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The trial of the Marquis of Queensberry on a charge of criminally libelling Mr. Oscar Wilde was commenced to-day, and created a great sensation, the court being thronged by an immense crowd of people. Mr. Oscar Wilde declared that he had paid heavy blackmail to recover some "gushing" letters he had written to Lord Alfred Douglas, the son of the Marquis, and which letters had been found in Lord Alfred's old clothes when they were given away. The defence that the Marquis was justified in leaving the alleged libellous card with the hall porter at Mr. Wilde's club with a view to bringing matters to a head, and, as he stated, saving his son, was based on the revelations said to be contained in these letters.

Mr. Wilde, after giving his evidence, was subjected to a stringent cross-examination with a view to showing that his book, "The Picture of Dorian Gray," and certain articles published in the magazine "Chameleon," with which he was connected, were inspired by criminal practices. Mr. Wilde, however, insisted that they were merely an expression of the artistic faculty; and, further, that his letters to Lord Alfred Douglas were prose poems — of an extraordinary character, perhaps, but not justifying any immoral interpretation. He admitted that he gave one of the alleged blackmailers £21, and entertained him at lunch afterwards in a private room. He also admitted that he had been on terms of intimacy with two lads who were not his social equals, and he gave them considerable sums of money and expensive presents because he liked them.

Mr. Wilde's epigrams, paradoxes, and general extravagance of demeanour during the progress of the case caused much amusement in court.

The case was eventually adjourned, the Marquis of Queensberry being admitted to bail.

LONDON, April 4.

The hearing of the charge of criminal libel brought by Mr. Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry was resumed this morning.

Mr. Wilde, in further cross-examination, said he was acquainted with certain persons named Taylor, Parker, and Atkins. Taylor had introduced to him on separate occasions five young men, to whom he (witness) gave 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, and he visited Taylor's room. He was aware that Taylor and Parker were once arrested, but he still continued on terms of friendship with them. Taylor introduced him to a youth named Ernest Scarp, who became acquainted with Lord Arthur Douglas during a voyage to Australia.

Mr. Wilde tendered to the Judge certain letters from the youths already mentioned, which were read, and showed that the writers were poverty-stricken, and implored him to give them assistance or employment.

Other letters were read in the court which showed that the Marquis of Queensberry had endeavoured to stop his son visiting Mr. Wilde, but his son (Lord Alfred Douglas) wired to the Marquis stating that "he (Wilde) was a funny little man." The Marquis then called at Mr. Wilde's house, and a furious scene ensued. Mr. Wilde denied the charge made against him, and showed the Marquis the door.

It transpired that the friendship between Mr. Wilde and Lady Queensberry (who last year obtained a decree of nullity of marriage) and her sons remains unbroken.

In the course of his cross-examination, Mr. Oscar Wilde admitted his close intimacy with young men introduced to him by Taylor. He said he was regardless of the social inferiority of those he associated with if they were amusing.

Lord Alfred Douglas's letters, read in court, showed that he threatened to shoot his father if the latter attempted to thrash him.

The Marquis of Queensberry's letters referred to several eminent statesmen, but the references were entirely of a political nature.

This closed Mr. Wilde's case.

Mr. Carson, Q.C., in opening the case for the defence, declared that Mr. Wilde's protégés were amongst the most immoral in London. He commented upon the fact that Taylor had not been called as a witness for the prosecution, and declared that Mr. Wilde's intimacies were absolutely irreconcilable with his claims to be an exponent of culture. Mr. Carson further contended that Mr. Wilde's literature alone justified the Marquis of Queensberry in the course he had taken. His witnesses, including Wood, the alleged chief blackmailer, would, Mr. Carson affirmed, prove his case up to the hilt.

The court then adjourned.

LONDON, April 5.

On the resumption of the case this morning Mr. Wilde's counsel withdrew from the case.

The jury brought in a verdict of "Not guilty," and stated that the charges made by the Marquis of Queensberry were made for the public benefit.

It is now expected that Mr. Oscar Wilde will be arrested.

Oscar O'Flaherty Wilde is known in London as the best-known apostle of the asthetic movement. He set conventionality at defiance, and in his lectures expressed some revolutionary sentiments with reference to modern costume, from an art point of view.

