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London, Friday. Sir Edward Clarke, who appeared for Wilde, to-day accepted the verdict of not guilty against the Marquis of Queensberry, and the jury found the plea of justification proved. The Marquis was at once discharged.

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

The letter written by Mr Russell and accompanying the 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 copy of shorthand notes of trial."

The London Evening News states that it has received four letters from Mr Oscar Wilde written on 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 witness 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 ignomy and shame might result from my prosecuting Lord Queensberry."

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 such public attention.

London, Friday.The hearing of the libel action brought by Mr Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry was resumed to-day at the Old Bailey. Sir E Clarke, Q C; Mr C Mathews, and Mr Travers Humphreys attended to prosecute. Mr Carson, Q C; Mr C F Gill, and Mr A Gill (instructed by Mr Charles Russell), represented the Marquis of Queensberry, : Mr Besley, Q C, with Mr Monckton, watching the proceedings on behalf of Lord Douglas of Hawick, the eldest son of the Marquis.

When the trial was resumed Mr Carson, continuing his address for the defence, said he hoped he had convinced the jury that the defendant was justified in bringing to a climax the association of his son with Mr Wilde. It would be his painful duty to call several young men to tell their own tale. He would show that Taylor acted as an agent for Wilde. Mr Carson remarked with much emphasis that it was a wonder a man like Wilde had been tolerated in London society so long. He regretted to have to call the young man Parker because he had joined the service of his country, and now bore an excellent character.

Mr Carson was continuing his argument when Sir E Clarke and Mr Mathews retired from the court for a moment. Wilde up to this time had 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 yesterday said that he hoped he had said enough regarding Mr Wilde’s letters and literature to influence the jury to relieve him from the necessity of dealing in detail with 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 Mr Wilde in a reference to his letters and literature, he felt that he could not resist a verdict of "not guilty" in regard to the words, "posing as a——." 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 "Dorian Grey and Chameleon."

Sir Edward Clarke’s statement produced a profound sensation in court.

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

Mr 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 VERDICT.

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 rapidly cleared.

THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR INVOKED.

The Press Association, on inquiring 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.

The letter written by Mr Russell, and accompanying the 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 a copy of the shorthand notes of the trial."

WILDE’S RETREAT.

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 court. At the close of the consultation in one of the waiting rooms Wilde hailed a hansom and drove away, leaving Sir E Clarke to withdraw formally from the prosecution.