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The hearing of the charge against the Marquess of Queensberry of criminally libelling Mr. Oscar Wilde was resumed yesterday morning at the Central Criminal Court, before Mr. Justice Henn Collins. The defence was a justification of the libel.— The counsel for the prosecution were Sir E. Clarke, Q.C., Mr. C. Mathews, and Mr. Travers Humphreys. Mr. Carson, Q.C., Mr. C. F. Gill, Q.C, and Mr. A. Gill appeared for Lord Queensberry ; while Mr. Besley, Q.C., and Mr. Monckton watched the case for Lord Douglas of Hawick, the eldest son of the Marquess.

The public galleries were again crowded, the greatest interest being shown in the proceedings. The Judge took his seat at half-past ten. Mr. Oscar VVilde was not present when Mr. Carson rose to resume his speech for the defence.

Mr. Carson said that at the adjournment yesterday he had dealt as fully as he intended to deal with the question of Wilde's connection with the literature that had been produced in this case, and also with the two letters that had been read, and he almost hoped that he had sufficiently demonstrated upon these matters, which were not really in dispute, that Lord Queensberry was absolutely justified in bringing to a climax, in the way that he did, the question of the connection between Mr. Oscar Wilde and his son. He had, unfortunately, a more powerful part of the case now to approach. It would be his painful duty to bring before the Jury those young men, one after another, to tell their tale. It was, of course, even for an advocate, a distasteful task ; but let those who were inclined to condemn these men for allowing themselves to be dominated, misled, and corrupted by Oscar Wilde remember the relative position of the two parties, and that they were men more sinned against than sinning. He was not going in great detail to criticise the evidence of Wilde with regard to the several transactions as to which he cross-examined him. There was a general observation applicable to all the cases There was a startling similarity between each of them, on Wilde's own admission, which must lead the Jury to draw the most painful conclusions. There was the fact that in not one of those cases were the parties upon an equality with Wilde in anyway. They were not educated parties such as he would naturally associate with, they were not his equal in years, and there was a curious similiarity between the ages of each of them. Mr. Wilde said that there was something beautiful and charming about youth that led him to adopt the course he did. but was he unable to find more suitable companions who were at the same time young among the youths of his own class ? The thing was absurd. His excuse in the box was only a travesty of what was the reality of the matter. Who were these younp men ? They were out of employment, and of their antecedents Wilde professed to know nothing. All of them were from 18 to 20 years of age, or thereabouts, and in the manner of their introduction to Wilde and his subsequent treatment of them all were in the same category, leading to the same conclusion, that there was something unnatural and what might not ordinarily be expected in the relations between them. Parker was a gentleman's servant out of employment. He and his brother were in a restaurant in Piccadilly and were met by Taylor, and when a day or two later Wilde gave Taylor a dinner on his birthday, telling him to bring any friends he liked, what an idea he must have had of Wilde's taste when he brought a groom and a valet ! If that one fact was true — and the main features had been admitted by Wilde — why did Taylor speak to those young men at all, and why did he bring them to dine with Wilde ? There could be no explanation of these matters but the one that Tavlor was the procureur for Wilde. They would hear from Parker, when he came to tell his unfortunate story, that he was poor, out of place, and fell a victim to Wilde. He would tell them that on the first evening they met Wilde addressed him — the valet — as Charlie, and that he addressed this distinguished dramatist, whose name was being spoken everywhere in London as the author of a most successful play, as Oscar. He did not wish to say anything about Wilde's theories of putting an end to social distinctions. It might be a very noble and generous instinct in some people to wish to level down all social barriers ; but one thing that was plain in this case was that Wilde's conduct was not regulated by any very generous instincts towards these young men. If he wanted to assist Parker was it of benefit for a man in Wilde's position in society and literature to take him to a magnificent dinner and prime him with the best champagne ? All the ridiculous excuses of Wiide would not bear a moment's examination. Wilde pretended that the whole of these dinners and lunches were mere generous actions on his part. He gave no explanation of why he had that suite of rooms at the Savoy Hotel. It was a large hotel, and Wilde had no difficulty in taking Parker into his rooms, where he treated him with whiskies and sodas, and some of that iced champagne which his doctor forbade Wilde to have. There had been no open scandal at the Savoy Hotel ; but a man could not live that kind of life without gossip going abroad and reports being circulated in the circles in which he mixed. After they heard the evidence from the Savoy Hotel they would wonder, not that the gossip reached Lord Queensberry's ears, but that the man Wilde had been tolerated for years in Society as he had. He referred to the youth Parker, who was coming there with the greatest reluctance, and was now earning for himself a good character in the Country, and Wilde's dealings with the boy Conway.

