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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.]

The trial of the Marquis of Queensberry for criminally libelling Mr. Oscar Wilde, the well known dramatist, was continued to-day, the cross-examination of the complainant, Mr. Oscar Wilde, being continued. The alleged libel is contained on a post-card which the Marquis left with the hall porter at Mr. Wilde's club. The defence is justification, the Marquis declaring that the letter was written with the object of saving his son, Lord Alfred Douglas, from immoral influences exerted over him by Mr. Wilde. The defence is based on revelations contained in certain letters from Mr. Wilde to Lord Alfred Douglas. For some of these letters Mr. Wilde has had, it is alleged, to pay heavy blackmail. The letters, which were of a very gushing character, were found in some old clothes which Lord Alfred Douglas had given away.

Mr. Oscar Wilde stated, in cross-examination, that he was acquainted with three men named Taylor, Parkes, and Atkins. Taylor introduced him to five young men on separate occasions. To these young men witness had given money. He was not aware that they or any of them were gentlemen's servants. It was a pleasure being in their company, as they were bright and happy people. Witness visited Taylor's rooms frequently. He became aware that Taylor and Parkes had once been arrested, but that knowledge did not lead him to discontinue his friendship with them. He once took Atkins to Paris. Taylor introduced him to a youth named Ernest Scarp, who had become acquainted with Lord Douglas during a voyage to Australia. Witness made presents to Scarp and Taylor because he liked them.

Counsel for the Marquis of Queensberry read letters in Court showing that the Marquis endeavoured to stop his son, Lord Alfred Douglas, visiting Mr. Wilde. Lord Alfred wired to his father saying that Mr. Wilde was a funny little man. The Marquis called at Mr. Wilde's house and made certain charges against Mr. Wilde. A furious scene ensued, in the course of which Mr. Wilde denied the charges and closed the interview by showing the Marquis the door. The Marquis subsequently wrote complaining that Mrs. Wilde encouraged his son to persist in his friendship with her husband.

Letters were read in Court from the youths already named. These letters showed that the writers were living in poverty and were striken with shame. They implored assistance and employment.

In cross-examination Mr. Wilde admitted that he was on terms of close intimacy with the young men mentioned. He had introduced Taylor to his friends and had dined with him at fashionable restaurants. He had also on several occasions spent the night with his guests at his hotel, but nothing improper occurred on those occasions. He was regardless of the social inferiority of those with whom he associated, provided that they were an amusing class of people.

A letter was put in as evidence which showed that Lord Alfred Douglas had threatened to shoot his father, if his father attempted to thrash him.

In one of the Marquis of Queensberry's letters reference was made to an eminent statesman, but the reference was purely political.

The case for the prosecution closed today, and Mr. Carson, Q.C., M.P., leading counsel for the Marquis of Queensberry, began his speech for the defence. He declared that Mr. Wilde's protègés were amongst the most immoral men in London. He commented on the fact that the prosecution did not put Taylor into the witness box. He declared that Mr. Wilde's intimacies with the young man were absolutely irreconcileable with his claims to be regarded as an exponent of culture. His literary work alone justified the steps taken by the Marquis of Queensberry. Witnesses would, however, be called who would prove the case for the defence up to the hilt. Among the witnesses would be the man Wood, who was the chief among Mr. Wilde's blackmailers.

London, April 5.

The Queensberry-Wilde criminal libel action has been brought to a sudden and startling close. Mr. Wilde's counsel announced that he had decided to withdraw from the case. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty, and expressed the opinion that the Marquis of Queensberry's charges were made for the public benefit. It is expected that a warrant will be issued for Mr. Wilde's arrest.