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As reported in the Evening Post yesterday, a warrant was issued yesterday for the arrest of Oscar Wilde. He was arrested last evening. At the conclusion of the trial at the Old Bailey yesterday, Oscar Wilde left in a brougham drawn by two brown cobs. He was driven to the Holborn Viaduct Hotel, where he had reserved a large sitting-room. In a few minutes he was joined by Lord Alfred Douglas and Lord Douglas of Hawick, and another gentleman. The four had lunch, finishing shortly before three. After satisfying themselves Wilde and the two Douglases left the hotel, and entering the brougham drove to the offices of Sir George Lewis in Bly Place, where Wilde personally delivered a note. He re-entered the brougham and drove back with his two companions to the Viaduct Hotel. There Lord Alfred Douglas and Lord Douglas of Hawick left the carriage and took up a cab, which the brougham followed. There was a drive into Fleet Street, and thence to St. James's Square, where the cab pulled up at the London and Westminster Bank, and Lord Alfred Douglas cashed a cheque. Wilde, in the brougham, did not stop, but drove straight to the Cadogan Hotel, in Sloan Street. Shortly after his arrival, there entered Lord Alfred Douglas and Lord Douglas of Hawick. Another account says that Wilde went to a bank in St. James's, where a large sum of money was drawn out on a cheque payable to "self."

Later in the day Mr. Oscar Wilde was arrested by Inspector Richards at this hotel in Sloane Street. The inspector, who had with him Sergeant Allen, made the arrest about half-past six o'clock. When the senior officer asked for Mr. Wilde he was told that he was not there, but on the inspector's insisting, he was conducted to his room. In the room were two young men. Wilde was seated by the fireplace in a saddle-bag chair, calmly smoking a cigarette. He raised his inquiring eyes to the intruders. Inspector Richards said, "Mr. Wilde, I believe?" Wilde languidly responded, "Yes! yes!" The floor of the room was strewn with some eight or nine copies of evening papers which had evidently been hastily scanned and then thrown aside. Inspector Richards said, "We are police officers, and hold a warrant for your arrest." Wilde replied, "Oh, really." Inspector Richards added, "I must ask you to accompany me to the police station." " Whither shall I be taken?" inquired Wilde. "To Scotland Yard," replied the inspector, "and thence to Bow Street." "Shall I be able to obtain bail?" plaintively said Wilde. The officer sternly replied, "That is a matter for the magistrate."

With a deep sigh Wilde dropped an evening paper, and raising himself by the aid of the arms of the chair into standing position he remarked with characteristic nonchalance to the officers, "Well, if I must go I will give you the least possible trouble." Wilde then passed over to a couch, picked up his overcoat and was assisted in putting it on by one of the young men present. Carefully he lifted and adjusted his hat. He grasped his suéde gloves in one hand and seized his stick with the other. Then he picked up from the table a copy of "The Yellow Book," which he placed in security under his left arm. Before departing with the police-officers be asked one of the young men present to go to his house and obtain some clean linen and forward it to the police-station whither he was to be conveyed. Then said he to the detectives, "I am now, gentlemen, ready to accompany you."

Detective Allen, acting upon this condescension, ran down the stairs and hailed a four-wheel cab. It was about 6.45 when the departure took place. It was noticed that Wilde looked considerably flushed, but he did not appear in any way to have lost the arrogant self-possession which he displayed at the court, and that he never for a moment relaxed the grasp of his arm upon "The Yellow Book." One of the young men referred to as having been in the room of the hotel—a sallow complexioned young fellow, wearing a fur-lined coat and a silk hat—exhibited the intention of entering the cab, but, on a strong hint from one of the detectives, he desisted. The detectives and Wilde were now fairly seated in the growler. Detective Allen directed the cabman to drive by the shortest route to Scotland Yard. The driver accordingly proceeded by way of Cadogan Square, and as he passed the cab rank he cried out to some of his brethren, "I've got him inside." The man was evidently animated by the full glory that he had captured a distinguished fare. The four-wheeler then proceeded to Scotland Yard.