Mr. Carson was proceeding when Sir E. Clarke spoke to him, and they consulted for a moment.

Sir Edward Clarke then said :— Will your Lordship allow me to interpose and make a statement, which is, of course, made under a feeling of very grave respon-sibility. My learned friend Mr. Carson yesterday addressed the Jury upon the question of the literature involved in this case, and upon the inferences to be drawn from admissions made with regard to the letters read yesterday. My learned friend began his address by saying that he hoped the need of having the Jury deal with those details could be avoided. I think it must have been present to your mind that the representatives of Mr. Oscar Wilde have beFore them in this case a very terrible anxiety. They could not conceal from themselves the inferences which might be drawn might not improperly induce the Jury to say that when Lord Queensberry used the words "posing as" he was using words which there was a sufficient justification for a father to use. That in our view might not he an improbable result of that part of the case. I and my learned friends who are with me had to look forward to this — that a verdict given in favour of the Defendant upon that point might be regarded as a finding with regard to all parts of the case. The position we stood in was that, in view of the finding of a verdict, we would be going through long evidence dealing with matters of a most appalling character. In these circumstances, I hope your Lordship will think I am taking the right course or action. Having regard to what has been already said in respect of the literature and of the letters, I feel that I could not resist a verdict of Not Guilty in this case — not guilty, that is, having reference to the words "posing as." In these circumstances, I hope your Lordship will think that I am not going beyond the bounds of duty, and that I am doing something to save and to prevent what would be a most terrible task, however it might close, if I now interpose to say that, on behalf of Mr. Oscar Wilde, I would ask to withdraw from the prosecution. If your Lordship does not think that at this time of the case, and after what has taken place, I ought to be allowed to do this, I am prepared to submit to a verdict of Not Guilty, having reference — if to any part of the particulars — to that part of the particulars which is connected with the publication of "Dorian Gray" and with the publication of the Chameleon. I trust, my Lord, that that may make an end of the case.

Mr. Carson. — I do not know that I have any right whatever to interfere in any way in the application my learned friend has made. I can only say, as far as Lord Queensberry is concerned, that if there is a plea of Not Guilty — a plea which involves that he has succeeded in his complete justification — I am quite satisfied. Of course, my learned friend would admit that we must succeed on that plea in the manner in which he has said, and, that being so, it will rest entirely with your Lordship as to whether the course suggested by my learned friend ought to be taken.

Mr. Justice Collins. — Inasmuch as the Prosecutor in this case is prepared to acquiesce in a verdict of Not Guilty against the Accused, I do not think it is any part of the function of the Judge or of the Jury to insist on going into details which can have no bearing on the matter which is already concluded by the assent of the Prosecutor. But as for putting any limitation on the verdict, the justification is one which is a justification of the charge of "posing as." If that is justified it is justified, and if it is not it is not, and the verdict of the Jury upon it must be Guilty or Not Guilty. As I understand, the Prosecutor will assent to a verdict of Not Guilty. There can be no terms. There can be no limitation of the verdict, which must be Guilty or Not Guilty. I understand the Prosecutor to assent to a verdict of Not Guilty, and of course the Jury will return a verdict of Not Guilty.

Mr. Carson.— The verdict will be that complete justification is proved, and that the publication was for the public benefit.

The Judge.— The verdict will be Not Guilty, but it is arrived at by that process of course. I shall have to tell the Jury that the justification was proved, and that it was true in substance and in fact that the Prosecutor had "posed as." And I shall also have to tell them that they will have to find that the statement was published in such a manner as to be for the public benefit. If they find on these two points the verdict will be Not Guilty.

A few seconds later the Judge, turning to the Jury, said : Your verdict will be Not Guilty ; but there are other matters which have to be determined with reference to the specific finding of complete justification, and as I told you, that involves that the statement is true in fact and that the publication is for the public benefit. These are the facts on which you will have to find, and if you find them in favour of the Defendant, your verdict will be Not Guilty. You will have to say whether you find complete justification has been proved or not.

The Jury without leaving the box signified in a few minutes that they had arrived at their decision.

The Clerk of Arraigns.— Do you find the complete justification proved or not ?

The Foreman of the Jury.— Yes.

The Clerk.— Do you find a verdict of Not Guilty ?

The Foreman. — Yes.

The Clerk.— And that is the verdict of you all ?

The Foreman. — Yes ; and we also find that the pub- lication was for the public benefit.

The verdict was received with applause, of which the Judge took no notice and becoming known in the streets, there was a demonstration of approval on the part of a large crowd.

Mr. Carson.— The costs will follow. May I ask that Lord Queensberry should be discharged.

The Judge. — Certainly.

