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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.

Special Dispatch to the CHRONICLE.

LONDON, April 5. -- The career of Oscar Wilde ended to-day in the blackest infamy. All London is saying to-night that it is a pity the miserable creature had not sufficient pluck to blow out his brains before the police seized him and put him behind bolts and bars to await punishment for crimes of which he is already proved guilty.

Those who were his friends until his guilt was established by his own admissions under yesterday's merciless cross-examination, urged him last night to take the shortest road to oblivion, which they declared was the proper sequel to the exposure of his character. The poor fool imagined it still possible to brazen it out, so he persuaded his lawyer, who refused to go on with the case, to bring the trial to a close by withdrawing the charges against Lord Queensberry.

This was done and then the fact was brought home to Wilde that although nominally prosecutor, it was he and not the Marquis of Queensberry who was really on trial. Even the prompt verdict of the jury declaring explicitly that the infamous charge against him was true did not make the strange creature realize his position.

He wrote a note to the evening newspaper declaring that he was unable to prove his innocence, except by putting Lord Alfred Douglas in the witness box, and that he preferred to suffer shame rather than allow the son to testify against the father.

This was simply imbecile, because nothing has been adduced in the trial about the relations between Wilde and Lord Douglas. There is reason to believe the disgraced man was prepared to flee from the country, but the English law for once acted with commendable promptness. Red tape was cut. The Public Prosecutor applied for a warrant within two hours after the dramatic collapse of the case in court, and to-night the man who a few days ago was a pampered exquisite lies on a plank bed in an eight-by-four cell in the Bow-street police station.

The charge against him, for some reason not explained, is not felony, but misdemeanor, and the maximum penalty is two years at hard labor, but the Grand Jury may change the indictment to a more serious offense.

He must remain in jail until the trial takes place in May, for the magistrate is certain to refuse to accept bail.

The London newspapers have printed far more about the matter than has been telegraphed to the American press. The great morning dailies like the Times and Telegraph have given their readers 6000 to 12,000 words daily of the court proceedings.

Many seats which had been purchased at the Haymarket and St. James Theaters, where Wilde's plays, "The Ideal Husband" and "The Importance of Being Earnest," are running, were empty tonight. The audiences were small and there was a smaller proportion of ladies than usual, but no demonstration of any kind.

The Leader published an interview with Lord Douglas, in which the latter says: "Myself and every member of the family except father disbelieve all the charges. We think them simply part of the persecution father has carried on against us ever since I can remember, and that Mr. Wilde and his counsel are to blame for not showing, as they should have done, that that was the fact."

The Chronicle says: It suffices us to know as some return for undamming the public tidal wave that our life is rid forever of a pestiferous poser of decadence which has received its death blow, and the way is cleared for increased wholesomeness in life. We seem for some unhappy purpose to have been shuddering witnesses of a revival of society under the late Roman empire, or against the dark background of the Italian Renaissance.

WILDE ABANDONS THE SUIT. A Verdict of Justification Given for the Marquis.

LONDON, April 5.-The sensational libel suit of Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry came to an abrupt end to-day, and Wilde is now under arrest charged with the crimes of which he was accused by the Marquis.

Before 10 o'clock every available foot of space in the Old Bailey courtroom was filled with spectators armed with newspapers and packages of sandwiches and otherwise ready to spend the day in court in the most comfortable manner possible.

The Marquis entered the court at 10:20 o'clock, looking calm and confident of the result. Promptly at 10:30 o'clock Justice Collins entered and court was opened. Oscar Wilde, however, was absent.

Edward M. Carson, leading counsel for the defense, resumed his speech, which was not concluded yesterday when the court adjourned. Carson said he hoped he had demonstrated that the Marquis was justified in bringing to a climax in the way he did the connection between his son, Lord Alfred Douglas, and Wilde.

Continuing, the counsel said he now approached the more painful duty. It would be his task to call several young men who would tell their own tales, and who would show that the man Taylor, frequently referred to during the proceedings, was Wilde's procurer.

It was no wonder the Marquis of Queensberry protested against the intimacy between his son and Wilde. The wonder was, the counsel said, that this man had been so long tolerated in London society.

Wilde's conduct regarding the boy at Worthing, continued Carson, was an instance of his disgusting audacity. He picked up this boy on the pier and introduced him to his family, and dressed him up as a gentleman.

Carson was continuing his terrible denunciation of Oscar Wilde when Sir Edward Clarke and other of the witnesses for the plaintiff left the courtroom for consultation. They soon returned and Sir Edward asked for permission to interrupt the proceedings.

Then, amid the most oppressive silence, the leading counsel for the plaintiff announced the withdrawal of the case on behalf of his client.

