a laugh from the public gallery.
Again counsel came into collision, and a laugh followed. The Solicitor-General protested that he had no sympathy with such demonstrations, and his lordship, who is taking the case on bare nerves, almost tearfully admonished the crowd. "These interruptions," he said, "are offensive to me beyond anything that can be described. To have to try a case of this kind, to keep the scales even, and do one's duty is hard enough, but to be pestered with the applause or expressions of feeling of senseless people who have no business to be here at all except for the gratification of
Again counsel came into collision, and a laugh followed. The Solicitor-General protested that he had no sympathy with the demonstrations, and his lordship almost tearfully admonished the crowd. "These interruptions," he said, "are offensive to and beyond anything that can be described. To have to try a case of this kind, to keep the scales even and do one's duty is hard enough, but to be pestered with the applause or expressions of feeling of senseless people who have no business to be here at all except for the gratification of morbid curiosity is too much. If there is anything of the kind again I shall clear the court."
MORBID CURIOSITY
is too much. If there is anything of the kind again I shall clear the court."
The Solicitor-General presently alluded to the witnesses Parker and Wood. His learned friend had said they were blackmailers, and had warned the jury against giving a verdict which should enable another vice, as detestable, as abominable, to rear its head with unblushing affrontery in this city. The genesis of the blackmailer is the man who had committed these sets of indecency with him. And the genesis of the man who commits these foul acts is the man who is
The Solicitor-General presently alluded to the witnesses Parker and Wood. His learned friend had said they were blackmailers, and had warned the jury against giving a verdict which should enable this detestable trade to rear its head unblushingly in this city. "Gentlemen," he continued, "I should have as much right to ask you to take care lest by your verdict you should enable another vice, as detestable, as abominable, to rear its head with unblushing effrontery in this city. The genesis of the blackmailer is the man who has committed these acts of indecency with him. And the genesis of the man who commits these foul acts is the man who is
The Solicitor-General presently alluded to the witnesses Parker and Wood. His learned friend had said they were blackmailers, and had warned the jury against giving a verdict which should enable this detestable trade to rear its head unblushingly in this city. "Gentlemen," he continued, "I should have as much right to ask you to take care lest by your verdict you should enable another vice, as detestable, as abominable, to rear its head with unblushing effrontery in this city. The genesis of the blackmailer is the man who has committed these acts of indecency with him. And the genesis of the man who commits these foul acts is the man who is
WILLING TO PAY
for their commission. Were it not that there are men willing to purchase vice in this most hideous and detestable form there would be no market for such crime, and no opening for these blackmailers to ply their calling. But where, he asked, was the motive? It was not suggested that either of these men had blackmailed Wilde. They had much to lose and nothing at all to gain by giving evidence here. It was not suggested that their evidence had been bought, or that they had been improperly influenced in any way.
Keenly Interested Listeners.
Wilde listened impassively from his corner of the dock, but all throughout the morning he carried frequently to his nose a small vinaigrette of cut glass. The Marquess of Queensberry retained his place near the bench, and the Rev. Stewart Headlam still sat with his back to the witness-box, with Lord Douglas of Hawick vis-à-vis at the other side of the solitary table. Mr. Grain, who defended Taylor, was in and out of the court of the morning, without wig or gown.
Wilde listened impassively from his corner of the dock, but all through the morning he carried frequently to his nose a small vinaigrette of cut glass. The Marquis of Queensberry retained his place near the bench, and the Rev. Stewart Headlam still sat with his back to the witness-box, with Lord Douglas of Hawick vis-à-vis at the other side of the solicitors' table. Mr. Grain, who defended Taylor, was in and out of the court all the morning, without wig or gown.
Lockwood's Last Words.
