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Mr. C. F. Gill Makes a Relentless Opening Speech, and Some Painful Evidence is Given.

There was a big crowd outside Bow-st. half an hour before the doors opened, but most of them had to be content without admittance. Mr. Gill drove up shortly before the doors were opened, and his presence was an indication that the prosecution will not be a half-hearted one. There was a great muster of Pressmen in the lower court, but after waiting half an hour there came the sudden news that the case would be taken in the court upstairs. At once the Pressmen "folded their tents, like the Arabs, and silently stole away -- every man of them--upstairs and along the passage till entrance was gained. The little court was soon so crowded that the ushers began to bring in chairs to accommodate the latest comers. Then after half an hour's wait Mr. Gill, who had met Oscar at Scotland-yard the night before, came into court with Mr. Angus Lewis, the solicitor to the Treasury. In a few minutes the drama was represented by Sir Augustus Harris. Sir John Bridge took his seat and almost immediately Oscar, heavy and flushed,

ENTERED THE DOCK.

He stared round uneasily, and tidgeted incessantly, stroking his face with his brown suède glove. After a whispered inquiry of the constable standing by him, he sat down in the dock and with one arm outstreched along the back rail and the other elbow resting on the end rail took what ease he might.

Mr. Gill explained that the charge at present to be dealt with were those of acts of indecency at the Savoy Hotel in March 1893. In the upper part of the house in Litlle College-st there lived Taylor, a man closely identified with Wilde. Wilde would afterwards be charged with conspiring with Taylor. Parker was a valet out of place, who was in company with his brother, a groom, when in the St. James's Restaurant, they were accosted by Taylor, who

OFFERED THEM DRINK,

took from them their address, and invited them to Little College-st. On a subsequent day Alfred Parker drove with Wilde to the Savoy Hotel--somewhere about the 13 or 14 March. Mr. Gill traced the loathsome story which the prosecution desire to prove. Dealing with the evidence of identification, Mr. Gill remarked that he was a man whom no one who once saw him would be likely to forget--as satisfaction that the artist in Oscar will regard as supporting his claim to be "unique." Parker was leading a respectable life now, and it was painful that his story must be given. It would be corroborated in every step by his brother and by other witnesses, and as the prisoner was an available witness he would have an opportunity, if he chose, of repassing the evidence that he had given elsewhere. Mr. Gill relentless story went on to deal with the other case in which it would be shown that the prisoner had the audacity to commit these offences at the Savoy Hotel, at a hotel in Picadilly, and even at his own house in Tite-st., when all his family were away.

Charles Parker, aged 19, whose present address and occupation are not yet disclosed, told the story of his meeting Taylor at the St. James's Restaurant.

The evidence was interrupted by the news that Alfred

TAYLOR HAD BEEN ARRESTED.

Mr. Gill suggested that the case should be delayed in order that he might be put in the dock with Oscar, and Sir John Bridge accepted.

Then Mr. Humphreys, prisoner's solicitor, asked how long the magistrate thought it probable he would sit to-day.

Sir John Bridge said it was a case that ought to be disposed of as speedily as possible, and he would sit if necessary till four or five o'clock.

When Taylor arrived he came into the dock with a very polite bow to Oscar, which his fellow prisoner returned. Taylor wore a brown cloth overcoat of the latest sporting cut, with a brown velvet collar. He is clean-shaven, both on face and lip, giving him somewhat the appearance of a barrister. He took matter very coolly and a cynical smile hovered round his thin lips all the morning. He stood up in the dock leaning easily on the rail, while Oscar sat, alternately resting his chin and his forehead on his hands clasped in front of him on the rail.

Parker proceeded then with his tale of the rooms at 13, Little College-st. The drawing-room was well furnished--

"SWELLING ROOMS,"

the ex-valet phrased it at first--and he saw no servants. On the night when he first saw Wilde, he and his brother William met Taylor at the St. James's bar and went together to Kettner's, where in a private room, there was a table laid for dinner for four. It was a good dinner--"very good," witness said, with champagne, and it ended with coffee and brandy. Wilde wrote a cheque for the dinner, and then the two drove to the Savoy Hotel. As the witness related the incidents of his stay there Oscar sighed deeply several times. Wilde had rooms in St. James's place to which witness went "very often." They went together to the Crystal Palace, and they occupied one night a box at the Pavilion. After the performance they went to the rooms in St. James's place. Wilde afterwards drove him to Park walk, Chelsea, where witness had one room at No. 50, and having set him down drove home to Tite-st. On one night Wilde drove down to No.50 to see witness, and kept his cab waiting outside. There was a little unpleasantness with the landlady about the visit, and witness left the lodgings and went to Camera-sq. Chelsea. He had called on Wilde at the Albemarle Hotel, Piccadilly, being taken there by someone whose name was not mentioned. Apparently it was not Taylor. The

