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The hearing of Mr Oscar Wilde [ . . . ] against the Marquis of Queensberry [ . . . ] at the Old Bailey, London, yesterday with Mr Carson said it would be his [ . . . ] witnesses. THe learned counsel [ . . . ] was a wonder plaintiff had [ . . . ] tolerated in London society so long.

At this juncture Sir Edward Clarke and Mr Mathews retired from court for a [ . . . ] On reappearing the former addressed the court, and he had to make a statement [ . . . ] the gravest responsibility. Mr Carson on Thursday said he hoped he had said enough in [ . . . ] Mr Wilde’s letters and literature to influence the jury, and to relieve him from the [ . . . ] of dealing in detail with other [ . . . ]. Those representing Mr Wilde couldn ot conceal from themselves that the [ . . . ] say Lord Queensberry was [ . . . ] he had done. The position he, SIr Edward, stood in was that without expecting to obtain a verdict he would be [ . . . ] circumstances of a most appalling character. After consulting with Mr Wilde in reference to the letters and literature, he felt he could not resist a verdict of not guilty, and therefore asked on behalf of Mr Wilde to withdraw from the prosecution, and submit to a verdict of "not guilty" in respect to that part of the particulars connected with the publication of "Dorian Grey" and the "Chameleon."

Mr Carson said a verdict of not guilty involved a verdict also of justification.

Mr Justice Collins concurred, adding the jury would also find that the justification was true in substance and in fact, and that the statement was published for the public benefit.

A verdict was accordingly given with costs.

It is understood that a warrant in connection with the case was applied for at five o’clock yesterday afternoon, and it was believed that it was granted.

The application was made to Sir John Bridge in his private room by Mr Charles Russell, son of the Lord Chief Justice, and Mr Angus Lewis, of the Treasury.

(CENTRAL NEWS TELEGRAM.)

LONDON, FRIDAY.Sensational and conflicting rumours are current in London respecting the whereabouts of Mr Oscar Wilde and his immediate intentions. One of these was to the effect that he had left Victoria Station by the boat express for Paris.

We are enabled to state, however, that up to four o’clock this afternoon Wilde was, beyond doubt, still in London. After conferring briefly with his counsel, Sir Edward Clarke, at the Central Criminal Court this morning, Wilde proceeded in company with Lord A. Douglas and two other gentlemen, one of whom was a lawyer, to the Holborn Viaduct Hotel, where Wilde had slept on the previous night on account of the convenient proximity to the court.

The party remained in earnest conference in a private room until one o’clock, which they partook of luncheon.

At a quarter-past two the four men drove on in Wilde’s brougham, which had been waiting out side the hotel for a considerable time. Their destination was a bank in St. James’s, where a large sum of money was drawn out on a cheque payable to "self." From that point Wilde was lost sight of.

Meanwhile, an application had been made at Bow street by, it is understood, Mr Charles Russell, Lord Queensberry’s solicitor in the case, and Mr Angus Lewis, of the Treasury, for a warrant for the arrest of Wilde, and the application was granted by Sir John Bridge and placed without delay in the hands of the police. A description of Wilde was afterwards issued, and his arrest is expected momentarily.

All the railway stations from which trains leave tonight in connection with steamers for foreign ports are being watched by detectives, and Wilde’s description has been sent by telegram to the chiefs of police in British ports with urgent requests that he might be arrested at sight.

It may be stated that the [ . . . ] which [ . . . ] in the information upon which Mr Carson’s masterly cross-examination [ . . . ] were made by ex-Inspector [ . . . ], who lately retired from Scotland Yard, after long and distinguished service in the Metropolitan Detective service.

(LATER.)

Oscar Wilde was arrested shortly after 7 o’clock this evening and taken to Scotland Yard. There he was formally charged. He will be charged in the ordinary course at Bow street Police Court tomorrow morning. Lord Queensberry states that as soon as the trial ended he sent this message to Wilde—"If the country allows you to leave [ . . . ] for the country, but if you take my son with you, I will follow you wherever you go and [ . . . ] you."

