London Star - Thursday, April 11, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
OSCAR WILDE
BROUGHT UP AT BOW-ST THIS
MORNING.
Sir Edward Clarke Again Takes Up
Wilde's Case, But
Declines to Cross-
examine the Witnesses Already Called.
There was again an indecent scramble for admission Bow-street Police-court, when Oscar Wilde and Taylor were brought before Sir John Bridge, for the second time on the terrible charges made against them last week. They were brought from Holloway Prison in a Black Maria, which was received by the rowdy crowd in Bow St. with a hoarse shout, which might have been either a cheer or a jeer. Driven rapidly into the station yard, the gates clashed to behind it, and that was all the general public saw of the day's proceedings. Sir Edward Clarke and Mr. T. Humphreys represented the defendant Wilde, and it was supposed that they would continue last week's policy of reserving the cross-examination. Mr. Arthur Newton, however, who defends Taylor, intimated his intention of cross-examining, and this will have the effect of prolonging the police-court stage of the prosecution, which is not likely to be concluded today. Sir Edward Clarke arrived rather late by way of the public staircase wearing a summery grey frockcoat, and a general air of Easter vacation. It was a
WELL-DRESSED MOB
which packed the Extradition Court, in which the case was heard, and almost "all were there, the old familiar faces" which were seen at the Old Bailey throughout the nauseous stages of last week's proceedings. So dense was the crowd that the police had difficulty about clearing a passage for the entrance of the prisoners. Before Wilde appeared he could be heard asking, "Is Sir Edward Clarke here?" "Yes," replied the Sergeant-Gaoler, and Wilde strode heavily into the dock, with a slight bow towards the bench. He looked paler and less plethoric than last week, the change in his appearance being markedly for the better. He still wore the dark grey great coat with a velvet collar and cuffs, and as soon as possible sat down in the extreme corner of the dock, his elbow on the iron rail and his head on his hand. Taylor had more than ever the appearance of a valet. Clean-shaven and pink-shirted, he folded his arms and surveyed the court with a smile that was rather simpering.
Sir Edward Clarke, in announcing his intention not to cross-examine, said cross-examination would probably not influence the result so far as that court was concerned--the prisoner must be committed--and it was desirable on every ground to shorten the proceedings as much as possible.
Sir Edward Clarke, in announcing his intention not to cross-examine, said cross-examination would probably not influence the result so far as that court was concerned--the prisoner must be committed--and it was desirable on every ground to shorten the proceedings as much as possible.
Mr. Newton pointed out that his client, who is
ONLY CHARGED WITH CONSPIRING
with Wilde, stood on a rather different ground, which made it desirable to cross-examine some of the witnesses in his behalf.
Mr. Newton pointed out that his client, who is only charged with conspiring with Wilde, stood on a rather different ground, which made it desirable to cross-examine some of the witnesses in his behalf.
The lad Charles Parker was first recalled. He was respectably dressed, in apparently new clothes. He denied that he was introduced to Taylor by a man named Harrington, and adhered to his statement that Taylor first accosted him in a restaurant. He recognised, he said, the peril of prosecution in which he himself stood, but he denied with an air very like that of honest indignation that he had been guilty of improprieties before he met Wilde. He declared that he knew nothing of its being Taylor's birthday on the occasion when he was first taken to dine with Wilde. He knew the man Atkins who was mentioned at the Old Bailey in connection with the blackmailing letters, but he knew him only as a comedian, and not as a notorious blackmailer who lived by accusations against gentlemen. He left his own employment as valet because the gentleman could not afford to keep him. He was afterwards accused of stealing the master's clothes. He was arrested in the Fitzroy-square raid last year, but he declared he only knew one other man concerned in that little adventure. That was Taylor. Then Mr. Newton touched a more serious point.
The lad Charles Parker was first recalled. He was respectably dressed, in apparently new clothes. He denied that he was introduced to Taylor by a man named Harrington, and adhered to his statement that Taylor first accosted him in a restaurant. He recognised, he said, the peril of prosecution in which he himself stood, but he denied with an air very like that of honest indignation that he had been guilty of improprieties before he met Wilde. He declared that he knew nothing of its being Taylor's birthday on the occasion when he was first taken to dine with Wilde. He knew the man Atkins who was mentioned at the Old Bailey in connection with the blackmailing letters, but he knew him only as a comedian, and not as a notorious blackmailer who lived by accusations against gentlemen. He left his own employment as valet because the gentleman could not afford to keep him. He was afterwards accused of stealing the master's clothes. He was arrested in the Fitzroy-square raid last year, but he declared he only knew one other man concerned in that little adventure. That was Taylor. Then Mr. Newton touched a more serious point.