Detective Allen alighted first, and Wilde came next. In alighting he missed the carriage-step and nearly fell to the stone pavement. Quickly recovering his position and still retaining between his teeth the cigarette which he was smoking, he dived his hand into his pocket and pulled out some money for the purpose of paying the cabman. Detective Allen interposed, "I'll pay." "No! No!" said Wilde, "Allow me, if you please," but on being informed that it was a way they had at Scotland Yard of paying for the conveyance of prisoners, Wilde returned the coins to his pocket. Wilde was then hurried by the two detectives into "the Yard," where he was detained for some time, and subsequently removed to Bow Street. To that place he was conveyed at 8 p.m. in a cab.

On the road Wilde smoked his cigarette and made divers inquiries of the detectives: Could he have a private cell? Would he be allowed to smoke? Might he order his food from outside the prison? At Bow Street Wilde was placed like other alleged criminals in the station dock. The warrant upon which he had been arrested was read out to him. The charge referred to acts committed on March 25, 1895, and on divers other dates. Wilde, leaning on the side of the dock, smiling, made no reply to the charge. He, however, requested that the dates be repeated. He was searched according to the police regulations, and then conveyed to one of the ordinary cells of the station.

Shortly alter the prisoner's arrival at Bow Street a Mr. Rose, a friend of Mr. Wilde, drove up with a small Gladstone bag containing a change of clothes and other necessaries for Wilde, but after a short interview with the inspector on duty Mr. Rose returned to his cab with the bag, he not being allowed to leave it. Later Lord Alfred Douglas visited Bow Street in order to see it he could bail out 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 he officer on duty. Wilde occupies an ordinary cell, but will be allowed to supply himself with any extra food he thinks fit.

THE TRIAL. A GRATIS DEFENCE BY SIR EDWARD CLARKE.

The doors of Bow Street Police Court were besieged at an early hour this morning, it being known that Mr. Oscar Wilde, who had been arrested on the previous night on a warrant granted shortly after the termination of tho Wilde v. Queensberry case, would be placed in the dock. A few minutes before ten the doors were opened, but only representatives of the press were admitted. They quickly seized upon all available accommodation. After a few minutes' delay it was intimated that the case would be taken in the Extradition Court upstairs, thereupon there was a wild rush from this part of the building on the part of the public, who had by this time got within the gates. The small court was thronged to its fullest capacity by an assemblage of well-dressed men. Only one woman was present and, seated immediately behind the dock, was the object of a great deal of curious and audible speculation.

Mr. C.F. Gill, who in the libel action acted as junior to Mr. Carson, Q.C., in defending the Marquess of Queensberry, entered at eleven o'clock. A moment later Sir Augustus Harris appeared, followed by several gentlemen understood to be connected with the drama. Sir John Bridge took his seat at five minutes past eleven. Simultaneously the door of the passage leading from the cells was thrown open, and the prisoner was seen approaching, carrying a silk hat in his hand. He advanced with an easy and even a stately step. He was wearing the overcoat which he wore at the Old Bailey, with a heavy velvet collar and cuffs. Having reached the centre of the dock, Wilde calmly deposited his hat upon the seat at his side, bowed slightly to Sir John, then crossing his arms over the rails, he bent slightly forward and listened attentively to the opening sentences which fell from Mr. Gill.

Mr. C.F. Gill, rising immediately the prisoner was placed in the dock, said he appeared to prosecute the prisoner on a series of charges, which he then specified. With regard to the nature of the case, he did not think it desirable that he should trouble the Court with any opening detail. No good purpose would be served by going into this matter in an opening speech. He would indicate to the Court generally what had occurred, and the evidence he proposed to adduce, and the nature of the charges upon which he should ask for the prisoner to be ultimately committed for trial would depend upon the evidence disclosed. The case, which counsel went into, in the first instance related to the conduct of the prisoner with regard to a young man named Charles Parker. Mention was also made of the part played by a person named Taylor. Thereafter counsel went on to give details unfit for publication.

Charles Parker was called, and as he entered the witness-box the prisoner, who by this time was seated and supporting his head on his gloved hand, looked steadily for a moment at the youth. Parker is a good-looking, well-set up young man of 19 years. He was smartly dressed, having a full depth white collar and light velvet-cuffed overcoat approximating somewhat to the Newmarket cut. Answering Mr. Gill, he said he was formerly a valet.

