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London, April 6.--Mr. Oscar Wilde, who for twenty years has, after one fashion or another, attracted to himself the attention of the cultivated world both of England and America; who has posed by turns as a languorous aesthete, as a caustic cynic and as a producer of brilliant epigrams and witty paradox is, as I write, the occupant of a Bow Street Police Court cell on a charge which in the eyes of most honest men is even more odious than that of murder.

Yesterday was a day of sensationalism which, though one at least of its startling effects was carefully prepared in advance by a master hand, was in its essence intensely dramatic.

When Mr. Justice Collins took his seat on the Bench at the Old Bailey at half-past ten, the Court to outward appearances was the same as that of the two previous days, with the same crowd of standing and sitting spectators, with the Marquis of Queensberry quietly lounging over the rail of the dock in his customary attitude and with the long array of counsel fidgeting over their papers and briefs. But there was a feeling of expectancy as though something were about to happen, which in some vague way changed the entire aspect of things.

That the prosecutor was not in his usual place by his solicitor's side added, doubtless,to this strained feeling, but as his presence was not absolutely required at this stage, nothing conclusive was shown by his absence.

A CABLE DESPATCH FOR THE JUDGE.

The Judge, after making the customary bow to the jury, the Court and the bar, opened and read with impressive countenance a cable despatch which was lying on his desk. He said no word, however, but nodded to Mr. Carson to resume his address, which the latter did in his usual solemn but effective manner.

He began by saying that he now came to the more painful and distasteful part of his task, for he had to call one by one the subordinate actors in a hideous drama. After hearing the evidence they would have to hear, the jury would wonder, not that Lord Queensberry should have acted as he did, but that this man Wilde had been tolerated in London society so long as he had.

He then proceeded to outline the evidence which he was to produce, and clearly showed it was of a most horribly conclusive nature. While Mr. Carson was making this scathing attack upon the absent prosecutor, an attack which at times rose to the utmost height of withering vituperation, Sir E. Clarke had quietly left the Court, and had remained absent for some minutes.

THE FIRST SENSATION.

When he returned Mr. Carson was dealing with Mr. Wilde's conduct at Worthing and elsewhere, and pointing out in the most trenchant fashion the disgraceful audacity of his behavior upon the witness stand. At this point the first sensation of this sensational day occurred. Sir Edward plucked Mr. Carson by his gown and for a few moments the opposing counsel conferred together.

Then Sir Edward rose and, addressing the judge, said that Mr. Carson had on the previous day referred to certain literature and letters, and had hoped he had said enough to convince the jury on that score alone, without dealing with other issues. Lord Queensberry, in the libel complained of, had used the word "posing," and his colleagues knew that they could not resist a verdict of "Not guilty" in this case.

ASKS TO WITHDRAW.

Taking into consideration the word "posing," he now said that on behalf of Mr. O. Wilde he would ask to withdraw from the prosecution, and if at this stage of the case that were not allowed he was prepared to accept a verdict of "Not guilty" in reference to such parts of the plea of justification as referred to Dorian Grey and The Chameleon.

Mr. Carson said, so far as Lord Queensberry was concerned, that if the verdict should involve that he succeeded in his whole plea of justification he was quite satisfied.

Mr. Justice Collins in clear, precise tones set forth that in his opinion he did not think it was any part of the functions of a judge or jury to insist on going through prurient details when the prosecutor was prepared to acquiesce in a verdict of "Not guilty," but he went on:--

"As to the jury putting any limitation upon the verdict of justification, the justification is one which is justification of the charge, which is of "posing". If that is justified, it is justified; if it is not, it is not; and the verdict of the jury upon it must be "Guilty," or "Not guilty." I understand the prosecutor to assent to a verdict of "Not guilty."

A STORM OF APPLAUSE IN COURT.

He then directed the jury to return a verdict to this effect, which, in accordance with the usual formalities they proceeded to do, the foreman, however, adding that in their opinion the libel had been uttered for the public benefit. Then there arose such a storm of applause as has seldom been heard in a court of justice.

I am told on the best authority that the arrangement as to Mr. Wilde's withdrawal from the prosecution was arrived at between counsel late on Thursday night. Mr. Carson, however, insisted that he should be allowed to continue his address to the jury long enough to bring out such essential facts as he deemed necessary. Indeed the signal for Sir E. Clarke's rising was actually given by Mr. Carson himself, when he thought the proper moment had arrived.