Some short time ago he charged the Marquis of Queensbery with libelling him.

At the trial, the plaintiff was subjected to a stringent cross examination with the view of showing that "Dorian Grey," and some articles in the magazine Chameleon, with which he is connected, are of an immoral tendency. Wilde insisted they were merely an expression of artistic faculty. His letters to Lord Alfred Douglas were prose poems—extraordinary, perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation. He admitted that he gave one of his blackmailers £21, and lunched with him in a private room afterwards. Mr Wilde explained the effusive language of the letters addressed to Lord Alfred Douglas as the natural expression of an artist attracted by a beautiful personality. The Marqus of Queensbery visited his residence and threatened Wilde, to which the latter responded with—"You are the most infamous brute in London!"

Wilde admitted that he was acquainted with young men named Taylor, Parker and Atkins, and that Taylor had on separate occasions introduced him to five young men, to whom witness had given money, but he was not aware that any of them were gentlemen's servants. He derived pleasure from being in the company of bright, happy people. Witness had frequently been in Taylor's room. He was aware that both Taylor and Parker had once been arrested, but he had continued their friendship. Once he took Atkins and a youth named Price to Paris, and introduced them to another youth named Ernest Scarp, who later became acquainted with Lord Alfred Douglas when making a voyage to Australia. Witness had made presents to Scarp and Mabor because he like them.

Letters read in court proved that the Marquis of Queensberry was endeavouring to stop his son visiting Wilde. The son wired back to his father that Wilde was a funny little man. The Marquis subsequently called at Wilde's house, when a furious scene took place. The latter denied the charges levelled against him, and showed the Marquis the door.

Wilde said he wrote to the Marquis complaining that his wife encouraged his son's visits. Wilde's friendship with Lady Queensberry and her sons remained unbroken. Certain letters from the youths already named showed that the writers were poverty-stricken, some imploring assistance or employment. He admitted close intimacy with a number of young men, but denied that there was anything improper in it. He paid no regard to social inferiority if his friends were amusing.

Lord Douglas' letters showed he threatened to shoot his father if he attempted to thrash him.

The Marquis' letter referred to an eminent stateman, but the reference was political.

This closed Wilde's case.

Mr Carson, in opening the case for the defence, declared that the plaintiff's protégés were among the most immoral persons in London, and that Wilde's intimacies were absolutely irreconcilable with his claims as an exponent of culture. His literature alone justified charges against him. In conclusion, counsel claimed that defendant's witnesses, amongst whom was Wood, the chief blackmailer, would prove the case to the hilt.

The Marquis of Queensberry wrote to his son saying that he believed he was crazy, and suggesting that he should leave the country.

The charge of libel against the Marquis of Queensberry was finished on Friday, a verdict of not guilty being returned.

The jury considered that the charges made by the Marquis of Queensberry were of public benefit. Wilde's counsel withdrew from the case. Wilde himself left the Court while his counsel was explaining that plaintiff's literature and letters justified the plea of the defence that Wilde posed as an immoral person. He explained that the reason he withdrew from the case was so as to avoid the appalling evidence which would be adduced. The verdict was received with loud cheers. It is expected Wilde will be arrested. No warrant has yet been applied for but counsel for the Marquis of Queensberry has sent the public prosecutor the statements of the witnesses and notes on the evidence in order to prevent a miscarriage of justice.

Oscar Wilde has been arrested.

Oscar Wilde publishes a letter stating that he abandoned the case in order to avoid placing Lord Douglas in the witness-box.

After the warrant had been issued for Wilde's arrest the police detained three essential witnesses.

Lord Douglas and two other men remained in conference with Wilde at the Viaduct Hotel, Holborn, for several hours after the trial, and lunched together in a private room.

Subsequently they drove to a bank, where Wilde withdrew a large sum of money. He was then lost sight of until he was arrested in the evening at a hotel in Sloane street.

Lord Douglas was much distressed when he found he was unable to bail him out.

After the trial the Marquis of Queensberry sent Wilde a message stating that he would shoot him if he took his son abroad.

Taylor has also been arrested, and will be charged in conjunction with Wilde.

The latter's name has been withdrawn from the playbills of London and American theatres.