Having weathered through the early poems, the Solicitor-General settled down to a wordy and somewhat disconnected survey of the evidence, finding everywhere corroboration that he submitted to the jury as [...] to the prisoner. In regard to the Savoy Hotel charges, he asked why Lord Alfred Douglas, who slept in the next room, had not been called to deny the statements of the chambermaid. "Now, gentleman," he concluded, "I have been through the whole of this case. I have pointed out to you its strength, and I have to ask you to do your duty in regard to it. I have already dealt with that, as I think, unfortunate appeal which my learned friend, made as to Wilde. With that we have in the case nothing whatever to do. He has a right to be acquitted if you believe him to be an innocent man, be his lot high or low. But if, gentlemen, in your consciences you believe that he is guilty of these charges--well, then you have only one consideration, and that is to follow closely the obligation of the path which has been imposed upon you."
Having weathered through the early scenes, the Solicitor-General settled down to a wordy and somewhat disconnected survey of the evidence, finding everywhere corroboration which he submitted to the jury as fatal to the prisoner. In regard to the Savoy Hotel charges, he asked why Lord Alfred Douglas, who slept in the next room to Wilde, had not been called to deny the statements of the chambermaid. "Now, gentlemen," he concluded, "I have been through the, whole of this case, I have pointed out to you its strength, and I have to ask you to do your duty in regard to it. I have already dealt with that, as I think, unfortunate appeal which my learned friend made as to the literary past or literary future of Oscar Wilde. With that we have in this case nothing whatever to do. He has a right to be acquitted if you believe him to be an innocent man, be his lot high or low. But if, gentlemen, in your consciences you believe that he is guilty of these charges--well, then you have only one consideration, and that is to follow closely the obligation of the oath which has been imposed upon you."
The Judge Sums Up.
At half-past twelve Mr. Justice Wills began his summing-up. Pointing out to the jury that their duty was "the cold, calm, resolute administration of justice," he said he would himself rather try the most shocking murder that it had ever fallen to his lot to try than be engaged in a case like this. It might be thought that the difficulty and distress of dealing with it would be increased by the position and education of the person accused. His lordship could not say that his own difficulty or sense of responsibility was increased by that consideration. Whatever might be the guilt or innocence of the accused, his conduct had been such, particularly with regard to Lord Alfred Douglas, that it would be impossible for 12 intelligent, imparital, and honest gentlemen to say there was no good ground for an indignant father to charge him with having posed, as the Marquess of Queensberry had suggested. His lordship continued that in his opinion the conspiracy charges should never have been introduced at the last trial, and the joining of the charges against the two prisoners of itself
At half-past twelve Mr. Justice Wills began his summing up. Pointing out to the jury that their duty was "the cold, calm, resolute administration of justice," he said he would himself rather try the most shocking murder that it had ever fallen to his lot to try than be engaged in a case like this. It might be thought that the difficulty and distress of dealing with it would be increased by the position and education of the person accused. His lordship could not say that his own difficulty or sense of responsibility was increased by that consideration. Whatever might be the guilt or innocence of the accused, his conduct had been such, particularly with regard to Lord Alfred Douglas, that it would be impossible for twelve intelligent, impartial, and honest gentlemen to say there was no good ground for an indignant father to charge him with having posed as the Marquis of Queensberry had suggested. His Lordship continued that in his opinion that conspiracy charges should never have been introduced at the last trial, and the joining of the charges against the two prisoners of itself.
At half-past twelve Mr. Justice Wills began his summing up. Pointing out to the jury that their duty was "the cold, calm, resolute administration of justice," he said he would himself rather try the most shocking murder that it had ever fallen to his lot to try than be engaged in a case like this. It might be thought that the difficulty and distress of dealing with it would be increased by the position and education of the person accused. His lordship could not say that his own difficulty or sense of responsibility was increased by that consideration. Whatever might be the guilt or innocence of the accused, his conduct had been such, particularly with regard to Lord Alfred Douglas, that it would be impossible for twelve intelligent, impartial, and honest gentlemen to say there was no good ground for an indignant father to charge him with having posed as the Marquis of Queensberry had suggested. His Lordship continued that in his opinion that conspiracy charges should never have been introduced at the last trial, and the joining of the charges against the two prisoners of itself.