Before Lord Queensberry and his counsel left the Court the following letter was written to the Hon. Hamilton Cuffe, Director of Public Prosecutions:-- 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 the trial.--Yours faithfully, Charles Russell.

And, then so far as Lord Queensberry was concerned, the case was ended. The rest lay with the Public Prosecutor.

"DONE MY DUTY.

"I think," said Lord Queensberry to me later in the afternoon when I found him at Carter's Hotel, Albemarle-street, his table littered with congratulatory telegrams which continued to arrive in batches at intervals, "I think I have done my duty, not only to my family and myself, but also to the community. It has cost me £1,200 and now if the law of England does not step in I must make my own law. I have sent a message to this creature Wilde that if he chooses to leave the country, I, for one, shall certainly not lift a finger to stay him, but he must distinctly understand that if he takes my son with him I shall follow him and shoot him like a dog. But I think he ought not to be allowed to leave the country; I think he ought to be placed where he can ruin no more-young men.

"For the part I have taken myself in this matter I can only say I acted absolutely and entirely from a sense of duty. Many of my friends have said, as many of these telegrams received also say, that I am to be commended for my pluck. I do not see that pluck had anything to do with it.

"I do not see that I could have acted otherwise than I have done and have preserved my self-respect I may tell you that the full measure of this man's baseness was not revealed to me until after my own arrest at his instance.

DEPTHS OF IMMORALITY.

"Then the evidence which accumulated and the voluntary confessions which were made to us showed us a depth of immorality which is almost incredible. But I have come to the conclusion that the man, if man you can call him, must be demented. No sane man could have adopted the tone he did on the witness stand ; no sane man could have made the ridiculous assertion you tell me he has concerning the reason of his counsel's withdrawal.

"Why he has not long since fled the country I cannot imagine, for he knew of our defence and our witnesses days ago, and must have anticipated the only result possible. I may tell you that our evidence was irrefutable, peculiarly so, indeed."

As I was talking to Lord Queensberry a serious conclave was in progress at Bow Street police court. When Mr. Russell's letter reached the Treasury the Hon. Hamilton Cuffe chanced to be there and at once went through the papers and communicated with the authorities at Scotland Yard.

They in turn applied to Sir J. Bridge, the presiding magistrate at Bow Street, who after personally examining two of the witnesses subpoenaed by Lord Queensberry's lawyers, signed at a quarter-past five a warrant of arrest for Mr. Wilde on the most serious charge short of a capital offence. This was taken by two detective-sergeants to the Cadogan Hotel, Sloane-street, where Wilde was known to be.

CLOSELY SHADOWED.

I may say here, by the way, that for the last six weeks he has been closely shadowed by the police authorities. At the hotel Mr. Wilde was found sitting in an armchair, smoking and chatting with the two Douglas boys.

When one of the detectives explained the nature of their visit, Mr. Wilde quietly said: "Oh ! May I ask what you are going to do with me?" He was told he would first be taken to Scotland Yard, and the warrant was read. "Shall I be kept in a cell all night?" he asked. "Yes," was the reply. "Can I be bailed out?" "That," said the detective, "is not a matter for me to decide."

Picking up and taking with him a number of the Yellow Book which lay on the table he then put on his coat and hat and accompanied the detectives in a cab to Scotland Yard. It then became evident that he had been drinking heavily. As he left the cab he nearly fell and reeled somewhat as he crossed the pavement.

At half-past eight he left Scotland Yard for Bow Street. On the way he asked various questions as to the treatment he might expect. Whether he might smoke in his cell, and so forth.

CONDUCTED TO A CELL.

Arrived at the station he was at once charged and while the warrant was read stood quietly and collectedly in the dock with his hands in his pockets. He said nothing in answer, save to ask that the date of the alleged offence, which was March 25, 1895, might be repeated. He was then searched, all valuables and papers taken from him and was immediately conducted to a cell.

Later a Mr. Rosse arrived with a bag containing Wilde's dressing-gown and so forth, but was not allowed to see him or to leave the bag, and later still Lord Alfred Douglas appeared with a substantial sum in his possession which he was prepared to offer as bail. It was, of course, refused. Wilde is treated as an ordinary prisoner, no indulgences of any sort being allowed to him.

I am told that the case had already been informally submitted to the Public Prosecutor, and so there was not the least delay in the action taken by that functionary.