During his evidence the learned counsel startled the Court by the sudden intimation that Taylor bad been arrested, and he would postpone the further examination of Pinker pending Taylor's arrival in the dock.

At this juncture Detective-inspector Marshall announced "Alfred Taylor," and in obedience to the call a young man of similar build and address to Parker stepped briskly into the dock, and took his stand on Wilde's left.

Parker, replying to Mr. Gill, said he identified Taylor. When Taylor introduced him to Wilde Taylor said Wilde was a good man. Witness then described his visits to Taylor's rooms. He also gave an account of dining with his brother, Taylor, and Wilde in a private room at a restaurant. The table was lighted with candles with red shades.

Was it a good dinner?—Yes, a very good. (A laugh).

What wine?—Champagne.

Anything besides after dinner?—Yes; Coffee and brandy.

Did you smoke?—Yes.

What?—Cigarettes.

Did you see who paid for the dinner?—Wilde wrote out a cheque.

Parker gave his evidence with some hesitancy, and blushed deeply. As the examination of this witness had proceeded, Wilde moved restlessly about the corner of the dock in which he had seated himself, and occasionally passed his hands across his face in a way indicative o£ distress of mind.

Mr. C.O. Humphreys here announced that he had instructed counsel for the defence, and Mr. Travers Humphreys, who was with Sir Edward Clarke and Mr. Mathews at the Old Bailey, now entered the court and took his seat at the barristers' table.

Cross-examination was reserved. The Court then adjourned for luncheon.

During the adjournment for luncheon the gossip in court was to the effect that Sir Edward Clarke had written to Wilde's solicitor expressing his willingness to defend the prisoner without fee. On inquiry this statement proved to be well founded.

On the court resuming W. Parker, a brother of the former witness, and strongly resembling him, waa called. The witness complained or feeling unwell, and was accommodated with a seat. Parker, whose face was deathly pale, said falteringly that he, his brother, Taylor, and Wilde dined together.

Mrs. Ellen Grant, 13 Little College Street, described prisoners peculiar way of furnishing and lighting his rooms.

ANOTHER ARREST.

The Press Association telegraphs:—The man Taylor, who is alleged to have acted as an intermediary for Oscar Wilde, was arrested this morning and taken to Bow Street.

THE NIGHT IN THE CELL.

As soon as Wilde was inside the police-station last night his demeanour appeared to change completely. Had he not supported himself by the rail which runs down the lower end of the office he would have fallen. In a few seconds, however, he recovered himself, and sweeping back his hair from his forehead desired to know in what manner he was to be treated. He was informed, says to-day's Echo, that he would be placed in an ordinary cell. "Cannot I have a private room?" he plaintively queried. "No." was the reply, "but we will make you as comfortable as possible." He was requested to give up any articles winch he had upon him. He, without a word, turned out his pockets. A few loose coins, a pencil case, some papers, and 20 £5 notes, this was all he had upon him. The notes were kept by the police, but the remaining articles, excepting the pencil, were returned to him. Then he was conducted to the cell. "How am I to sleep to-night?" was Oscar's next question. In reply a constable brought in a few rugs, and throwing them upon a bench in the cell indicated that that would be the bed for the night.

LAST NIGHT'S DINNER.

The question of dinner was next considered. The prisoner, placed as he was, would be allowed to secure special food if he desired it. He did so desire, and a messenger acting on his request was despatched to an hotel. He returned attended by one of the hotel servants bearing a waiter piled with soup, fish, chicken, and a small bottle of champagne. For this repast Oscar displayed only the slightest partiality. Then he requested to be provided with a book, but the light in the cell, however, prevented reading. He also pleaded for permission to smoke, but this was refused. He slept very lightly, and now and then paced his cell. As soon as morning broke he stepped up to the door of the cell, and catching sight of the constable who had been detailed for the duty of watching him during the night had a brief conversation with him. At eight o'clock a messenger arrived with his breakfast of coffee and bread and butter. The coffee he drank, but the solid food he returned untouched. A curious feature, however, was that before this food could be taken from the cell another messenger arrived with coffee, bread and butter, and two eggs. This, of course, was returned.

HIS AGITATION.