LAST TIME HE SAW WILDE

before this case was eight or nine months ago, when in Trafalgar-sq. Wilde was in a hansom. He stopped, shook hands and said witness was "looking as pretty as ever," and then drove off. Taylor, after he left Little College-st went to live at 3, Chapel-st, Chelsea, which was close to Park-walk. Witness had visited him there with his brother last year. Witness was with Taylor arrested in the Fitzroy-sq. case last year, and since that incident witness had given up all such companionship. He had seen Atkins at Taylor's rooms. Witness was in the country when he was found by Mr. Chas. Russell and subpoenaed.

Mr. Travers Humphreys, who had arrived since the opening and was now instructed by Mr. Wilde's solicitor, stated that he was taken by surprise by the evidence, and gained the magistrate's permission to,

POSTPONE HIS CROSS-EXAMINATION.

Taylor, who was undefended, also reserved any questions.

Sir John Bridge adjourned the court for half-an-hour, and returned precisely an hour afterwards, looking as punctual as a policeman.

William Parker, brother of the last witness, a groom, gave evidence of the meeting with Taylor.

The case is proceeding.

Sir Edward Clarke.

The Exchange Telegraph Company states on reliable authority that Sir E. Clarke may possibly defend Mr. O. Wilde.

How He Was Arrested.

The arrest-announced last night in a late edition of The Star--was quietly accomplished at the Cadogan Hotel, Sloane-st, whither private detectives employed by Lord Queensberry had tracked him after the sensational end of the Old Bailey trial.

There were happenings of some importance before the arrest. Friends drew money from Oscar's bank, and Inspector Riches and Sergeant Allen arrived from Scotland-yard. Ten minutes afterwards they reappeared; this time Oscar Wilde was their prisoner. No one in the street know what had happened. Oscar had a cigarette between his lips, and he puffed at it nervously as he stopped into a four-wheeler that had been called to the door. He looked neither to the right nor to the left. His face had

A HAGGARD LOOK,

and there was a dull red flush on his cheeks. Quickly the cab drove off, and a good pace was kept up till Scotland-yard was reached.

It is said that when Inspector Riches inquired at the hotel for Mr. Wilde he was told he was not there. This was to ward off what was thought to be an unnecessary intrusion. The inspector, however, insisted. He explained that he was a police officer, and that it would be dangerous to trifle with him. When the inspector stated the object of his visit Mr. Wilde made no reply. When the police and their prisoner alighted at New Scotland-yard Mr. Wilde made an earnest attempt to pay the cabman, but Inspector Riches would not permit it. Nevertheless he pressed some silver into the driver's hand. Mr. Wilde, whose bearing towards the officers of the law was thoroughly respectful asked what the dates in the charge were, and these dates were given. Mr. Wilde made no reply.

A Night in the Cell.

In the dock at Bow-st, where Inspector Digby took the charge, he stood with his hands in his trousers pockets, and leaned with an air of assumed indifference, but it was easy to see that Wilde who had complained of being unnerved by the stinging questions of the relentless Irish Q. C., was now

MORE UNNERVED THAN EVER

by the gravity of the position in which he found himself. One of the friends who was with Wilde at the time of the arrest drove up to Bow-st. shortly after Oscar had been taken to the cells, and wished to leave a portmanteau for him with a change of clothing. This being, in the discretion of the police, an irregular proceeding was not permitted. Soon after Lord Alfred Douglas arrived with an offer of bail. This was refused, much to his astonishment, though he was allowed to have an interview with his friend. He was much distressed at being unable to provide such comfort as he desired Oscar to have in the cells, and also at being unable to obtain his release for the night.

Lord Queensberry's Threat.

The Marquis of Queensberry wishes to correct the statement that has been published with regard to his message to Oscar Wilde. Some of the morning papers stated to-day (that as soon as the trial ended Lord Queensberry sent the following message to Mr. Wilde. -- "If the country allows you to leave, all the better for the country, but if you take my son with you I will follow you wherever you go, and shoot you. "This statement is not correct. The message was sent some days ago, and not after the trial ended. Lord Queensberry did not stay he would shoot Mr. Wilde. What he said was that "If he persuaded his misguided son to go with him he would feel quite satisfied in following him (Wilde) and shooting him, did he feel inclined to do so, and was he worth the trouble."