Lord Queensberry then left the dock and came into the well of the Court, where he received the congratulations of his friends.

—

Mr. Oscar Wilde, who had been in consultation with his counsel in the vicinity of the Court, left the Old Bailey a few minutes before Sir Edward Clarke made his withdrawal. He drove in his carriage, drawn by a pair of horses, to the Holborn Viaduct Hotel, where he has lunched daily during the trial. Here Mr. Wilde, Lord Alfred Douglas, Mr. Wilde's solicitor, and one or two other gentlemen remained for some time in consultation. When they left he drove in a brougham to the West-end.

After the close of the case, the following letter was addressed by Mr. Charles Russell, the Marquess of Queensberry's solicitor, to the Public Prosecutor : —

"37, Norfolk-street. Strand. " Dear Sir,— 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 a copy of the shorthand notes of trial. — Yours faithfully, "Charles Russell."

Immediately after the House of Commons met yesterday, a representative of the Public Prosecutor had an interview with the Home Secretary, the Attorney General, and the Solicitor General in regard to the case of Mr. Oscar Wilde. It was at once agreed that a warrant should be applied for, and Mr. Asquith gave instructions that, wherever Wilde might be found, he should be stopped.

There was a great deal of excitement at the Bow- street Police-court yesterday afternoon in consequence of a report that a warrant would be applied for for the arrest of Mr. Oscar Wilde. Sir John Bridge was the presiding Magistrate, having taken the place of Mr. Vaughan early in the morning. When Sir John Bridge took his seat after the luncheon interval, Mr. Angus Lewis, of the Treasury, intimated that he would like to speak to him privately. Sir John assented, and the Magistrate and Barrister carried on a whispered conversation for a few minutes. What actually took place did not transpire, but it was understood that Mr. Lewis intimated to Sir John Bridge that he might have an important application to make to him later in the afternoon. Detective Inspector Brockwell was also in attendance. With him were two youths whose names figured prominently in the Wilde v. Queensberry case. Sir John Bridge did not return to the Court after disposing of the summonses, but it is understood that he saw Mr. Angus Lewis, Mr. C. F. Gill, and Mr. Charles Russell in his private room, and afterwards granted a warrant for the arrest of Mr. Oscar Wilde.

The arrest was made by Inspector Richards last evening at the Cadogan Hotel, Sloane-street, to which place Mr. Wilde drove after leaving the Holborn Viaduct Hotel. The Inspector, who had with him Sergeant Allen, made the arrest about half-past six o'clock. On the senior officer asking for Mr. Wilde he was told he was not there ; but on the Inspector insisting, he was conducted to his room. Mr. Wilde had with him two friends, and the Inspector stated the object of his visit. Mr. Wilde made no reply, and the party at once drove to Scotland-yard to meet Inspector Brockwell, who had the warrant for the arrest. The warrant was read to the Prisoner, who made no reply, and after some delay he was taken to Bow-street Police-station, arriving there at 8.10 in a four-wheel cab. Mr. Wilde, who was the first to alight, walked straight into the station followed by the detectives. He was dressed in a long black frock coat, dark trousers, and silk hat, and did not appear in the slightest way to be affected by the circumstances of his position. He was at once placed in the dock, and stood there with his hands in his pockets while the charge was taken down by Inspector Digby. When the charge had been entered Mr. Wilde was escorted to the cells.

Shortly after the Prisoner's arrival at Bow-street a friend of Mr. Wilde, drove up 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, that gentleman returned to his cab with the bag, not being allowed to leave it. Later on Lord Alfred Douglas visited Bow-street to see if he could bail out Mr. Wilde, and appeared much distressed when he was informed that on no consideration could his application be entertained. He then offered to procure extra comforts in the shape of bedding for his friend, but this offer was also refused by the officer on duty. Mr. Wilde occupies an ordinary cell, but will be allowed to supply himself with any extra food he thinks fit. He will be brought up this morning at tea o'clock at Bow-street Police-station.

The Marquess of Queensberry states that as soon as the trial ended yesterday, he sent this message to Mr. Oscar 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."

London, April 5. - The case of Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry for libel was brought to a close this morning in a verdict in favor of the defendant. The jury found not only that the defendant was not guilty of libel, but in a subsidiary verdict declared that the Marquis of Queensberry's charges were true and had been made for the public good. Mr. Wilde was arrested later in the day.

The Old Bailey courtroom was crowded almost to suffocation this morning when Mr. Carson resumed his speech on behalf of the Marquis of Queensberry. It would be his painful duty, he said, to put up on the witness-stand men who would speak freely of the nature of their dealings with the plaintiff.