The lad Charles Parker was first recalled. He is respectably dressed, in apparently new clothes. He denied that he was introduced to Taylor by a man named Harrington, and adhered to his statement that Taylor first accosted him in a restaurant. He recognized, he said, the peril of prosecution in which he himself stood, but he denied with an air very like that of honest indignation that he had been guilty of improprieties before he met Wilde. He declared that he knew nothing of it being Taylor's birthday on that occasion when he was first taken to dine with Wilde. He knew the man Atkins who was mentioned at the Old Bailey in connection with the blackmailing letters, but he knew him only as a comedian, and not as a notorious blackmailer who
"Just before that did you get £30, in conjunction with two other persons, by threatening to accuse a gentleman of a crime?"
"Just before that did you not get £30, in conjunction with two other persons, by threatening to accuse a gentleman of a crime?"
"I didn't. The others gave it to me."
They had
EXTORTED IT FROM A GENTLEMAN?
--I think that is right.
They extorted more than the £30? - I think so.
That was your share? - Yes.
Had you been guilty of impropriety with that gentleman? - Yes.
Then it was hush money? - I don't know that.
Sir John Bridge: Isn't that substantially what it was? - I don't know what they gave it to me for. They only told me who it came from.
Sir John Bridge: Isn't that substantially what it was? - I don't know what they gave it to me for. They didn't tell me that it was to keep my mouth shut. They only told me who it came from.
The other witnesses who were called last week were not now present, and therefore could not be cross-examined. Mr. Gill therefore passed on to
The other witnesses who were called last week were not now present, and therefore could not be cross-examined.
Frederick Atkins, a pale-eyed, pimply-faced lad of 20, in a green cord waistcoat with pale blue spots, a blue oxford shirt and a jacket of rough brown tweed, was the next witness. He deposed that he first knew the prisoner Taylor and the establishment at Little College-street. Taylor introduced him to Wilde in November, 1893, when all three, and another man--one of the Nameless Men of the Old Bailey proceedings--dined together at the Florence Hotel in Soho. Wilde asked witness if he would like to go to Paris with him as his
Frederick Atkins, a pale-eyed lad of twenty, in a green cord waistcoat with pale blue spots, a blue oxford shirt and a jacket of rough brown tweed, deposed that he first knew the prisoner Taylor and the establishment at Little College-street. Taylor introduced him to Wilde in November, 1893, when all three and another man--one of the nameless men of the Old Bailey proceedings--dined together at the Florence Hotel in Soho. Wilde asked the witness if he would like to go to Paris with him
PRIVATE SECRETARY.
He said "Yes," and they went two days later, by the Club Train from Victoria. Arrived in Paris, they went to 29, Boulevards des Capucines, a private hotel, where Wilde had a bed-sitting room and witness a bedroom. The two rooms communicated. Next day they lunched at the Cafe Julien, and in the afternoon went to the Grand Hotel to have their hair out. Wilde spoke in French to the barber, who began to curl witness' hair. It will be remembered that Wilde's version of this incident is that the lad wanted to have his hair curled, and he forbade him. They dined together, "the best dinner I ever had in my life," said the witness, and afterwards Wilde gave him a louis and permission to go out and amuse himself.
He said "Yes," and they went two days later, by the Club Train from Victoria. Arrived in Paris, they went to 29, Boulevard des Capucines, a private hotel, where Wilde had a bed-sitting-room and witness a bedroom. The two rooms communicated. Next day they lunched at the Cafe Julien, and in the afternoon went to the Grand Hotel to have their hair cut. Wilde spoke in French to the barber, who began to curl witness's hair. It will be remembered that Wilde's version of this incident is that the lad wanted to have his hair curled, and he forbade him.
"To go to the Moulin Rouge?" suggested Mr. Gill.
"No," said the witness. "He told me not to go there. But I went." He got back at half-past two a.m.; and declares he found a third person, whose name he gave as Schwabe with Wilde. At half-past nine next morning Wilde came and sat on the edge of witness's bed, and talked to him about women, warning him that they were the ruin of young men. "He told me not to have anything to do with them." The witness gave no evidence of impropriety. Wilde gave him the usual
"No," said the Witness. "He told me not to go there. But I went." He got back at half-past two a.m., and declares he found a third person, whose name he gave as Schwabe with Wilde. At half-past nine next morning Wilde came and sat on the edge of the witness's bed, and talked to him about women, warning him that they were the ruin of young men. "He told me not to have anything to do with them." The Witness gave no evidence of impropriety, although Wilde had made improper suggestions to him.