About "The Chameleon,"

Messrs. Ward, Perks, and M'Kay have written the following letter to the Press:

"On behalf of Messrs. Gay and Bird, the publishers of the first and only number of this publication, we ask you to be good enough to allow us to say through your columns that our clients of their own act stopped the sale directly they were aware of the contents of the magazine. Such sale was not stopped at the request of a contributor or anyone else. They were requested to renew the sale, and refused. Had the trial proceeded we should, at the proper time, have tendered our clients to give the above facts in evidence."

The Family Feud.

"You may say from me myself," said Lord Douglas of Hawick to an interview yesterday afternoon, "that I and every member of our family, excepting my father, disbelieve absolutely and entirely the allegations of the defence. It is in my opinion, simply a part of the persecution which my father has carried on against us ever since I can remember. I think Mr. Wilde and his counsel to blame for not showing as they could have done, that was the fact."

Oscar's Plays Still Run.

Oscar's plays were produced last night as usual at the Haymarket and the St. James's Theatre, and at neither place was there any hostile demonstration. At the latter theatre, however, it was noticed that except in those portions of the building reserved and prepaid the audience was much similar than usual. In one or two places slightly discordant remarks were made especially when reference was made to the town of Worthing, but these chiefly came from the gallery and were of a trifting character.

The management of the New York Lyceum Theatre where "An Ideal Husband," is now running, have decided to remove the author's name from the bills and programs. Miss Rose Coghlan, who has been playing "A Woman of No Importance," in the Western State has received to omit the play from her répertoire.

London, Friday.

The hearing of the action brought by Mr Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry was resumed to-day at the Central Criminal Court.

Mr Carson continued his address for the defence. He remarked with much emphasis that it was a wonder the man Wilde had been tolerated in London society so long.

Mr Carson was continuing his argument, when Sir E Clarke and Mr Mathews retired from the court for a moment.

Wilde had up to this point been absent.

Sir E Clarke on returning whispered to Mr Carson, who resumed his seat.

Sir E Clarke then, addressing the Court, said he had to make a statement under the gravest responsibility. Mr Carson, by saying yesterday that he hoped he had said enough regarding Mr Wilde's letters and literature to influence the jury, relieved him from the necessity of dealing in detail into the other issues. Those representing Mr Wilde had therefore before them a terrible anxiety, and could not conceal from themselves what the judgment of the jury might be, and that the jury might say Lord Queensberry was justified in using the words he had done. The position he (Sir Edward) stood in was that without expecting to obtain a verdict he would be going on from day to day investigating circumstances of a most appalling character. Under those circumstances he hoped his lordship would think he was taking the right course. After consulting with Mr Wilde in reference to the letters and literature he felt that he could not resist a verdict of not guilty in regard to the words used. He therefore asked on behalf of Mr Wilde to withdraw from the prosecution and submit to a verdict of "not guilty" in respect to that part of the particulars connected with the publication of "Dorian Gray" and the "Chameleon."

Sir Edward Clark's statement produced a profound sensation in court.

Mr Carson said the verdict of "not guilty" involved a verdict also of justification.

Justice Collins said that if the jury found a verdict of not guilty they would also find that the justification set up was true in substance and in fact, and that the statement was published for the public benefit.

The jury, after a moment's consideration, returned a verdict of "not guilty" against the Marquis of Queensberry, the foreman adding that what he had written was published for the public benefit.

The Judge thereupon ordered the Marquis of Queensberry's discharge from custody, and certified for costs.

The Marquis, on descending from the dock, was heartily congratulated by his friends, and the court soon rapidly cleared.

London, Friday Evening.

The Press Association on enquiring of Lord Queensberry's solicitors (Messrs Russell and Day) is informed that it is not his lordship's intention to take the initiative in any criminal prosecution of Oscar Wilde, but after the finding of the jury this morning in the libel action the whole of the documents with proofs of the evidence upon which the defence had intended to rely were forwarded to the Public Prosecutor, the Hon Hamilton Cuffe.

As was surmised Wilde was in the precincts of the Old Bailey when the speech for the defence of Lord Queensberry was resumed. It was for the purpose of holding a conference with Wilde that his leading counsel left the Court. At the close of the consultation in one of the waiting rooms Wilde bailed a hansom and drove away, leaving Sir E Clarke to formally withdraw from the prosecution.

The letter written by Mr Russell and accompanying documents is as follows—"In order that there may be no miscarriage of justice, I think it my duty at once to send you a copy of all our witnesses' statements together with the copy of the shorthand notes of the trial."

Mr Angus Lewis of the Treasury, who was accompanied by Detective-Inspector Brockwell, attended at Bow street this afternoon and said he would like some private conversation with Sir John Bridge. The magistrate granted the request, and it is understood that Mr Lewis intimated that an application might be made during the day with reference to an important case which is at present engaging much public attention.