I also heard that the detectives have been scouring the city in search of the man Taylor, for whom a warrant is already signed. He has been under police surveillance for some time, but unluckily was allowed to slip away early yesterday morning and has not been seen since. It is not expected that he has left the city.

I need not say that London yesterday afternoon and night was completely possessed of but one idea, and that idea concerned itself with the arrest of Mr. Wilde. Not only has he been for a very long time a prominent figure in literary and artistic circles, but for the last few years rumors and innuendoes which have caused Lord Queensberry to insist upon his son breaking off his intimacy with the dramatist have been prevalent, and have included the names not only of Wilde and his close intimates, but many well-known men of social as well as artistic distinction.

Things, indeed, have been fast reaching a point at which no man's name has been safe, and it is therefore felt by everyone that Lord Queensberry has rendered a positive service to the community. This at all events is the opinion I have heard expressed on every hand to-day.

Interest has of course attached to the course that would be taken by the managers of those theatres at which Mr. Wilde's plays are at present running. It was expected, indeed, by the majority of people that both would be immediately removed from the boards.

Neither Mr. Alexander nor Mr. Morrell, however, adopted this course. The author's name was omitted from the programme and the advertisements, and that was all. The attendance at both houses was, however, slight.

The prisoner will be brought before the magistrate at ten o'clock this morning.

The hearing of the libel action brought by Mr. Oscar Wilde against the Marquess of Queensberry was resumed to-day at the Central Criminal Court, before Mr. Justice Collins and a common jury. Sir E. Clarke, Q.C., M.P., Mr. C. Mathews, and Mr. Travers Humphreys are counsel for Mr. Oscar Wilde; Mr. R. Carson, Q.C., M.P., Mr. C. F. Gill, and Mr. A. Gill appeared for the Marquess; and Mr. Besley, Q.C., and Mr. Monckton held a watching brief for Lord Alfred Douglas of Hawick.

The galleries and body of the court were again thronged by half-past nine o'clock, and until the reappearance of the learned judge barristers and numbers of the public spent their time in purusing the reports in the morning papers of yesterday's proceedings. From the floor of the building to the ceiling printed broadsheets were everywhere visible, the noisy rustling of the papers mingling with the incessant chatter going on as to the prospects of the case.

Lord Queensberry had this morning made a slight change in his attire. Entering the dock with a confident air he threw off a great coat disclosing an under garment of a moss-green hue and a neat white silk necktie. His Lordship occupied himself with a newspaper until Mr. Justice Collins appeared.

Mr. Carson resumed his address for the defence at half-past ten o'clock with the observation that he hoped he had justified Lord Queensberry in the bringing to a climax in the way he did the connection between his son and Mr. Oscar Wilde. He had now a more painful duty to approach. He had to comment upon other evidence which was supplemental to what he might call plain, clear, and admitted facts. It would be his painful task to call these several young men to tell their own tale. He would show that Taylor acted as an intermediary for Wilde. It had been said by Wilde in the witness-box that he wished to break down social distinctions. That might be a noble and generous instinct, but Wilde had not shown very generous instincts in his treatment of these youths. Declaring with much emphasis, "It is a wonder this man Wilde has been tolerated in London society so long as he has," Mr. Carson proceeded to give details as to conduct at the Savoy Hotel, and elsewhere, which cannot be even indicated. "I regret," proceeded the learned counsel, "to be obliged to put into the witness-box the young man Parker, for he has since entered the service of his country, and has had no black mark against him. Since putting on Her Majesty's uniform he bears an excellent character, and I trust his past experience has been a lesson to him." Mr. Carson then characterised Wilde's behaviour in regard to the fisher-boy at Worthing as an instance of his disgusting audacity. He picked this boy up on the pier, introduced him to his family, dressed him up as a gentleman, and put public school colours upon his hat. The facts in regard to this boy would not have been accepted had they been proved out if any person's mouth, except that of Wilde himself. They almost passed belief.

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

The plaintiff Wilde had up to this point been absent.

On Sir Edward Clarke returning he gave a whispered intimation to Mr. Carson, who thereupon resumed his seat.

