Nanaimo Free Press - Tuesday, April 30, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
Cable Dispatches.
Special to the FREE PRESS.
WILDE IN THE WITNESS BOX.
London, April 30 — In the Wilde-Taylor trial today charges of conspiracy were withdrawn by the prosecution. Counsel for Wilde asked for a verdict of not guilty on those counts. The court refused. Counsel for Wilde then began the opening address. He said Wilde would take the stand and make an unqualified denial of the charges against him. He bad advised Wilde to accept the verdict against himself in the Queensbury trial because it was clear the jury would not convict Queensbury. Wilde was called to the witness stand. He swore the evidence given at the Queensbury trial wis absolutely true and repeated it on cross-examination. Wilde said he had nothing to do with the publishing of Lord Douglas’ poems nor his articles in the ‘Chameleon’ magazine. When asked to define Lord Douglas’ expression, he said: "I am the love that dare not speak its name" Wilde said he thought it meant spiritual love as pure as it was perfect. Wilde proceeded to enlarge upon the subject, and became so eloquent as to evoke applause, causing the judge to threaten to clear the court. Taylor, the co-defendant, next took the stand and told his career. He absolutely denied the charges against him.
London, April 30. In the Wilde and Taylor trial to-day the charges of conspiracy were withdrawn by the prosecution. Counsel for Wilde asked for a verdict of not guilty on those counts. The court refused the request. Counsel for Wilde then began his opening address. He said Wilde would take the stand and make an unqualified denial of the charges against him. He had advised Wilde to accept the verdict against himself in the Queensberry trial because it was clear that the jury would not convict Queensberry. Wilde was called to the witness stand. He swore that the evidence given at the Queensherry trial waa absolutely true, and repeated it on cross-examination. Wilde said he had nothing to do with publishing Lord Douglas' poems nor his articles in the Chameleon (magazine). Asked to define Lord Douglas' expression "I am the love that dare not apeak its name," Wilde said he thought it meant spiritual love, as pure as it was perfect. Wilde proceeded to enlarge on the subject and became so eloquent as to evoke applause, causing the judge to threaten to clear the court. Taylor, the co-defendant, next took the stand and told his career. He absolutely denied the charges against him.