It is reported from Bow Street that when Mr. Gill stated that Taylor had been arrested Wilde displayed the greatest agitation, and repeatedly laid his head on his hands. Tayior, on going into the dock, smiled at his felloW prisoner, who, however, was buried in a fit of abstraction.

ALL IRISHMEN.

The Westminster Gazette points out that it is somewhat remarkable that Oscar Wilde, Mr. Carson and Mr. Gill (the leading counsel against him), and Mr. Justice Henn Collins, who tried the case, are all Irishmen, and are ail graduates of Dublin University.

ON THE WATCH.

All the railway stations from which trains left in connection with steamers for foreign ports were watched by detectives yesterday afternoon, aud Wilde's description was sent by telegraph to the chiefs of police in British ports with urgent requests that, if he was seen there, he might be arrested at sight.

"THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST."

Mr. George Alexander, lessee and manager of St. James's Theatre, London, where Mr. Oscar Wilde's successful comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest, is being performed, does not at present intend to remove the play from his boards, although the name of the author will no longer appear in the advertisements or the bills. He points out that no kind of objection, on grounds of morality or of taste, can be taken to the comedy.

(Continued from Page 3.)

The prisoners were remanded until Thursday next. Bail was refused, and prisoners were taken to the cells.

The police have re-searched Taylor's rooms, and it is said other startling disclosures are on the tapis.

London, April 26.

The trial of Oscar Wilde and Alfred Taylor was begun at the Old Bailey this morning. As at the extraordinary case that was heard at the last sessions only three weeks ago, when Wilde was prosecutor and the Marquis of Queensberry was in the dock charged with criminal libel, the public interest in the proceedings was intense. The Old Court was thronged. The gallery, as before, was from an early hour packed with a most unusually well-dressed crowd. Yet there could hardly have been one among the dense mass wedging themselves within the walls who did not feel that before them was to be carried out to its bitter end the tragedy of a brilliant genius and the tragedy of a wasted life. Of all the trials--and there have been many sad ones--heard within these historic walls, there has never been one more saddening than this. So terrible, indeed, is it, that it is impossible to realise at the full the whole of its awful import.

Nine, counsel were engaged in the case. Mr. C. F. Gill, Mr. Horace Avory, and Mr. A. Gill had charge of the prosecution, instructed by Mr. Angus Lewis on behalf of the Public Prosecutor. Wilde was defended by Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., Mr. Charles Mathews, and Mr. Travers Humphreys. Mr. J.P. Grain and Mr. Paul Taylor appeared for the prisoner Taylor, and Mr. Leonard Kershaw hold a watching brief for the witness Mavor. All the counsel were early in attendance, and Mr. Charles Mathews passed down through the dock to the cells, doubtless to see the prisoner Wilde, before the arrival of Mr. Justice Charles, who did not take his seat till fully half-past 10. The prisoners were at once brought into the dock. Wilde, looking almost haggard, and fallen away from his old fleshiness, wore the dark overcoat and suede gloves which have been his attire throughout these painful cases, and still carried his scrupulously-brushed silk hat. Taylor for the first time wore an overcoat, of light brown cloth with a collar of slightly darker velvet, and was suede-gloved like his companion. He was neatly groomed as ever, but his fresh- coloured effeminate face wore a much more serious expression than when he was first brought up at Bow - street. Wilde leant heavily on the front of the dock. Taylor stood erect, and looked curiously about the court, which he last saw from a very different point of view.

The Clerk of Arraigns, having read the principal of the 25 counts of the indictments against the prisoners, called upon Wilde to plead first.

Sir Edward Clarke at once rose to take a preliminary objection to his client being called upon to plead at all. He pointed out that on the counts under the Criminal Law Amendment Act the prisoners are competent witnesses on their own behalf, while on the counts for conspiracy they are not. He submitted, therefore, that they could not be asked to make one plea to both indictments. The defendants had, moreover, the right to elect whether they would be put on their trial on the charge of conspiracy, on which they could not give evidence, or on the charge under the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1885, under which they are competent witnesses.

Mr. Gill, in reply, said the prisoners were charged with acts of gross indecency, on which they could give evidence. The only other charge against them was one of agreement as to committing or attempting to commit these misdemeanours. To give evidence on the first would undoubtedly lay them open to cross-examination on both, but there was no hardship he said, in the prisoners being indicted on counts so nearly similar.