Sir E Clarke, then rising, said:—My Lord—I here interpose to make a statement which I do under a feeling of gravest responsibility. Mr. Carson yesterday addressed the jury upon the question of the literature involved in this case, and upon inferences to be drawn from admissions made with regard to the letters of Mr. Oscar Wilde. My learned friend began his address this morning by saying I that he hoped he had yesterday said enough in dealing with these topics to influence the jury, and to relieve them from the necessity of dealing in detail with the other issues in this case. I feel it must have been present to your Lordship's mind that those representing Mr. Oscar Wilde had before them a very terrible anxiety They could not conceal from themselves that the judgment that might be formed of the literature and of conduct which bad been admitted might not improbably induce the jury to say that when Lord Queensberry used those words which constituted the libel be was using words for which there was sufficient justification -that as a father he was entitled to use those words under the circumstances, and to be relieved from a criminal charge in respect of the statement. In our view we thought that that might not improbably be the result upon that part of the case. I and my learned friends who desire to be associated with me in this matter have looked forward to a verdict given in favour of the defendant upon that part of this case, and that such a verdict might be interpreted outside as a sufficient justification with regard to all other points. The position in which we stood was that without expecting to obtain a verdict we should be going on-from day to day, it might be-with a large amount of evidence in the investigation of matters of the most appalling character. Under these circumstances I hope your Lordship will think I am taking a right course, which I take after communicating with Mr. Oscar Wilde, in saying that having regard to what has already been adduced by my learned friend, Mr. Carson, in respect of the matters connected with the literature and the letters, I feel that he could not resist a verdict of not guilty in reference to the words which constituted the libel. Under these circumstances I hope your lordship will not think I am going beyond the bounds of duty, and that I am doing something to avoid what would be a most terrible task if I now interpose and say on behalf of Mr. Oscar Wilde that I ask to withdraw from the prosecution, and that I am on his behalf prepared to submit to a verdict of not guilty in respect of that part of the particulars connected with the publication of "Dorian Grey" and the Chameleon.

The statement of the hon. and learned gentleman produced a profound sensation in the crowded court.

Mr. Carson: I do not know, my lord, that I have any right to interfere at this stage in any way except to submit that as far as Lord Queensberry is concerned, if there is to be a verdict of not guilty, it involves also a verdict of justification. If your lordship takes that view I am satisfied. We must succeed in that plea, and upon that depends whether the course suggested by my learned friend can be adopted.

Mr. Justice Collins: As to the jury putting any limitation upon the verdict the charge contained in the words which constituted the libel is either justified or it is not justified. The verdict of the jury must be guilty or not guilty, and I understand the prosecution assent to a verdict of not guilty. There can be no limitation, and if the jury assent to the course suggested they will return a verdict of not guilty, and they will find that the justification set up was true in substance and in fact, and that it was published for the public benefit.

The jury consulted for a moment, and the Foreman in reply to the usual question said, "We find the defendant not guilty."

The Clerk of the Court: And do you also find that the plea of justification was true in substance and in fact?

The Foreman: We do, and that it was published for the public benefit.

Mr. Carson at once asked that Lord Queensberry be discharged from custody.

Mr. Justice Collins intimated his assent, and replying to a question from the learned counsel also certified for costs.

The Marquess was congratulated as he descended the steps of the dock to the well of the Court.

The feelings of the public and the bar found vent in a flood of excitable conversation, and with the disappearance of the learned judge from the tribunal the scene ended, and the court was rapidly cleared.

The Exchange Telegraph Company says that the evidence and full shorthand notes have been sent to the Public Prosecutor by Lord Queensberry's solicitor, that there may be no miscarriage of justice.

Those who have followed the reports of the miserable case which came to such a sensational end this morning will not—the Globe surmises—be surprised at the result. After the evidence given yesterday by Mr. Oscar Wilde, he was well advised in withdrawing from the case, and the Marquess of Queensberry may be congratulated upon having entirely justified the action which he took to rescue his son from his very undesirable companionship.

There was loud applause, and practically no attempt made to suppress it, as Lord Queensberry stepped out of the dock and joined his solicitor in the well of the court. Amid general excitement over the sensational nature of the end to a sensational case the court was rapidly emptied of its crowded audience.

It appeared that Mr. Oscar Wilde had been somewhere in the precincts of the court. His brougham was in waiting, and he stepped rapidly into it, calling to the coachman to drive to the Holborn Viaduct Hotel. Before the carriage had stopped at the door of the hotel he thrust his arm and a gold-headed cane out of the window, and signalling to a man who stood here apparently waiting, hoarsely cried, "The verdict not guilty." They entered the hotel together, and shortly afterwards Lord Alfred Douglas was also seen to go into the hotel.

