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LONDON, May 2.

A news agency says that counsel for Oscar Wilde were engaged to-day settling the terms of an affidavit to be made in support of an application for bail on Mr. O. Wilde's behalf to the judge in chambers. The affidavit was filed this afternoon, and a copy furnished to the Treasury.

The application will be made to Mr. Baron Pollock to-morrow, and will take precedence of all other applications, as it concerns the liberty of the subject. It is contended in legal circles that the judge has no option but to grant bail under the circumstances of the case, though, of course he may fix it at a practically prohibitive amount if he so chooses.

In the opinion of the defence, it is thought that the new trial will be at least as much in favour of the defendant's chances of an acquittal as against it, since in the interval the opportunity will be afforded of collecting much information on various matters which there was no time to investigate before. In some quarters it is suggested that the Treasury may proceed no further with the case, taking the view that having failed to secure a conviction public policy will be best consulted by allowing the matter to drop; but this belief is not generally entertained.

The May sessions of the Central Criminal Court open on the 20th of this month.

The number of letters and other 'communications received by those responsible for the defence in the course of the case, many of them of the most abusive character, has been enormous. Sir Edward Clarke, in particular, has been inundated with letters from a number of worthy people, including a large number of his constituents, denouncing him for appearing in such a case, while Mr. C. Mathews, the prisoner's solicitors, and Wilde himself, have all been favoured with communications of a like order.

Baron Pollock this afternoon made a receiving order against Mr. Oscar Wilde, leave being given to the defendant to move to vary the order. The application was for a small amount.

As reported in last night's Evening Post, the jury in the Wilde case disagreed, and were dismissed. Remaining absent for three hours and 40 minutes, the jury returned into court at a quarter-past five. Mr. Justice Charles having then resumed his seat on the bench, the clerk, addressing the warders, said, "Bring the prisoners up," and Oscar Wilde and Alfred Taylor accordingly re-appeared in the dock, where they stood, the first-named betraying no sign either of hope or anxiety, and the other accused smiling complacently. The foreman of the jury then intimated that there was no possibility of a verdict being arrived at.

Mr. Justice Charles said that the prisoners were entitled to have a verdict of not guilty entered on the record on the conspiracy counts, on the count charging them with attempting to procure the commission of an act by Atkins, and on the counts charging Taylor with attempting to procure the commission of an act by Wood and Mayor. Unfortunately, the material matters were those upon which the jury could not come to an agreement, and with regard to them he must discharge the jury without giving a verdict.

The jury found the prisoners "Not guilty" on all the conspiracy counts, and other counts referred to by Mr. Justice Charles.

The jury, being unable to agree as to the other counts, were discharged without giving a verdict with regard to them.

Sir Edward Clarke asked that Wilde might be admitted to bail.

An application for bail was also made on behalf of Taylor.

Mr. Justice Charles: I do not feel able to accede to the application.

Mr. Gill said the case would certainly be tried again. The most desirable course would be that it should go to the next Sessions—that was the usual course.

Mr. Justice Charles: Let it be so; it is the usual course.

The business of the Sessions was concluded.

A further application for bail on behalf of Wilde will be made to the Judge in Chambers to-morrow. The Judge has no power to refuse such an application, although, of course, he has absolute discretion as to the amount at which bail can be fixed.

Counsel have been engaged to-day settling the terms of an affidavit to be made in support of an application for bail on Mr. O. Wilde's behalf to the Judge in chambers. The affidavit will be filed this afternoon, and a copy furnished to the Treasury. The application will be made to Mr. Baron Pollock to-morrow.