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Mr. Oscar Wilde was further cross-examined to-day during the hearing of his charge against the Marquis of Queensberry for criminal libel.

Mr. Wilde admitted a close companionship with the young men introduced by Taylor. He had dined with them in fashionable cafes, and several had stayed for the night as his guests at his hotels; but he denied that there was anything objectionable in the proceedings. He was regardless of the circumstances of social inferiority in his guests provided that they amused him.

The letters which Mr. Wilde had written to Lord Alfred Douglas were read, showing that the writer had threatened to shoot the Marquis if his Lordship attempted to thrash him. In the letters of the Marquis there were references to eminent statesmen, but they were only of a political nature.

Mr. Oscar Wilde's case was then closed.

Mr. Carson, Q.C., in opening the case for the defence, declared that Mr. Oscar Wilde's proteges were among the most undesirable characters in London. The learned counsel commented on the omission of the prosecution to call Taylor, and affirmed that Mr. Wilde's companionships were absolutely irreconcileable with his claims to be an exponent of culture. The literature of the prosecutor alone justified the defendant in the extreme course he bad adopted. More than that, Wood, the chief blackmailer, would prove the ease for the defence up to the hilt.

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.