SILVER CIGARETTE CASE
and £3 when they got back to Victoria. Mr. Gill reverted to the dinner at the Florence, and the witness mentioned as parts of Wilde's table manners that he kissed the waiter, and put his arms round the necks of witness and Lord Alfred Douglas.
Wilde gave him the usual silver cigarette case and £3 when they got back to Victoria. Mr. Gill reverted to the dinner at the Florence, and the witness mentioned as part of Wilde's table manners that he kissed the waiter, and put his arms round the necks of witnesses and Lord Alfred Douglas.
"To go to the Moulin Rouge?" suggested Mr. Gill. "No," said the witness. "He told me not to go there. But I went." Wilde gave him the usual cigarette case and £3 when they got back to Victoria. Mr. Gill reverted to the dinner at the Florence, and the witness mentioned as parts of Wilde's table manners that he kissed the waiter, and put his arms round the necks of witness and Lord Alfred Douglas.
Mr. Newton had not much to ask this witness in cross-examination. "Don't mention any name, " he said, "but were you not introduced to Taylor by the gentleman who was in Paris?" - Yes.
Mr Newton had not much to ask of this witness in cross-examination. "Don't mention any name," he said, "but were you not introduced to Taylor by the gentleman who was in Paris?" - Yes.
Mr. Newton, in cross-examination: Do not mention any name, but were you introduced to Taylor by the gentleman who was in Paris?—Yes.
Did not that gentleman also introduce you to Mr. Wilde? - No.
The witness denied that he had been living for years past with a man named Burton, and extorting money from gentlemen. He is--and was when he first met Wilde--a comedian and bookmaker's clerk.
Witness had been living for years past with a man named Burton, but denied having extorted money from gentlemen. He is--and was when he first met Wilde--a comedian and a bookmaker's clerk.
Sir John Bridge: Did you do any secretarial work for Wilde in Paris?
Sir John Bridge: Did you do any secretarial work for Wilde in Paris?
Witness: Yes; I wrote something about the "Woman of No Importance."
Among the few people of some importance who were among the crowd in court during the morning were Sir Augustus Harris and Mr. Jerome J. Jerome.
Among the few people of some importance who were among the crowd in court during the morning were Sir Augustus Harris and Mr. Jerome J. Jerome.
Among the few people of some importance who were among the crowd in court during the morning were Sir Augustus Harris and Mr. Jerome K. Jerome.
The next witness was a tall, heavy-framed young fellow, with a square jaw and a distinctly
"INTELLECTUAL FACE,"
as Wilde said of him at the Old Bailey. This was Edward Shelley, the young clerk who was employed by Elkin Mathews and Co. at the Bodley Head, where he made Wilde's acquaintance. In spite of the stifling closeness of the court he wore a heavy double-breasted reefer overcoat, tightly buttoned. It was over the retail book counter that he first saw Wilde, who was at the Bodley Head about the publication of one of his books, and the acquaintance was encouraged by presents of Wilde's works and an invitation to dinner at the Albermarle, where the witness took so much wine that he became excited. After dinner, in a private sitting room, they had more to drink, and afterwards Wilde said, "Will you come into my room?" "I didn't know what the man was," the witness said. "I only thought he was going to put me up for the night. I admired his works, and he always professed to be fond of me, and flattered me. He said I was clever."
The next witness was a tall, heavy-framed young fellow, with a distinctly "intellectual face," as Wilde said of him at the Old Bailey. This was Edward Shelley, the young clerk who was employed by Elkin Mathews and Co. at the Bodley Head, where he made Wilde's acquaintance. In spite of the stifling closeness of the court he wore a heavy double-breasted reefer overcoat, tightly buttoned. It was over the retail book counter that he first saw Wilde, who was at the Bodley Head about the publication of one of his books, and the acquaintance was encouraged by presents of Wilde's works and an invitation to dinner at the Albermarle, where the witness too so much wine that he became excited. Witness admired Wilde's works, and he always professed to be fond of Shelley, and Wilde flattered him and said he was clever.
All this Wilde heard with an inscrutable countenance, the inevitable suede gloves hanging from the fingers which supported his large fleshy face, and his eyes blankly fixed on the wall behind the magistrate.