Mr. Justice Charles held that the counts could lawfully be joined together in the same indictment. Otherwise the Criminal Law Amendment Act would be held to over-ride the ordinary criminal law, under which misdemeanours could undoubtedly be joined. At the same time he appreciated the inconvenience of the position.

Wilde was then again called upon to plead, and in clear tones replied not guilty. Taylor was next called upon, and rather huskily replied in the same words.

Sir Edward Clarke then raised another objection. He appealed to the judge to order in his discretion that the prosecution should elect upon which of the two sets of charges they would proceed, quoting a long case to show that two separate charges of misdemeanour could not be taken upon the same offence and at the same time.

Mr. Gill left it to the Bench. It was, he said, entirely a question for the learned judge. The learned judge here again could not agree with Sir Edward. He again expressed his sense of the inconvenience of the position, but he did not feel, at least at that moment, justified in putting the prosecution to the necessity of dividing the case.

Mr. Gill rose to address the jury. With regard to the nature of the case, he said it would be idle to suppose the jury had not heard or read much about it already, but be trusted they would dismiss prior knowledge as far as possible from their thoughts and approach the consideration of a very serious case with impartial minds.

Mr. Gill proceeded to describe Taylor's rooms with their heavily draped windows, their candles burning on through the day, and the languorous atmosphere, heavy with perfumes. Here, he said, men met together, and here Wilde was introduced by Taylor to youths who would give evidence in the case. Analysing the indictment, Mr. Gill said the first nine counts referred to misconduct with the lads named Parker, the next three to Frederick Atkins, the next five to Alfred Wood, two more to incidents at the Savoy Hotel, two to the young man named Mavor, three to charges of conspiracy, and the last to Wilde's conduct in regard to the lad Shelley. Taking these in their order he roundly accused Taylor of corrupting the first-named lads, and inducing them to meet Wilde by assuring them that he was liberal in his payments. In regard to Taylor the most serious counts of the indictment charge him with attempting the actual felony with both the lads named Parker, whose evidence was abundantly corroborated. Mr. Gill then went over the facts already published in connection with the Queensberry suit and the police-court proceedings as to Wilde's relations with the Parkers, Atkins, Mavor, and Wood, and with the latter's alleged attempt to extort blackmail. There was a difference about Wilde's acquaintanceship with Shelley, whom he met in the shop of his publishers, Messrs. Mathews and Lane, where he was employed. It was an acquaintance with a literary side, but it went through the same stages. Tamely concluding, when he seemed to be only in medias res, with an assurance that the evidence which he would call would justify the jury in finding the prisoners guilty on all counts of the indictment, Mr. Gill called his first witness.

Charles Parker is now 21 years of age, a slim, clean-shaven lad, with a fair, girlish face. He deposed that prior to his acquaintance with Taylor he was employed as a valet. His brother, William Parker, was a groom. He then proceeded to give once more in detailthe process by which Taylor introduced himself at the St. Jamesís Restaurant, and the dinner at the Solferino in Rupert-street, at which Wilde was present. They had a private room. The table was laid for four, and was lighted by candles with red shades. There was champagne, followed by cognac, and incidents followed which the witness described. Wilde meantime gazed at him fixedly, showing no embarrassment or feeling. There were unmentionable particulars of other meetings, after each of which the witness received a sum of money. Wilde leaned over the front of the dock to whisper a few sentences into the ear of Mr. Charles Mathews, who nodded and left the court. Almost as if by accident Mr. Gill elicited a piece of evidence against Wilde more revolting than anything which has yet been told in the case. When Mr. Gill went on to refer to the arrest of the witness and Taylor in the Fitzroy-square raid in August, 1894, Mr. Grain rose for the first time and quietly protested against the introduction of matter extraneous to the indictment. "Surely I have enough to answer!" he said. Mr. Gill said he only desired to show that after that incident the witness ceased his acquaintance with Taylor, and went into the country, where he enlisted in the army. It was there Lord Queensberry's solicitor found him, when seeking evidence in support of the plea of justification.

This closed the examination in chief, and the court adjourned for luncheon.

