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London, April 3.-- At the trial at the Old Bailey to-day of the Marquis of Queensberry, on a charge of criminally libelling Oscar Wilde, a number of letters from the prosecutor to Lord Alfred Douglas were read. They were of a most effusive character. Asked as to one letter in which the words "you are the divine thing I want" occurred, prosecutor explained that it was "the natural expression of an artist to a beautiful personality."

Evidence was given that the Marquis of Queensberry visited the residence of Oscar Wilde, and threatened him, and that Wilde responded "you are the most infamous brute in London."

Prosecutor was severely cross-examined with a view to showing that his novel, "Dorian Gray," a story of modern life, which appeared in "Lippincott's Magazine," his articles in other magazines, and the 'Chameleon,' with which he is connected, inspired to criminal practices. Wilde insisted that the articles were merely the expression of an artistic faculty. The letters to Lord Alfred Douglas were "prose poems," "extraordinary perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation." He admitted that he gave one of the alleged blackmailers £21 and afterwards entertained him at luncheon in a private room. Wilde also admitted being on terms of intimacy with two lads not his social equals, and that he gave them considerable sums of money and expensive presents. He did this because he "liked them."

Prosecutor's epigrams, paradoxes, and extravagance caused much amusement in court.

The case had not concluded when the court adjourned.

The Marquis was admitted to bail.

April 4. -- Prosecutor admitted that he was acquainted with three men named Taylor, Parker, and Atkins. Taylor, on separate occasions, introduced five young men to him, and he had given them money. He was not aware that any of them were gentlemen's servants. He took pleasure in being in the company of bright and happy people. He had visited Taylor's rooms frequently. He was aware that Taylor and Parker had once been arrested, but he had, notwithstanding, continued his friendship with them. He once took Atkins to Paris. Taylor introduced to him a youth named Ernest Scarp, who afterwards became acquainted with Lord Alfred Douglas while on the voyage to Australia. He, prosecutor, had made presents to Scarp and another young man named Mavor because he liked them.

Certain letters were then read from youths already mentioned which showed that the writers were poverty-stricken. Some implored assistance in obtaining employment.

Other letters read showed that theMarquis of Queensberry endeavored to stop his son from visiting Wilde.

On one occasion Lord Alfred Douglas wired to his father that "he was a funny little man."

Further evidence showed that the Marquis afterwards called at Wilde's house, and a furious scene ensued. Wilde denied the Marquis's charges, and showed him the door. The Marquis also wrote complaining that his wife encouraged the visits of his son to Wilde. The friendship of prosecutor with Lady Queensberry and her sons remained unbroken.

[The Marquis of Queensberry has been twice married. His first wife, to whom he was married in 1866, was Sybil, second daughter of Mr. Alfred Montgomery (brother of the Right Hon. Sir Henry C. Montgomery, Bart.), and granddaughter of Lord Leconfield. By this lady, who obtained a divorce in 1887, he has issue surviving two sons and one daughter. The eldest son, Viscount Drumlanrig, was accidentally shot a short time since. He married secondly, in 1893, Ethel, daughter of Mr. Edward Charles Weldon, of Eastbourne. This marriage, like the first, did not prove a very happy one, and the lady obtained a decree of nullity early last year.]

LONDON, APRIL 4.

The trial of the Marquis of Queensberry, on a charge of having criminally libelled Oscar Wilde, the dramatist and poet, was continued to-day.

In cross-examination the prosecutor admitted that he was acquainted with three men named Taylor, Parker, and Atkins. Taylor introduced five young men to him on separate occasions, and Wilde had given them money. He was not aware that any of them were gentlemen's servants. He said that he took pleasure in being in the company of bright and happy people. He had visited Taylor's rooms frequently. He was aware that Taylor and Parker had once been arrested, but he had, notwithstanding this fact, continued his friendship with them. He once took Atkins to Paris. Taylor introduced to him a youth named Scarp, who afterwards became acquainted with Lord Alfred Douglas, while on the voyage to Australia. He (Wilde) had made presents to Scarp and another young man named Mabor, because he liked them.

Certain letters were read in court from some of the youths already named, showing that the writers were poverty stricken, and implored assistance from Wilde in obtaining employment.

Other letters were read indicating that the Marquis of Queensberry had endeavoured to stop his son from visiting Wilde. On one occasion Lord Alfred Douglas telegraphed to his father that "he was a funny little man."

Further evidence was given, showing that the Marquis of Queensberry afterwards called at Wilde's house, and a furious scene ensued. Wilde denied the charge made against him by the Marquis, and showed him the door.

The Marquis also wrote, complaining that his wife encouraged his son in his friendship for Wilde. The friendship between Lady Queensberry and her sons remained unbroken.

LATER.

Oscar Wilde admitted close intimacy with young men who had been introduced to him by Taylor. He had entertained them at dinner at fashionable cafés. Several had spent the night as his guests at his hotels, but nothing improper occurred. He was regardless of the social inferiority of his guests if they were amusing.

Letters written by Lord Alfred Douglas were read in which he threatened to shoot his father if he attempted to thrash him. Some letters of the Marquis of Queensberry were read, containing statements referring to eminent statesmen, but the references to them wore only of a political nature.

The case for the prosecution having closed,

Mr. E.H. Carson, Q.C., M.P., in opening the case for the defence, declared that Wilde's protégés were among the most immoral men in London. He commented strongly on the fact that the prosecutor had not called Taylor as a witness. Wilde's intimacies were absolutely irreconcilable with his claim as an exponent of culture, and his literature alone justified the action of the Marquis. Mr. Carson said that among other witnesses he would call Wood, the chief blackmailer, and would prove his case up to the hilt.

APRIL 5.

Counsel for the prosecutor has withdrawn from the case.

The jury returned a verdict of not guilty, and considered that the charges made by the Marquis of Queensberry were for the public benefit.

It is expected that Oscar Wilde will be arrested.