The chief concern of Sir Edward Clarke seemed to be his desire to justify himself in undertaking the case for Wilde. He said that after consulting with his client,-who, by the way, was in the room to which his counsel had adjourned, but left the building hurriedly when Sir Edward Clarke began his statement-he asked to withdraw the suit and on Wilde's behalf counsel said he did this more especially in view of the extracts which had been read in court from Wilde's novel of modern social life, "Dorian Gray," and from a magazine, The Chameleon.

Carson here interposed, saying if there was to be a verdict of not guilty it also involved a verdict of justification, as the case of his client must succeed upon that plea.

Justice Collins said that as to the jury putting any limit on their verdict, the words on the Marquis' card were either justified or not justified. If the jury consented to the course suggested and were to return a verdict of not guilty, they were also to find that the justification set up by the defense was true in substance and in fact, and that the words complained of were published for the public benefit.

The jurymen consulted together for a moment, and then without leaving their seats returned a verdict as directed by Judge Collins, namely, that the Marquis of Queensberry was not guilty of libel and that the words he had written on a card, which formed the basis of the suit, were published in the interests of the public.

The verdict was received with loud applause in court, and Justice Collins made no attempt to check it. The Marquis of Queensberry was then discharged from custody and left the court triumphant, smiling and surrounded by his friends.

The defense, it appears, had a long array of witnesses on hand, including waiters employed in the hotels of Paris, London and other cities which Wilde had visited.

Later in the day application was made at the Bow-street Police Court for a warrant for the arrest of Wilde, and the magistrate granted the application. He was subsequently arrested at the Cadogan Hotel.

The officials of the Treasury Department, under which branch of the Government public prosecutions are directed, visited the Bow-street Police Court several times this afternoon previous to granting the warrant for Oscar Wilde's arrest. Upon the last visit they were accompanied by a detective and two boys.

After a short consultation between the Treasury officials and Sir John Bridge, during which several questions were addressed to the detective and the boys, the magistrate issued the warrant.

Wilde spent several hours in company with Lord Alfred Douglas at the Hotel Holborn. His brougham was waiting in front of the hotel. Early in the afternoon Lord Alfred drove to the bank, cashed a check and returned to the hotel. Soon after both Wilde and Alfred drove away.

Wilde, after his arrest at the Cadogan Hotel, was taken in a cab by two detectives to Scotland Yard.

Wilde wore an ulster and a silk hat. He was very pale, but cool, when he arrived at Scotland Yard.

Wilde had merely called at the Cadogan Hotel with a couple of friends, when at 6:30 o'clock a detective walked into the office and asked for him. He was shown the room where Wilde was and put him under arrest.

Wilde said nothing, but immediately went with the detective, who took him to Scotland Yard, where the warrant was read. The prisoner remained silent throughout the proceedings. He was then taken to Bow street. He was not arraigned in the Police Court, but was placed on the docket in the police station. There he stood with his hands in his pockets while the charge against him was being taken.

A police inspector then read the charge aloud and asked Wilde if he had anything to say, adding the usual warning that anything he said might be used against him. The prisoner remained silent and apparently indifferent. He was then searched, after which he was locked in a cell.

Shortly after he had been locked up one of his friends appeared in a carriage at the station with a Gladstone bag containing a change of clothing and other necessaries, but the police refused to permit him to leave it.

Later Lord Alfred Douglas went to the police station and inquired whether Wilde could be admitted to bail. The police inspector explained that Wilde had been arrested for a criminal offense which did not allow of bail being accepted until he had been arraigned in court. Lord Alfred was greatly distressed by this information.

He was told by the inspector that Wilde had a blanket and all requisites in his cell to be as comfortable as the regulations allowed. The prisoner would be allowed to receive food from a hotel until to-morrow, when he will be arraigned on the charge made against him.

The name of Oscar Wilde has been withdrawn from the play bills and advertisements of the two theaters, the St. James and the Haymarket, where two of his plays are running.

Oscar Wilde has written a letter to the newspapers, in which he says: "It was not possible to prove my case without putting Lord Alfred Douglas in the witness-box against his father. Lord Alfred was extremely anxious to go into the box, but I would not allow it. Rather than put him in such a painful position I determined to retire from the case-to bear upon my own shoulders whatever shame and ignominy might result from not prosecuting the Marquis of Queensberry."

TREE REFUSES TO TALK. He Deplores That His Name Was Mentioned at All.

BALTIMORE, April 5.-Beerbohm Tree, the English actor, whose name was mentioned in yesterday's proceedings of the Queensberry-Wilde case at London, refused to comment upon the subject further than to say that his only connection with the case was the handing over to Wilde of a communication which he had received concerning the latter.

Mr. Tree expressed keen regret that his name had been linked, even remotely, with so scandalous an affair.