The warrant issued for the arrest of Oscar Wilde was executed by Inspector Richards of Scotland Yard, who, with Sergeant Allen, proceeded to the Cadogan Hotel, Sloane street, after [ . . . ] o’clock, and arrested the prisoner. He appeared somewhat surprised when the charge was read over to him, but made no reply, and was immediately taken to New Scotland Yard, and handed over to Inspector Brockwell, who held the warrant. After remaining for some time at Scotland Yard, Oscar Wilde was placed in a four-wheeled cab and conveyed to Bow street, where he arrived at ten minutes past 8 in the custody of Inspectors Brockwell and Richards.

On alighting from the cab, Wilde walked up the steps to the door of the police station briskly, with his hands in his pockets, and was at once placed in the dock and [ . . . ] for Digby. While the charge was being read the prisoner leaned over the dock, and keeping his hands in his pockets, and appearing unconcerned.

The prisoner did not make any reply to the charge, and he was removed for the night to an ordinary cell. Soon after Wilde had been removed to the cells a man drove up in a hansom cab, bearing a portmanteau containing some of the prisoner’s clothes. [ . . . ] the bag into the station, but the police would not permit him to leave it, and he had to carry it away again. Lord Alfred Douglas [ . . . ] Bow street in the course of the evening. When the four-wheeler containing Wilde and the police inspectors drove up in front of Bow street station several newspaper reporters were waiting there, but there was no excitement of any kind.

The prisoner was not recognised by anybody save the reporters. He will be brought up before the magistrate and charged tomorrow, when, it is understood, evidence of a formal character only will be tendered.

London, Friday.

The hearing of the action brought by Mr Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry was resumed to-day at the Central Criminal Court.

Mr Carson continued his address for the defence. He remarked with much emphasis that it was a wonder the man Wilde had been tolerated in London society so long.

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

Wilde had up to this point been absent.

Sir E Clarke on returning whispered to Mr Carson, who resumed his seat.

Sir E Clarke then, addressing the Court, said he had to make a statement under the gravest responsibility. Mr Carson, by saying yesterday that he hoped he had said enough regarding Mr Wilde's letters and literature to influence the jury, relieved him from the necessity of dealing in detail into the other issues. Those representing Mr Wilde had therefore before them a terrible anxiety, and could not conceal from themselves what the judgment of the jury might be, and that the jury might say Lord Queensberry was justified in using the words he had done. The position he (Sir Edward) stood in was that without expecting to obtain a verdict he would be going on from day to day investigating circumstances of a most appalling character. Under those circumstances he hoped his lordship would think he was taking the right course. After consulting with Mr Wilde in reference to the letters and literature he felt that he could not resist a verdict of not guilty in regard to the words used. He therefore asked on behalf of Mr Wilde to withdraw from the prosecution and submit to a verdict of "not guilty" in respect to that part of the particulars connected with the publication of "Dorian Gray" and the "Chameleon."

Sir Edward Clark's statement produced a profound sensation in court.

Mr Carson said the verdict of "not guilty" involved a verdict also of justification.

Justice Collins said that if the jury found a verdict of not guilty they would also find that the justification set up was true in substance and in fact, and that the statement was published for the public benefit.

The jury, after a moment's consideration, returned a verdict of "not guilty" against the Marquis of Queensberry, the foreman adding that what he had written was published for the public benefit.

The Judge thereupon ordered the Marquis of Queensberry's discharge from custody, and certified for costs.

The Marquis, on descending from the dock, was heartily congratulated by his friends, and the court soon rapidly cleared.

London, Friday Evening.

The Press Association on enquiring of Lord Queensberry's solicitors (Messrs Russell and Day) is informed that it is not his lordship's intention to take the initiative in any criminal prosecution of Oscar Wilde, but after the finding of the jury this morning in the libel action the whole of the documents with proofs of the evidence upon which the defence had intended to rely were forwarded to the Public Prosecutor, the Hon Hamilton Cuffe.

As was surmised Wilde was in the precincts of the Old Bailey when the speech for the defence of Lord Queensberry was resumed. It was for the purpose of holding a conference with Wilde that his leading counsel left the Court. At the close of the consultation in one of the waiting rooms Wilde bailed a hansom and drove away, leaving Sir E Clarke to formally withdraw from the prosecution.

The letter written by Mr Russell and accompanying documents is as follows—"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 the copy of the shorthand notes of the trial."

