BLACKMAILING.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8515, 5 April 1895, Page 2

BLACKMAILING.

The Wilde-ftueenslrary libel Case.

(By Eleotrio Telegraph— Copyright.) (Per United Press Association.)

London, April 4.

Mr WiJde was subjected to a stringent cross-examination with a view to showing that " Donan Grey " and some other articles in a magazine called the Chameleon, with which he is connected, are of an, immoral tendency. Mr Wilde insisted that they were merely an expression of the artistic faculty. His letters to bis daughter were prose poems, extraordinary perhaps, bat justifying an immoral interpretation. He admitted that he gave one of his alleged blackmailers £25, and lunched with him in a private room afterwards. The case was adjourned. The defendant was admitted to bail.

In his cross-examination, Oscar Wilde admitted he was acquainted with young men named Taylor, Parker, and Atkins. Taylor had introduced him to five young men on separata occasions, to whom witness had given money, but he was not aware any of them were gentlemen's servants He said he derived pleasure of , being in the company of bright happy people. Witness had frequently been in Taylor's room. Was aware that both Taylor and Parker had once been arrested, but continued their friendships. Once he took Atkins and a youth named Price to Paris and introduced them to another youth named Ernest Scarp, who became acquainted with Lord Douglas. When making » voyage to Australia Wilde •aid he had made presents to Scarp and Mabot because he liked them.

Letter* read in Court proved that the Marfiuis of Qaeensburj wai endearoaring to stop his sou Tinting Wilde. The son wired backed to his father that Wiide was a f nnny little man. The Marquis subsequently called at Wilde's houee, where a furious scene took

placa. ' The latter denied the loharges ■gainst him and showed the Marquis the door.' Witness wrote to the Marquis complaining that his wife encouraged hit son's risite. Wilde'a friendship with Lady Queensbury and «ons remained unbroken. Certain letters from the youths already named showed that the writers were porerty ■tricken and needed some employment