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The trial of the Marquis of Queensberry on the charge of having criminally libelled Mr. Oscar Wilde, the well-known author and dramatist, was resumed to-day. Lord Queensberry was committed for trial on March 9. The alleged libel consisted of some works written by the accused on a card which was left, with the hall porter at Sir. Wilde's club. The defence was that this action was taken by the Marquis in order to save his son, Lord Alfred Bruce Douglas, who is 24 years of age, front the immoral influence of Mr. Wilde.

In consequence of the social position of the parties the case continues to excite extraordinary interest, and the court was again densely crowded.

Mr. Wilde, in cross-examination, stated that he was acquainted with three men named Taylor, Parker, and Atkins. Taylor introduced him to five young men on separate occasions, and he (witness) gave money to all of them. He was not aware that any of them were gentlemen's servants. His reason for making their acquaintance was that it was a pleasure to him to be in the company of bright, happy people. He had frequently visited Taylor's room. He was aware that both Taylor and Parker had once been arrested, but his friendship for them was not affected by that knowledge. Witness further admitted that he once took Atkins to Paris. Taylor introduced him to a youth named Ernest Scarp, who became acquainted with Lord Alfred Douglas during a voyage to Australia. Witness made presents to Scarp, and also to another youth named Mabor, because he liked them.

Certain letters from the youths already named to Mr. Oscar Wilde were read, which showed that the writers were poverty-stricken. Some of them implored assistance and employment.

Letters were also read showing the attempts that were made by the Marquis of Queensberry to prevent his son from visiting Mr. Oscar Wilde. The son, Lord Alfred Douglas, telegraphed to his father in a very flippant way, alluding to him as a " funny little man." Lord Queensberry called at Mr. Oscar Wilde's house, where a furious scene was enacted. Accusations similar to those upon which the charge is based were made by the Marquis of Queensberry, and indignantly denied by Mr. Wilde, who concluded the interview by showing his visitor the door. Lord Queensberry wrote complaining of the fact that Lady Queensberry was encouraging their son in his friendship with Mr. Oscar Wilde, and that the friendship between the latter and Lady Queensberry and her sons continued unbroken.

(The above appeared in yesterday's Second Edition.)

LONDON, APRIL 4, 9.55 P.M.

In the course of cross-examination Mr. Oscar Wilde admitted that there was a close intimacy between him and the young men who were introduced to him by Taylor. He entertained them at dinners at fashionable cafés, and several of them spent the night as his guests at his hotels, but he declared that nothing improper ever took place between them. Witness said that he was regardless of the social inferiority of his companions if they were amusing.

Letters by Lord Alfred Douglas were read, in which the writer threatened to shoot his father, the Marquis of Queensberry, if he attempted to thrash him. Letters by Lord Queensberry were also read, in which eminent statesmen were referred to, but the references were only of a political character.

The case for the prosecutor, Mr. Oscar Wilde, then closed, and Mr. E. H. Carson, Q.C., opened the case for the defense. He asserted that Mr. Wilde’s protégés were among the most immoral persons in London. He strongly commented on the fact that Taylor was not called to give evidence, and declared that the intimacies formed by Mr. Wilde with the persons who had been mentioned were absolutely irreconcilable with his claims to be an exponent of culture. Mr. Carson expressed his opinion that the character of Mr. Oscar Wilde's literary works was alone sufficient to justify the action taken by Lord Queensberry. Witnesses, however, including Wood, the chief person who had levied blackmail on Mr. Wilde, would be called, and they would prove the case against him up to the hilt.

WITHDRAWAL OF MR. WILDE'S

COUNSEL.

VERDICT OF THE JURY.

LONDON, APRIL 5, 11.30 A.M.

The trial of the Marquis of Queensberry on the charge of criminally libelling Mr. Oscar Wilde was resumed this morning, and came to a speedy termination.

Mr. Wilde's counsel withdrew from the case, and the jury returned a verdict of not guilty, expressing an opinion that Lord Queensberry's charges against Mr. Oscar Wilde were made for the public benefit.

It is expected that Mr. Oscar Wilde will be arrested on a criminal charge.

STATEMENT BY MR. WILDE'S

COUNSEL.

HIS WITHDRAWAL CHEERED.

OSCAR WILDE LEAVES THE

COURT.

LONDON, APRIL 5, 1.10 P.M.

The counsel for Mr. Oscar Wilde, in announcing his withdrawal from the case, explained that the literary works and letters of his client justified Lord Queensberry's plea, and expressed an opinion that Wilde had posed as an immoral person. He stated that he therefore withdrew from the case, in order to avoid the production of the appalling evidence against his client that he saw would be forthcoming if the case were continued.

This announcement was greeted by loud cheers from those present in the court, and while his counsel was making the statement Mr. Oscar Wilde hurriedly left the court.

No warrant for the arrest of Wilde has yet been applied for, but Mr. Russell, Lord Queensberry's solicitor, has, in order to prevent any miscarriage of justice, sent to the Public Prosecutor a statement on the subject, and notes of the evidence that would have been given by the witnesses to be called on his client's behalf.

[Mr. Oscar Wilde is 39 years old, having been born in Dublin in 1856, his parents being Sir William Wilde, a distinguished surgeon and antiquarian, and Lady Wilde, a well-known poetess and writer. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and at Oxford, where he gained the Newdigate prize for poetry in 1878. In 1880 he came before the public with a volume of poems which attracted some attention. In 1881 he visited America, where he lectured on art. Mr. Wilde's name has always been prominently associated with the "æsthetic" movement, and he has been supposed to be the prototype of Bunthorne in Gilbert and Sullivan's opera "Patience." He has contributed extensively to the magazines, and his novelette, The Picture of Dorian Gray, appeared in Lippincott's Magazine in July, 1890, and was afterwards republished in book form. Latterly Mr. Wilde has turned his attention to the drama. "The Duchess of Padua," a five-act tragedy, was produced at New York in January, 1891. The comedy "Lady Windermere's Fan" was performed at the St. James's Theatre, London, in February, 1892, and, it will be remembered, was produced here last year at the Princess's Theatre by the Brough and Boucicault Company. In 1893 he wrote "Salome" for Madame Sarah Bernhardt, the performance of which in London was prohibited by the Lord Chamberlain, as it dealt with scenes and characters from the New Testament. He therefore published it in French in Paris. "A Woman of No Importance," a comedy, was given at the Haymarket Theatre in April, 1893, and his latest drama, "The Importance of Being Earnest," is now being played at the St. James's Theatre, London, by Mr. George Alexander's company. In 1884 Mr. Wilde married Constance, daughter of Mr. Horace Lloyd, Q.C., and has two sons, Cyril, born in l885, and Vivian, in 1886.]

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.