Mr Angus Lewis of the Treasury, who was accompanied by Detective-Inspector Brockwell, attended at Bow street this afternoon and said he would like some private conversation with Sir John Bridge. The magistrate granted the request, and it is understood that Mr Lewis intimated that an application might be made during the day with reference to an important case which is at present engaging much public attention.

The London Evening News states that it has received four letters from Mr Oscar Wilde, written on the notepaper of a Holborn Hotel."TO THE EDITOR."It would be impossible for me to prove 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."

London, Friday Night.

The Press Association says:—Mr Oscar Wilde was arrested between six and seven o'clock this evening, and conveyed to Bow street police station, where he arrived at 10 past eight. The arrest was made by Inspector Richards at half past six at Cadogan Hotel, Sloane street, Chelsea, where Mr. Wilde, it appears, drove after leaving Holborn Viaduct Hotel. Mr. Wilde's visit to the Hotel was of a casual character, he being accompanied by two gentlemen. Throughout the day the accused had been closely followed by two officers, and when Inspector Richards entered the hotel and asked for Mr Wilde it was stated that he was not staying there. This was virtually correct, but when the inspector insisted that he was in the establishment and explained the circumstances he was conducted to a room in the establishment where Mr Wilde was engaged with his two friends. The inspector informed him that he was a police officer and that he would arrest him, a warrant being out for his arrest. Mr Wilde made no reply. Mr. Wilde, in custody of the two officers, was at once conducted to a cab which conveyed the party Scotland Yard, where Inspector Brockwell was waiting with a warrant for Mr Wilde's arrest. The formality of reading the warrant to the accused and the administration of the statutory caution having been gone through, Mr Wilde hazarded no remark. The trio, Mr Wilde, Inspector Richards, and Inspector Brockwell, then drove to Bow street, where they arrived at ten minutes past eight o'clock in a four wheeled cab. The accused was the first to alight from the vehicle and walked direct into the station, followed by the detectives. He was attired in a long, black, frock coat, dark trousers and silk hat. His demeanour was that of a gentleman, self-confident of his own innocence of a charge alleged against him. He was at once placed in the prisoners' dock in the charge room, and while the charge was being taken he stood with his hands in his pocket. Inspector Digby, who took the charge, read it to the prisoner, and warned him that anything he might say could be used in evidence against him. Mr Wilde maintained his reticence and indifferent air. Having been searched, Mr Wilde was removed to the cells. Shortly after Mr Wilde's arrival at Bow street a Mr Rosse, a friend of the prisoner, drove up to the station 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, Mr Rosse returned to his cab with the bag, having been refused permission to leave it. Later Lord Alfred Douglas visited Bow street to inquire as to the possibility of accused being bailed out, but it was explained that the prisoner was arrested on a warrant for alleged criminal offences which admitted of no bail until prisoner had appeared before the magistrate. Lord Douglas appeared much distressed when he was informed that on no consideration could the authorities entertain his application. He was respectfully informed that the prisoner had a cell to himself, and had been supplied with a blanket and other requisites to make him as comfortable as police regulations would allow. It will be Mr Wilde's privilege to receive food sent him from a neighbouring hotel if he so desires pending his transferrence from the cell in the police station to the cells of the adjoining police court at ten o'clock to-morrow morning. Sir John Bridge, who signed the warrant for his arrest, will investigate the charge against Mr Wilde, which involves a penal offence.

The Central News says—After conferring briefly with his counsel, Sir Edward Clarke, at the Central Criminal Court this morning, Wilde proceeded in company with Lord A Douglas and two other gentlemen, one of whom was a lawyer, to the Holborn Viaduct Hotel, where Wilde had slept on the previous night on account of its convenient proximity to the court. The party remained in earnest conference in a private room until one o'clock, when they partook of luncheon, at which much wine was drunk. At a quarter past two the four men drove off in Wilde's brougham, which had been waiting outside the hotel for a considerable time. Their destination was a bank in St James's, where a large sum of money was drawn out on a cheque payable to "self."

The Central News says—Lord Queensberry states that as soon as the trial ended he 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."

Both Mr Oscar Wilde's plays, "The Ideal Husband" and "The Importance of Being Earnest," were produced to-night as usual at the Haymarket and at the St James 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 buildings reserved and prepaid, the audience was smaller 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 trifling character.