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The collapse of Oscar Wilde's case, and subsequent arrest (say the London correspondents of the New York papers), on the 5th, caused a sensation without parallel in London since the exposure and flight of the forger Pigott. The poor fool imagined it still possible to brazen it out, so he persuaded his lawyer, who refused to go on with the case, to bring the trial to a close by withdrawing the charges against Lord Queensberry.

This was done, and then the fact was brought home to Wilde that although nominally prosecutor, it was he and not the Marquis of Queensberry who was really on trial. Even the prompt verdict of the jury declaring explicitly that the infamous charge against him was justified did not make the strange creature realise his position.

He wrote a note to the evening newspaper, declaring that he was unable to prove his innocence, except by putting Lord Alfred Douglas in the witness box, and that he preferred to suffer shame rather than allow the son to testify against the father.

This was simply imbecile, because nothing has been adduced in the trial about the relations between Wilde and Lord Douglas. There is reason to believe the disgraced man was prepared to flee from the country, but the English law for once acted with commendable promptness. Red tape was cut. The Public Prosecutor applied for a warrant within two hours after the dramatic collapse of the case in court, and tonight the man who a few days ago was a pampered exquisite lies on a plank bed in an eight-by-four cell in the Bow-street police station.

The charge against him, for some reason not explained, is not felony, but misdemeanour, and the maximum penalty is two years at hard labour, but the Grand Jury may change the indictment to a more serious offence.

He must remain in gaol until the trial takes place in May, for the magistrate is certain to refuse to accept bail.

The London newspapers have printed far more about the matter than has been telegraphed to the American press. The great morning dailies like the "Times" and "Telegraph" have given their readers 6,000 to 12,000 words daily of the court proceedings.

Many seats which had been purchased at the Haymarket and St. James Theatres, where Wilde's plays, "The Ideal Husband," and "The Importance of Being Earnest," are running, were empty tonight. The audiences were small and there was a smaller proportion of ladies than usual, but no demonstration of any kind.

The "Leader" published an interview with Lord Douglas, in which the latter says: "Myself and every member of the family except father disbelieve all the charges. We think them simply part of the persecution father has carried on against us ever since I can remember, and that Mr Wilde and his counsel are to blame for not showing, as they should have done, that that was the fact."

The "Chronicle" says: It suffices us to know as some return for undamming the public tidal wave that our life is rid forever of a pestiferous poser of decadence which has received its death blow, and the way is cleared for increased wholesomeness in life. We seem for some unhappy purpose to have been shuddering witnesses of a revival of society under the late Roman empire, or against the dark background of the Italian Renaissance.

LONDON, April 5 - The career of Oscar Wilde ended today in blackest infamy.

All London is saying tonight that it is a pity the miserable creature had not sufficient pluck to blow out his brains before the police seized him and put him behind bolts and bars to await the punishment for the crimes of which he is already proved guilty.

Those who were his friends until his guilt was established by his own admission under yesterday's merciless cross examination urged him last night to take the shortest road to oblivion, which, they declared, was the only proper sequel to the exposure of his character.

But he imagined it still possible to brazen it out, so he persuaded his lawyer, who refused to go on with the case, to bring the trial to a close by withdrawing the charges against Queensberry.

This was done, and then the fact was speedily brought home to Wilde that although nominally the prosecutor, it was he, and not the Marquis of Queensberry who was really on trial.

Even the prompt verdict of the jury declaring explicitly that the infamous charge against him was true, did not make the strange creature realize his position. He wrote a note to an evening newspaper, declaring that he was unable to prove his innocence except by putting Lord Alfred Douglas in the witness box, and that he preferred to suffer shame rather than to allow the son to testify against his father. This was simply imbecile, because nothing has been adduced in the trial about the relations between Wilde and Lord Douglas.

There is reason to believe that the disgraced man was prepared to flee from the country.

But English law for once acted with commendable promptness. Red tape was cut. The public prosecutor applied for a warrant within two hours after the dramatic collapse of the case in court, and tonight the man who a few days ago was a pampered exquisite, lies on a plank bed in an 8x4 cell in the Bow st police station.

The charge against him, for some reason not explained, is not felony, but misdemeanor, and the maximum penalty is two years at hard labour, but the grand jury may change the indictment to a more serious offense.

He must remain in jail until the trial takes place, in May, for the magistrate is certain to refuse to accept bail.

The cynical and supercilious bravado which Wilde manifested during the trial changed when he found himself in custody. He listened in silence to the reading of the warrant. He had been aware for an hour or two that escape was impossible, for detectives had been closely following him.

He refused to say a word to the officers or to others. He asked at the police station for a special cell, and that his valet be allowed to bring him his portmanteau. The police curtly refused all requests, and locked him up like an ordinary prisoner.

It is impossible to describe the sensation which the case has created in London. The Cleveland st scandal of a few years ago was bad enough, but the public interest then was mild, compared to the talk created by this case. It has been the only subject discussed wherever men have congregated, for the last few days.

London newspapers have printed far more about the matter than has been telegraphed to the American press. Great morning dailies, like the Times and Telegraph, have given their readers 6000 to 12,000 words daily of the court proceedings. The St James Gazette achieved distinction yesterday by placarding London with the announcement that it was the only paper printing no report of the evidence in the Wilde-Queensberry trial. A lively controversy has begun over the duty of the press in the matter.

Many seats which had been purchased at the Haymarket and St James theaters, where Wilde’s plays are running, were empty tonight. The audiences were small and there was a smaller proportion of women than usual, but no demonstration of any kind.