Sir Edward Clarke interrupted Mr. Carson, and said he had undertaken a great responsibility in defending Wilde. In regard to the literature which Wilde had published and upon which Mr. Carson had questioned him, the speaker had come to the painful conclusion that it could not be expected that the jury would find a verdict of guilty on the actual words used by the defendant. He had consulted with Wilde in the interium of the adjournment of the court, and in order to save the Court the painful details connected with the rest of the case he was prepared to accept a verdict of the jury in regard to Wilde’s literature.

The Judge interposed and said that if the jury were justified in agreeing upon a verdict on one part of the case, they must return a verdict of guilty or not guilty as regarded the entire case. The jury then rendered a verdict of not guilty, to which Sir Edward Clarke assented, and supplemented their verdict with the declaration that the charges made by the defendant against Wilde, which constituted the libel complained of, were true and that they had been made in public interest.

When the verdict was rendered the Marquis of Queensberry left the dock, amid loud cheers. The Judge granted an order requiring Wilde to pay the costs of the defence. Wilde was not in the courtroom this morning, but was in the building.

The Marquis of Queensberry’s solicitors promptly sent to the Public Prosecutor a copy of the statements of all the witnesses whom the defence had intended to call to the stand, together with a full shorthand report of the trial as far as it had gone. At 3:30 o'clock this afternoon Mr. Lewis, solicitor of the Treasury, obtained at the Bow Street Police Court a warrant against Wilde for immediate execution.

Wilde and a companion drove from the Old Bailey to the Holborn Hotel, where they were joined soon afterward by Lord Alfred Douglas and a companion. The four took luncheon together in a private room, Wilde’s carriage remaining in front of the hotel. After leaving the Holborn Hotel Wilde went to the Westminster Bank, where he drew out the funds to his account. He was constantly shadowed. He returned to the hotel, accompanied only by Lord Alfred Douglas. Remaining a few minutes, they drove to Ely Place and thence to the Cadogan Hotel, where they apparently vanished. The Scotland Yard authorities at once issued descriptions of Wilde and spread them over the city. He was subsequently found by the detectives, who arrested him and lodged him in a cell in the Bow-st. station. Before Wilde was taken to his cell, the charge, indicated by his testimony in court, was read to him. He stood with his hands in his pockets, silent and apparently unconcerned.

Sworn informations have been lodged against several persons mentioned in the trial, the names of some of whom are not made public, and the civil officers are only awaiting the authority of the Treasury Department to make the arrests.

In an interview this afternoon the Marquis of Queensberry said to a representative of the United Press: "I have 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.'"

"The Evening News" has received the following letter from Oscar Wilde, written upon the notepaper of the Holborn Viaduct Hotel: "It would have been impossible for me to have proved my case without putting Lord Alfred Douglas in the witness-box against his father. He was extremely anxious to go into the witness-box, but I would not let him. Rather than put him in so painful a position, I determined to withdraw from the case and bear upon my own shoulders whatever ignominy and shame might result from my persecution of the Marquis of Queensberry."

A United Press reporter this afternoon visited the Haymarket and St. James's theatres, where Oscar Wilde’s plays are running. Mr. Morell, one of the managers of the Haymarket, in reply to the question how the result of the case would affect future business, said he would rather not express an opinion. He would say, however, that Mr. Wilde's name had been taken out of the bills and advertisements of "An Ideal Husband," and from this the public could form its own conclusions.

George Alexander, manager of the St. James's Theatre, where Oscar Wilde's play "The Importance of Being Earnest," is running, said: "When the scandal was first rumored, business here was slightly affected, but it is now normal. Mr. Wilde’s name has been withdrawn from the bills and advertisement of this comedy, which is the most innocent play in the world." Mr. Alexander added that "The Importance of Being Earnest" would be kept on the stage, pending the public verdict. If he should be compelled to withdraw it, 150 persons would be thrown out of work, as he had nothing ready to replace it.

It is reported that the Criterion, to which "An Ideal Husband" was to be transferred from the Haymarket, has declined to put the play on its stage.

The reports previously cabled in regard to Beerbohm Tree's connection with the case are inaccurate. Mr. Carson explained to the Court last evening that Mr. Tree received a copy of a letter written by Wilde to Lord Alfred Douglas, and thereupon sent for Wilde and handed him the copy. Mr. Carson said that Mr. Tree had cabled this information to him, and it tallied perfectly with the account given by Mr. Wilde in the witness-box. Mr. Carson added that he thought Mr. Tree had acted perfectly right in the matter. The Judge said that there was not the smallest ground for any suggestion adverse to Mr. Tree, who had acted with perfect propriety. Sir Edward Clarke agreed with Mr. Carson and the Judge that Mr. Tree could not properly have done otherwise than he did.