All this Wilde heard with an inscrutable countenance, the inevitable suede gloves hanging from the fingers which supported his large fleshy face, and his eyes blankly fixed on the wall behind the magistrate.
All this Wilde heard with an inscrutable countenance, the inevitable suede gloves hanging from his fingers and his eyes blankly fixed on the wall behind the Magistrate.
Shelley went on to
DESCRIBE VISITS
to Kettner's, the Cafe Royal, the Independent Theatre, and other places in the company of Wilde. He had destroyed all the letters he had received from Wilde, he said, and had torn out the inscribed title-pages from the books which were given to him. But he had kept the books. Wilde asked him to go to Paris with him, but he was not able to get off.
Shelley went on to describe visits to Kettner's, the Cafe Royal, the Independent Theatre, and other places in the company of Wilde. He had destroyed all the letters he had received from Wilde, he said, and had torn out the inscribed title-pages from the books which were given to him.
"Taylor is a stranger to you?" was Mr. Newton's only question. "Quite a stranger," Shelley replied, and left the witness box with his highly polished silk hat and rattan cane.
Mrs. Lucy Rumsby, a stout old lady in a plush mantle and a crape bonnet, is landlady at 50, Park-walk, Chelsea, and for a fortnight Charles Parker occupied a small room in her house. At the end of that time she gave him notice in consequence of a complaint made by another lodger. Mrs. Margery Bancroft, who lives in the house, added that Taylor, who at the time lived at No. 3, Chapel-street--which is just round the corner--sometimes called for Parker. On one occasion, late at night, a cab drew up at the door, and she saw Parker and Oscar Wilde alight.
Mrs. Lucy Rumsby, a stout old lady in a plush mantle and a crape bonnet, is landlady of 50, Park-walk, Chelsea, and for a fortnight Charles Parker occupied a small room in her house. At the end of that time she gave him notice in consequence of a complaint made by another lodger. Mrs. Margery Bancroft, who lives in the house, added that Taylor, who at the time lived at 3, Chapel-street--which is just round the corner--sometimes called for Parker. On one occasion, late at night, a cab drew up at the door, and she saw Parker and Oscar Wilde alight.
Both prisoners were ordered to stand up, and Mrs. Bancroft stated positively that she
Both prisoners were ordered to stand up, and Mrs. Bancroft stated positively that she
RECOGNISED THEM BOTH.
Taylor smiled a sickly smile. Wilde was impassive and superior.
Mrs. Bancroft added that she had her suspicions, and it was on her complaint that Parker was sent away. Park-walk was ten minutes' walk from Tite-st. But Wilde came in a cab.
Mrs. Bancroft added that she had her suspicions, and it was on her complaint that Parker was sent away. Park-walk was ten minutes' walk from Tite-street. But Wilde came in a cab.
Mrs. Gray, the landlady of 3, Chapel-st, gave similar evidence. She let two rooms to Taylor, from August to the end of 1893, and had seen both Parker and Wilde there. Parker had stayed all night. When Taylor went away he left behind a box of papers, which the witness had handed over to Mr. Russell, Lord Queensberry's solicitor. Taylor never seemed to have any occupation, and had not many callers. Perhaps two or three young men had called at different times. She knew nothing about the Little College-street establishment.
Mrs. Gray, another landlady, gave similar evidence. She let two rooms to Taylor, from August to the end of 1893, and had seen both Parker and Wilde there. Parker had stayed all night. When Taylor went away he left behind a box of papers, which the witness had handed over to Mr. Russell, Lord Queensberry's solicitor. Taylor never seemed to have any occupation, and had not many callers. Perhaps two or three young men had called at different times. She knew nothing about the Little College-street establishment.
"You are not in the habit of asking questions about your lodgers' business?" asked Mr. Newton. "Oh, no; I knew he was a man of respectable family. He always
ACTED AS A GENTLEMAN
in my place."
Mr. Gill: You never saw any ladies there?
Witness: Oh, no, sir.
The Court adjourned for a few minutes for lunch.
Wilde Has Been Ill.
The Exchange Telegraph Company says Oscar Wilde has been very ill in Holloway Gaol, and yesterday was seen by the prison doctor several times.
The Exchange Telegraph Company says Oscar Wilde has been very ill in Holloway Gaol, and on Wednesday was seen by the prison doctor several times.
Another Remand Probable.
It is stated the case will last all day, and that the Treasury will ask for another remand to-day.