JUSTIFIED THE DISAGREEMENT OF THE JURY.
As to the present trial, he would have preferred to try the prisoners in a different order, but he did not think the defendant had suffered by the course taken by the Solicitor-General. It was impossible in dealing with Wood's case to avoid dealing also with Lord Alfred Douglas. He was not here, and it must be remembered in his favor that if neither side called him he could not volunteer himself as witness. His lordship was also anxious not to say anything to blast the career of a young man on the threshold of life. His family seemed to be a house divided against itself, but even if there was no filial love or parental affection, even if there was nothing but hatred between father and son, what father would not try to save his son from the associations suggested by the two letters from the prisoner to Lord Alfred Douglas? His lordship would avoid saying whether those letters seemed to point to actual criminal conduct or not. Suppose that they were
As to the present trial, he would have preferred to try the prisoners in a different order, but he did not think the defendant had suffered by the course taken by the Solicitor-General. It was impossible in dealing with Wood's case to avoid dealing also with Lord Alfred Douglas. He was not here, and it must be remembered in his favour that if neither side called him he could not volunteer himself as a witness. His Lordship was also anxious not to say anything to blast the career of a young man on the threshold of life. His family seemed to be a house divided against itself. But even if there was no filial love or parental affection, even if there was nothing but hatred between father and son, what father would not try to save his son from the association suggested but the two letters from the prisoner to Lord Alfred Douglas? His Lordship would avoid saying whether these letters seemed to point to actual criminal conduct or not. Suppose that they were
As to the present trial, he would have preferred to try the prisoners in a different order, but he did not think the defendant had suffered by the course taken by the Solicitor-General. It was impossible in dealing with Wood's case to avoid dealing also with Lord Alfred Douglas. He was not here, and it must be remembered in his favour that if neither side called him he could not volunteer himself as a witness. His Lordship was also anxious not to say anything to blast the career of a young man on the threshold of life. His family seemed to be a house divided against itself. But even if there was no filial love or parental affection, even if there was nothing but hatred between father and son, what father would not try to save his son from the association suggested but the two letters from the prisoner to Lord Alfred Douglas? His Lordship would avoid saying whether these letters seemed to point to actual criminal conduct or not. Suppose that they were
PROSE POEMS,
suppose that they were things of which the intellectual and literary value could only be appreciated by persons of high culture, were they the less poisonous for a young man? It was strange that it should not occur to a gentleman capable of writing such letters that any young man to whom they were addressed must suffer in the estimations of everybody if it were known. Lord Queensberry seemed to have taken a method of interfering which his lordship would have thought no gentleman would have taken to leaving at the defendant's club a card containing a most offensive expression. It was a message which left the defendant no alternative but to prosecute, or to be publicly branded as a man who could not deny a foul charge.
suppose that they were things of which the intellectual and literary value could only be appreciated by persons of high culture, were they the less poisonous for a young man? It was strange that it should not occur to a gentleman capable of writing such letters that any young man to whom they were addressed must suffer in the estimation of everybody if it were known. Lord Queensberry seemed to have taken a method of interfering which his lordship would have thought no gentleman would have taken in leaving at the defendant's club a card containing a most offensive expression. It was a message which left the defendant no alternative but to prosecute or to be publicly branded as a man who could not deny a foul charge.
suppose that they were things of which the intellectual and literary value could only be appreciated by persons of high culture, were they the less poisonous for a young man? It was strange that it should not occur to a gentleman capable of writing such letters that any young man to whom they were addressed must suffer in the estimation of everybody if it were known. Lord Queensberry seemed to have taken a method of interfering which his lordship would have thought no gentleman would have taken in leaving at the defendant's club a card containing a most offensive expression. It was a message which left the defendant no alternative but to prosecute or to be publicly branded as a man who could not deny a foul charge.
Lord Queensberry found some of these expressions so little to his taste that he presently got up and
Lord Queensberry found some of these expressions so little to his taste that he presently got up and
Lord Queensberry found some of these expressions so little to his taste that he presently got up and
LEFT THE COURT.
