I am sure I and the jury will do our best to take care that the last trial has no influence at all on the present." Sir Edward Clarke stuck to his point.

He urged respectfully that as Mr.Wilde's name stood first on the indictment his case should be taken first.
Mr.Justice Wills said he could not interfere with the discretion of the prosecution, nor vary the ordinary procedure.

Justice and fair play on the one side and precedent on the other: justice was waved out of court with serene indifference.

Thereupon Sir Edward Clarke pressed that the trial of Mr.Oscar Wilde should stand over till the next sessions.

But again Mr.Justice Wills refused.