Testimony of Alfred Taylor
Taylor was examined by J. P. Grain
Alfred Taylor--I am thirty-three years of age. I am the son of a cocoa manufacturer, whose business is now being carried on as a limited liability company. Up to the age of 16 or 17 I was educated at Marlborough School, 2nd afterwards I went to a private tutor at Preston, near Brighton. I then entered the militia, going into the 4th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, City of London Regiment. My original intention was to 90 into the army, but on coming of age in 1883 I came into a fortune of £45,000 and have since that time had no occupation but have lived a life of pleasure.
Cross--examined by Mr. Gill
Taylor--I have no
occupation.
It is untrue that I was expelled from a public school for being
caught
in a compromising situation with a small boy in the
lavatory. It
is true that I used to have a number of young men living in my
rooms and
sleeping in the same bed.
G--Is it true that you ever
went
through a mock marriage with Mason?
T--Absolutely untrue.
G--Had you a woman's dress
in
your rooms?
T--An Eastern costume.
G--A woman's dress?
T--Yes.
G--A woman's wig?
T--I will explain. It
was--
G--Had you women's
stockings?
T--Yes.
G--At the time you were
living
in Chapel Street, were you in serious money difficulties?
T--I had just gone through
the
Bankruptcy Court.
G--Have you not actually
made
a living since your bankruptcy by procuring lads and young men
for rich
gentlemen whom you knew to be given to this vice?
T--No.
G--Have you not extracted
large
sums of money from wealthy men by threatening to accuse them of
immoralities?
T--No.
G--You made the acquaintance
of the Parkers in the St. James's Restaurant?
T--It was outside, and I was
introduced to them by a friend.
G--What did you give them
your
address for?
T--Well, when one makes an
acquaintance
and you think you will like one another--
G--Are you in the habit of
speaking
to young men in Piccadilly?
T--I know what you
mean.
No.
G--You go into Piccadilly?
T--Yes, always.
G--St. James's?
T--Yes.
G--Have you ever accosted
men
at the Alhambra or the Empire?
T--Never.
G--Did you know Mr. Wilde
well?
T--Yes.
G--Did you tell certain lads
that he was fond of boys?
T--No, never.
G--Did you know that he is?
T--I believe he is fond of
young
people.
G--Why did you introduce
Charles
Parker to Mr. Wilde?
T--I thought Mr. Wilde might
use his influence to obtain for him some work on the stage.
G--Did you know a man named
Marling
who was concerned in the Fitzroy Street raid?
T--Yes.
G--Do you know what he is?
T--I have heard a good deal.
G--Were you and Charles
Parker
both arrested in that raid?
T--Yes, but we were
discharged
from custody.
G--What was the reason for
the
dinner at Kettner's?
T--It was in honour of my
birthday.
After dinner was over the Parkers and I went home to my rooms in
Little
College Street.
G--Why did you burn incense
in
your rooms?
T--Because I liked it.