The New York Herald (European Edition) - Friday, April 12, 1895

OSCAR WILDE AGAIN AT BOW STREET.
Rumors Current that He Has Been Seriously Ill During His Imprisonment.
REPORT IN FAVOR OF OPIUM.
The Commission Thinks the Statements of Abuse of the Narcotic Are Exaggerated.
[BY THE HERALD'S SPECIAL WIRE.]

London, April 12. Oscar Wilde, when he appeared in the dock of Bow Street Police Court yesterday to once more listen to the incriminating evidence which has been gathered together against him and his companion Taylor, looked better rather than worse for his week's confinement in Holloway jail. The disappearance of the artificial curl from his hair and the decrease in the puffiness of his face combined to decidedly improve his appearance.

In attitude and manner, however, he was the same as a prisoner as when at the Old Bailey he appeared as nominal prosecutor. Before entering the court he had been received when he alighted from the prison van which brought him from Holloway, by a jeering crowd of a rough and rowdy nature. But neither this nor the curious gaze of the well-dressed and well-appearing spectators who crowded the court itself affected in the least his composure. His companion Taylor was equally self-possessed and unabashed.

The evidence given yesterday differed only in degree from that of the first hearing. Sir Edward Clarke, who appeared for Wilde, announced his intention of not cross-examining, as it was evident that the prisoner would be committed for trial, and it was desirable in every way that the proceedings should be as brief as possible.

TO DISCREDIT WITNESSES.

Unluckily the same view of the matter was not taken by Taylor's counsel, and thus it seems that these distasteful proceedings will be unduly lengthened. Mr. Arthur Newton, who defends Taylor, directed his cross-examination chiefly to the end of discrediting the witnesses. In the case of Parker, for instance, he endeavored to bring out the fact that he was a notorious blackmailer, who lived by his accusations against respectable people. In the case of, Atkins, who deposed that he had accompanied Wilde to Paris, Mr. Newton had not so much to say.

A witness of a different character to the others was Edward Shelley, former clerk to Elkin Matthews and John Lane. Shelley told the story of his intimacy with Wilde and mentioned that he had not only destroyed all the letters he had received from his former friend, but had torn out the inscribed title pages from books which had been given him.

Other evidence of a more or less formal character was given. The only interesting portion of it being that of Mr. Vogle, of the Hotel Albemarle, who asserted that after a few visits to his establishment he had come to the conclusion that Wilde was an undesirable customer. The ingenious way he adopted to get rid of him was suing him for his bill.

BAIL REFUSED IN BOTH CASES.

Strong applications for bail were made on behalf of both prisoners, Mr. Newton urging that all evidence against Taylor, who, he pointed out, was only charged with conspiring with Wilde, was that of discredited persons.

Sir J. Bridge refused positively to entertain either applications and remanded both prisoners in custody until this day week.

I may mention that it is reported that Wilde has been very ill during his stay in Holloway, and on Wednesday had to be seen four times by the prison doctor.