His lordship went on to speak of the ill-assorted friendship between Lord Alfred Douglas and Wood, whom he introduced to Wilde, and to whom he gave a suit of clothes containing the "madness of kissing" letter. His lordship found it more understandable that a lad like Wood should be given cast-off clothes than silver cigarette cases. His lordship had no doubt that the "red rose-leaf lips" letter was the worst of the bundle which fell into the hands of the blackmailers, but he regarded it as highly unfortunate that the others should have been destroyed. If they were indeed harmless, as the defendant had said, they would have been an answer to this charge.
His Lordship went on to speak of the ill-assorted friendship between Lord Alfred Douglas and Wood, whom he introduced to Wilde, and to whom he gave a suit of clothes containing the "madness of kissing" letter. His lordship found it more understandable that a lad like Wood should be given cast-off clothes than silver cigarette cases. His lordship had no doubt that the "red rose-leaf lips" letter was the worst of the bundle which fell into the hands of the blackmailers, but he regarded it as highly unfortunate that the others should have been destroyed. If they were indeed harmless, as the defendant had said, they would have been an answer to this charge.
His Lordship went on to speak of the ill-assorted friendship between Lord Alfred Douglas and Wood, whom he introduced to Wilde, and to whom he gave a suit of clothes containing the "madness of kissing" letter. His lordship found it more understandable that a lad like Wood should be given cast-off clothes than silver cigarette cases. His lordship had no doubt that the "red rose-leaf lips" letter was the worst of the bundle which fell into the hands of the blackmailers, but he regarded it as highly unfortunate that the others should have been destroyed. If they were indeed harmless, as the defendant had said, they would have been an answer to this charge.
A Question from the Jury Box.
The foreman of the jury interposed with the question: "In view of the intimacy between Lord Alfred Douglas and Wood, was a warrant ever issued for the apprehension of Lord Alfred Douglas?"
The Foreman of the Jury interposed with the question: "In view of the intimacy between Lord Alfred Douglas and Would, was a warrant ever issued for the apprehension of Lord Alfred Douglas?"
The Foreman of the Jury: The jury are very anxious to know whether, in view of the intimacy between Lord Alfred Douglas and Wood, a warrant for the arrest of Lord Alfred Douglas was ever issued.
The Foreman of the Jury — The jury are very anxious to know whether, in view of the intimacy between Lord Alfred Douglas and Wood, a warrant for the arrest of Lord Alfred Douglas was ever issued.
His Lordship replied, "I should think not. We have not heard of it."
"Was it ever contemplated?" asked the foreman, and his lordship in many words said he did not know. A warrant would, in any case, not be issued without evidence of some fact, of something more than mere intimacy.
"Was it ever contemplated?" asked the Foreman, and his Lordship in many words said he did not know. A warrant would, in any case, not be issued without evidence of some fact, of something more than mere intimacy.
The Foreman: It seems to us that if we induce any guilt from these letters it applies as much to Lord Alfred Douglas as to the defendant.
The Foreman: It seems to us that if we adduce any guild from these letters if applies as much to Lord Alfred Douglas as to the defendant.
The Foreman.— If we are to deduce any guilt from these letters, it applies equally to Lord Alfred Douglas as to the Defendant.
The Foreman: If we are to deduce any guilt from these letters, it applies equally to Lord Alfred Douglas as to the defendant.
The Foreman—But if we are to deduce guilt from the letters it applies equally to Lord Alfred Douglas as to the defendant.
The Foreman — The jury wish to know whether, if they deduce guilt from these letters, it will affect Lord Alfred Douglas as well as the defendant.
The jury wish to know whether, if they deduce guilt from these letters, it will affect Lord Alfred Douglas as well as the defendant?
His Lordship: Quite so; but how does that relieve the defendant? Our present inquiry is whether guilt is brought home to the man in the dock.