When the court resumed, Sir E. Clarke proceeded to cross - examine the witness Charles Parker. He enlisted on Sept. 3. Somebody from Messrs. Russell and Day came to see him about the matter in March. He enlisted in the name he had given in court. The day before Mr. Russell came he had not communicated with anybody in regard to this. He had no idea how he found him out. He had stated at the police-court that he had received £30, which was money that had been extorted from a gentleman. He could not remember the date when he received his £30. It was a month or two before he enlisted. The names of the men from whom he received the money were Wood and Allen. Wood was a witness in this case. He did not know where Allen was to be found.

How much did Wood and Allen tell you they got?--£300 or £400.

It was the first sum of money he had received under such circumstances. He spent it in about two days.

At counsel's request witness wrote the name and address of his late employer. He was there as a valet for about nine months. He did not leave without a character. He had a written character, which was given to him before the clothes he was accused of stealing were found to be missing. When he called at Taylor's house he understood what the purpose was. When he first met Wilde he knew him as a dramatist, and told him that he wanted to go upon the stage. He told Wilde that his father was a horse-dealer, He knew why he was introduced to Wilde. At that first dinner Wilde took the greatest part in the conversation. He and Wilde arrived at the Savoy at about 10 o'clock. They went to the second or third floor--he could not be certain which, but be thought the second. He did not see anyone but a hall-boy at the hotel entrance. They went up by the lift. In the sitting-room Wilde rang the bell for a waiter, and the waiter went for drinks and brought them in. The sitting-room and the bedroom opened one into the other. Wilde did not lock the sitting-room door, but he locked that of the bedroom. He did not see any servants about when he left the hotel. He did not know Wilde even by sight until he was introduced to him at the restaurant.

Mr. Grain, on behalf of Taylor, introduced a new name, that of one Harrington, and suggested that the witness was introduced by Harrington to Taylor. The witness denied it. He knew Harrington before he knew Taylor, and he was present at the meeting at the St. James's Hall bar, but he did not make the introduction.

Are you quite sure the sum of £30 mentioned by Sir Edward Clarke is the only sum you have received under similar circumstances? Yes. Has Wood not suggested to you more than once that there were people from whom you might obtain money? No. You are sure of it? Yes.

Mr. Grain next found a glaring discrepancy between the evidence given by witness this morning as to misconduct with Taylor at Camera-square and that he gave last week at Bow-street, where he swore that there was no such misconduct. The witness admitted that he had made both statements, and could in no way reconcile them. Passing to another subject, Mr. Grain elicited that six months after the witness made Taylor's acquaintance he went to Paris with another person.

A composer? Yes. An operatic composer? Yes. How long were you in Paris with that person? A month. In what capacity? As valet. Did he pay you wages? Yes; two louis a month. Did you share the same room? No. You saw him every day? Yes; I visited him every morning.

In further cross-examination the witness said he knew the lad Atkins and another named Burton. They were living together when he made their acquaintance.

Did you go to Monte Carlo with Burton? Yes. How long were you there? Only a few days.

This concluded Mr. Grain's cross-examination, and Mr. Gill rose to re-examine. In reply to his (Mr. Gill's) questions, Parker said he knew Lord Alfred Douglas. He was introduced to him by Taylor. He knew, too, that the letters for which Wood received £30 were written by Wilde. Then MG Gill found a plausible explanation of the apparent inconsistency discovered by Mr. Grain, by eliciting that the misconduct in Chelsea occurred at the Chapel-street lodging, and not in Camera-square. After being almost three hours in the box the witness was dismissed, and Mr. Gill called.

William Parker, the elder brother of the last witness, aged 22. He confirmed generally the evidence to the way in which they made the acquaintance of Taylor and were introduced to Wilde.

William Parker was narrowly cross-examined by Sir Edward Clarke. "When you went to the first dinner at Kettner's or the Solerino," he asked, "did you know the purpose for which you now say you were introduced to Mr. Wilde?" "Yes," said the witness.

Ellen Grant, the caretaker of 13, Little College-street, was called to give evidence of Taylor's tenancy. Among the visitors were Charles Mason, Sydney Mavor, and other young men of 16 and upwards.

The court was adjourned at five o'clock.

We are requested by Lord Alfred Douglas to state that in response to an urgent telegram from his mother he started to-day for Italy to see her, but hopes to return to London in a few days.