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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.

London, April 5.—In the cross-examination, Oscar Wilde admitted that he was acquainted with men named Taylor, Parker, and Atkins. Taylor had introduced him to five young men on separate occasions, to whom witness had given money, but he was not aware if any of them were gentlemen's servants. He said he derived pleasure from being in the company of bright happy people. Witness had frequently been in Taylor's room, and was aware that both Taylor and Parker had once been arrested, but continued their friendships. Once he took Atkins and a youth named Price to Paris, and introduced them to another youth named Ernest Scarpe, who became acquainted with Lord Douglas. When making a voyage to Australia, Oscar Wilde said he had made presents to Scarpe and Mabor because he liked them.

A letter was read in court which proved that the Marquis of Queensberry was endeavoring 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, where a furious scene took place. The latter denied the charges levelled against him, and showed the Marquis the door. Witness wrote to the Marquis complaining that his wife encouraged his son's visit to Wilde's. The friendship with Lady Queensberry and sons remained unbroken. Certain letters from the youths already named showed that the writers were endeavouring to get some employment.

Mr Oscar Wilde explained the effusive language of the letters addressed to Lord Douglas as the natural expression of an artist attracted by a beautiful personality. The Marquis of Queensberry visited his residence and threatened Wilde, to which the latter responded with—"You are the most infamous brute in London!"

Mr Oscar Wilde admitted close intimacy with a number of young men, but denied anything improper in it. He paid no regard to social inferiority if his friends were amusing. Lord Douglas letters showed that he threatened to shoot his father if he attempted to thrash him.

The Marquis' letter referred to an eminent statesman, but the reference was political. The case for the prosecution is closed.

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

The libel case against the Marquis of Queensberry was finished to-day, a verdict of not guilty being returned. The jury considered that the charges made by the Marquis of Queensberry of public benefit.

Oscar Wilde's counsel withdrew from the case, and Wilde himself left the Court while his counsel was explaining that the plaintiff's literature and letters justified the plea of 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 advanced.

The verdict was received with loud cheers.

It is expected that Wilde will be arrested.

No warrant has yet been applied for, but the counsel for the Marquis of Queensberry has sent to the Public Prosecutor a statement of witnesses and notes on the evidence in order to prevent a miscarriage of justice.

LATEST.—Oscar Wilde has been arrested.