His Lordship: Quite so; but does that relieve the defendant? Our present inquiry is whether guilt is brought home to the man in the dock.
The Court adjourned for half an hour for lunch.
The Judge Doesn't Know.
After lunch his lordship returned to this subject. There was a natural disposition, he said, to ask, Why should this man stand in the dock and not Lord Alfred Douglas? But the supposition that Lord Alfred Douglas would ne in any way spared because he was Lord Alfred Douglas was one of the wildest injustice--the thing was utterly and hopelessly impossible. Lord Alfred Douglas, as they all knew, went to Paris with the present defendant. There he had stayed, and his lordship know absolutely nothing more about him. He was as ignorant in this respect as the jury. It might be that there was no evidence against Lord Alfred Douglas, but even about that he knew nothing. It was a thing they could not discuss, and to entertain any such consideration as he had mentioned would be prejudice of the worst possible kind. Then his lordship passed on to deal with the case of Chas. Parker.
After lunch his lordship returned to this subject. There was a natural disposition, he said, to ask. "Why should this man stand in the dock and not Lord Alfred Douglas?" But the supposition that Lord Alfred Douglas would be in any way spared because he was Lord Alfred Douglas was one of the wildest injustice--the thing was utterly and hopelessly impossible. Lord Alfred Douglas, as they well knew, went to Paris with the present defendant. There he had stayed, and his lordship knew absolutely nothing more about him. He was as ignorant in this respect as the jury. It might be that there was no evidence against Lord Alfred Douglas, but even about that he knew nothing. It was a thing they could not discuss, and to entertain any such consideration as he had mentioned would be prejudice of the worst possible kind.
After lunch his lordship returned to this subject. There was a natural disposition, he said, to ask. "Why should this man stand in the dock and not Lord Alfred Douglas?" But the supposition that Lord Alfred Douglas would be in any way spared because he was Lord Alfred Douglas was one of the wildest injustice--the thing was utterly and hopelessly impossible. Lord Alfred Douglas, as they well knew, went to Paris with the present defendant. There he had stayed, and his lordship knew absolutely nothing more about him. He was as ignorant in this respect as the jury. It might be that there was no evidence against Lord Alfred Douglas, but even about that he knew nothing. It was a thing they could not discuss, and to entertain any such consideration as he had mentioned would be prejudice of the worst possible kind.
Wilde Affected.
The references to Lord Alfred Douglas were the first part of to-day's proceedings to shake the prisoner out of his affectation of phlegm. He sat upright and watched the judge keenly during the colloquy with the foreman of the jury, and appeared relieved at the way in which it terminated. During the afternoon all the counsel engaged in the case were present for the first time since Wednesday, and Mr. Grain's presence in wig and gown gave color to the report that Taylor had been brought down from Holloway and would be sentenced after the jury had found a verdict in the present case.
His Lordship's Prejudice.
His lordship found some truth in the aphorism that a man must be judged by the company he keeps, but said it was for the jury to say whether the prisoner's association with lads like Wood and Parker, of inferior social grade and with no single bond of taste and sympathy, was more than merely suspicious. As to the Savoy Hotel incidents, his lordship hoped he was not pedantic, but his prejudice was in favor of males sleeping one in a bed, and where a man could afford to incur a hotel bill of more that £40 in a week, it seemed to him astonishing that he should not get at least the whole use of a bed for his money. And his lordship illustrated, anecdotally and autobiographically, a hope which he expressed that he was no fool in such matters.
Jury Retire.
At half-past three his Lordship concluded a rather discursive, but certainly not feeble summing up. Early in the course of it he had declared his dislike of a summing up "so colorless as to be no help to anybody," while at the same time urging the jury to view his directions critically. He now said he hoped he had held the balance truly. He had tried his very best to do so, and counsel on both sides and conducted the case with such eminent fairness--and courtesy!-- that he hoped, and believed, between the three of them they had really kept prejudice out of the case.
The jury retired at twenty-five minutes to four to "consider the verdict."