8 Apr 1895 - The Globe (London)
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There was the same scene of excitement at Bow-street Police-court this morning as had been witnessed for the past three days at the Old Bailey. The Extradition Court, usually give up to special cases, was soon crowded, and outside a force of police was requisitioned to keep order among the throng clamouring for admission. One or two well-known persons were present as spectators during the proceedings, and one woman was permitted to have a seat behind the dock. Brought up from the cells soon after eleven o'clock, Oscar Wilde, was at once placed in the dock, and a gaoler stationed by his side. With an air of apparent unconcern, and leaning on the iron rail in the same nonchalant attitude as previously adopted in the witness-box, the prisoner listened to the opening statement of Mr. Gill.
Mr. Gill said he appeared in this case on behalf of the Public Prosecutor to prosecute the prisoner on a series of charges, partly under the 11th section of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, but having regard to the nature of the case, he (counsel) did not think it desirable that he should trouble the magistrate with many opening observations. No good purpose would be served by going into the matter in an opening speech, and he would therefore only indicate generally what the character of the evidence was that he proposed to introduce, and after that he would ask that the prisoner should be formally committed. The case which he proposed to go into, in the first instance, related to the conduct of the prisoner as regarded a young man named Charles Parker. It would appear that at the end of 1893, the prisoner was staying at the Savoy Hotel. He stayed there from March 2 to March 29. At the same time there was living at Little College-street, Westminster, in the upper part of the house, a man named Alfred Taylor. He was a man closely connect with Wilde, and the evidence would disclose that he was a person engaged to act for the prisoner in certain ways. The prisoner was in the habit of visiting Taylor at Little College-street, and in the course of the case the court would hear of the condition of things that existed at this house, and of the rooms occupied by this man. Parker was a servant out of a place, but he had been in the employment of a gentlemen as a valet. Being out of employment, he was in the company of his brother, William, who was a groom. At the end of February or the beginning of March, in St. James's Restaurant, they were approached by Alfred Taylor. Counsel then described the way in which the boys were introduced to Wilde, and various circumstances which subsequently occurred. Continuing, he said the police had had an enormously difficult task to obtain evidence, but they had some time ago been all over the house in College-street. There were also several other cases of the same kind which it was proposed to go into.
Charles Parker was then called, and gave evidence bearing out the opening statement.
In the course of his examination, Mr. Gill interrupted the proceedings to state that he had just been informed that the man, Alfred Taylor, had been arrested, and it would save time if he were now brought into the dock, so that he might also hear the evidence.
Sir J. Bridge: Very well.
Mr. Humphresy, representing Mr. Wilde, asked how long the case would not go on.
Sr. J. Bridge: A case of this sort ought to be dealt with as speedily as possible, and I shall propose to sit until four or five o'clock, if necessary.
The proceedings were stopped for several minutes, and when Taylor, a smart-looking man, entered the dock, Wilde bowed to him.
Sir Jr. Bridge explained to Taylor that the evidence already given related also to a charge against him, and it should therefore, be read over.
This having been done, Parker continued his statement.
Mr. Humphreys having retired owning to other important engagements, his place as representing the defense, was taken by Mr. Travers Humphreys, who said they had been taken completely by in this matter, and he asked that he might be allowed to cross-examine any of the witnesses, who might be called to-day, on a future occasion.
Taylor, on being asked by the magistrate, also said he reserved his cross-examination.
Witness was bound over to give evidence at the Old Bailey.
William Parker, brother of the last witness, gave evidence of his introduction to Oscar Wilde. He only saw him once.
Mrs. Grant, living at Little College-street, spoke of the number of persons who frequented the house, and said she knew it was being watched by the police.
Sidney Mayvon said he had been to Little College-street and the Albamarle Hotel with Wilde, but the latter had never given him money.
After further evidence the case was adjourned until next Thursday. Bail was applied for on behalf of Mr. Oscar Wilde, and refused.
LORD QUEENSBERRY'S MESSAGE[edit]
The Marquis of Queensberry wishes to correct the statement published that as soon as the trial ended he sent the following message to Mr. Wilde: "If the country allows you to leave, all the better for the country, but if you take my son with you I will follow you wherever you go and shoot you." This statement is not correct. The message was sent some days ago, not after the trial ended, and what Lord Queensberry said was that if he (Wilde) persuaded his misguided son to go with him, he would feel justified in following him (Wilde) and shooting him, did he feel inclined to dos o, and were he worth the trouble.
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"AN IDEAL HUSBAND"[edit]
Sir, -- As there appears to be some misconception as to whether we intend to carry out our arrangements entered into some time ago to transfer "An Ideal Husband" at the end of the our tenancy of this theatre to another house, we should like to state that we do not feel justified in making large numbers of people suffer by altering our plans, and that we shall, therefore, adhere to our engagements and place the piece at the Criterion on Saturday, April 13th. "An Ideal Husband" is an entirely innocent play, which has been accepted by the public and the press as an agreeable evening's entertainment, and has already been performed over 100 times - Your truley.
LEWIS WALLER and H.H. MORELL Haymarket Theatre, April 6.