The London Evening News states that it has received four letters from Mr Oscar Wilde, written on the notepaper of a Holborn Hotel."TO THE EDITOR."It would be impossible for me to prove my case without putting Lord Alfred Douglas in the witness box against his father. Lord Alfred Douglas was extremely anxious to go into the box, but I would not let him do so. Rather than put him in so painful a position I determined to retire from the case, and to bear on my own shoulders whatever ignominy and shame might result from my prosecuting Lord Queensberry."

London, Friday Night.

The Press Association says:—Mr Oscar Wilde was arrested between six and seven o'clock this evening, and conveyed to Bow street police station, where he arrived at 10 past eight. The arrest was made by Inspector Richards at half past six at Cadogan Hotel, Sloane street, Chelsea, where Mr. Wilde, it appears, drove after leaving Holborn Viaduct Hotel. Mr. Wilde's visit to the Hotel was of a casual character, he being accompanied by two gentlemen. Throughout the day the accused had been closely followed by two officers, and when Inspector Richards entered the hotel and asked for Mr Wilde it was stated that he was not staying there. This was virtually correct, but when the inspector insisted that he was in the establishment and explained the circumstances he was conducted to a room in the establishment where Mr Wilde was engaged with his two friends. The inspector informed him that he was a police officer and that he would arrest him, a warrant being out for his arrest. Mr Wilde made no reply. Mr. Wilde, in custody of the two officers, was at once conducted to a cab which conveyed the party Scotland Yard, where Inspector Brockwell was waiting with a warrant for Mr Wilde's arrest. The formality of reading the warrant to the accused and the administration of the statutory caution having been gone through, Mr Wilde hazarded no remark. The trio, Mr Wilde, Inspector Richards, and Inspector Brockwell, then drove to Bow street, where they arrived at ten minutes past eight o'clock in a four wheeled cab. The accused was the first to alight from the vehicle and walked direct into the station, followed by the detectives. He was attired in a long, black, frock coat, dark trousers and silk hat. His demeanour was that of a gentleman, self-confident of his own innocence of a charge alleged against him. He was at once placed in the prisoners' dock in the charge room, and while the charge was being taken he stood with his hands in his pocket. Inspector Digby, who took the charge, read it to the prisoner, and warned him that anything he might say could be used in evidence against him. Mr Wilde maintained his reticence and indifferent air. Having been searched, Mr Wilde was removed to the cells. Shortly after Mr Wilde's arrival at Bow street a Mr Rosse, a friend of the prisoner, drove up to the station with a small Gladstone bag containing a change of clothes and other necessaries for Mr Wilde, but, after a short interview with the inspector on duty, Mr Rosse returned to his cab with the bag, having been refused permission to leave it. Later Lord Alfred Douglas visited Bow street to inquire as to the possibility of accused being bailed out, but it was explained that the prisoner was arrested on a warrant for alleged criminal offences which admitted of no bail until prisoner had appeared before the magistrate. Lord Douglas appeared much distressed when he was informed that on no consideration could the authorities entertain his application. He was respectfully informed that the prisoner had a cell to himself, and had been supplied with a blanket and other requisites to make him as comfortable as police regulations would allow. It will be Mr Wilde's privilege to receive food sent him from a neighbouring hotel if he so desires pending his transferrence from the cell in the police station to the cells of the adjoining police court at ten o'clock to-morrow morning. Sir John Bridge, who signed the warrant for his arrest, will investigate the charge against Mr Wilde, which involves a penal offence.

The Central News says—After conferring briefly with his counsel, Sir Edward Clarke, at the Central Criminal Court this morning, Wilde proceeded in company with Lord A Douglas and two other gentlemen, one of whom was a lawyer, to the Holborn Viaduct Hotel, where Wilde had slept on the previous night on account of its convenient proximity to the court. The party remained in earnest conference in a private room until one o'clock, when they partook of luncheon, at which much wine was drunk. At a quarter past two the four men drove off in Wilde's brougham, which had been waiting outside the hotel for a considerable time. Their destination was a bank in St James's, where a large sum of money was drawn out on a cheque payable to "self."

The Central News says—Lord Queensberry states that as soon as the trial ended he sent this message to Wilde—"If the country allows you to leave, all the better for the country; but if you take my son with you I will follow you wherever you go and shoot you."

Both Mr Oscar Wilde's plays, "The Ideal Husband" and "The Importance of Being Earnest," were produced to-night as usual at the Haymarket and at the St James Theatre, and at neither place was there any hostile demonstration. At the latter theatre, however, it was noticed that except in those portions of the buildings reserved and prepaid, the audience was smaller than usual. In one or two places slightly discordant remarks were made, especially when reference was made to the town of Worthing, but these chiefly came from the gallery and were of a trifling character.