The Exchange Telegraph Company states that Mr. Oscar Wilde went to the Old Bailey this morning, but did not enter the precincts of the court. He had a consultation with Sir Edward Clarke in a room off the court, and while counsel was making his statement to the Judge Mr. Wilde hurriedly left the building.

LETTER TO THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR.

The same agency has authority for stating that no warrant has been applied for, but on leaving the court Mr. Charles Russell, Lord Queensberry's solicitor, addressed the following letter to the Public Prosecutor:—

37, Norfolk Street, Strand. The Hon. Hamilton Cuffe, E-q., Director of Prosecutions. 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 the trial.—Yours faithfully, Charles Russell. The Treasury, Whitehall.

The feeling in London against Wilde is very strong, and the public indignation finds vent in the freest expressions of opinion.

A LETTER FROM WILDE.

Is it a joke? The Evening News has received the following letter from Oscar Wilde, written on the note-paper of the Holborn Viaduct Hotel:—

To the Editor,—It would have been impossible for me to have proved 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. Oscar Wilde.

WHERE IS OSCAR?

According to the St. James's Gazette a rumour is current that Wilde has already quitted the country. If so, he must have lost no time. It is to be presumed, however, that the police authorities have not been guilty of the laxity of allowing him to do anything of the kind. They must have been aware, after the turn the case took yesterday, that their services might be called for; and they will have grossly neglected their duty if they have permitted him to leave the country. Perhaps it may, in charity, bee hoped that Wilde himself has some innocent explanation of the circumstances that look so damning against him, and is himself anxious to stay and meet his accusers.

WILDE'S RENDEZVOUS.

There is some ground for supposing that the "Prosecutor" had appointed the Viaduct Hotel as a rendezvous with his particular friends. Within half-an-hour of his arrival there several gentlemen arrived hurriedly, and were conducted at once to the rooms which had been reserved for Mr. Wilde since yesterday. The brougham, with two smart little brown horses, was driven slowly up and down the Viaduct, pausing once while the coachman received instructions from Lord Alfred Douglas, who came out bareheaded with the hall porter. These movements were closely watched in a number of interests, and it is reported that Scotland Yard was keeping a provisional eye on the hotel. The hotel, it may be stated, is at the terminus of a railway running to the Continent.

LORD QUEENSBERRY IS TRIUMPHANT.

Mr. Oscar Wilde may now, says the Echo, change places with Lord Queensberry and go into the dock himself and have Lord Queensberry's evidence against hun. He appears to have illustrated in his life the beauty and truthfulness of his teachings. He said, in cross-examination, that he considered 'there was no such thing as morality, and he seems to have harmonised his practice with his theory. The counsel for the prosecution, the judge and jury, are entitled to public thanks for abruptly terminating the trial and so preventing the publication of probably revolting revelations. The best thing for everybody now is to forget all about Oscar Wilde, his perpetual posings, his aesthetical teachings, and his theatrical productions. If not tried himself, let him go into silence and be heard of no more.

SIGNIFICANT TALK AT BOW STREET.

At half-past two this afternoon Mr. Angus Lewis, of the Treasury, attended at Bow Street, accompanied by Detective-inspector Brockwell, of Scotland Yard, and had a private conversation with Sir John Bridge. It is understood the learned counsel asked whether it would be convenient for the magistrate to take a certain case to-day in reference to the recent libel suit at the Old Bailey.

A PLAY TO BE ABANDONED.

The Sun states that the issue of the warrant is imminent, and that the reproduction of one of Oscar Wilde's plays has been abandoned.

A CONSULTATION.

Sir John Bridge proceeded this afternoon to the Treasury, and cases stood over until his return to Bow Street.

WITHDRAWN FROM THE PLAYBILLS.

Mr. Moreli, of the Haymarket Theatre, and Mr. Alexander, of the St. James's, have withdrawn Oscar Wilde's name from the playbills.

QUEENSBERRY'S LAST WORD TO OSCAR.

The Marquess of Queensberry said to an Evening News reporter this afternoon:—

"I have sent a message to Oscar, saying: '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."

A WARRANT APPLIED FOR.

The Central News says:—It is understood that a warrant in connection with the libel case was applied for at five o'clock this evening, and it is believed that the application was granted. The application was made in Sir John Bridge's private room, and the officials are reticent on the subject. Mr. Charles Russell and Mr. Angus Lewis, of the Treasury, were in attendance, and it is further understood that the application for the warrant was made by them.