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London, April 4.

Oscar Wilde explained the effusive language of the letters addressed to Lord Douglas as the natural expression of an artist attracted by a beautiful personality. The Marquis of Queensberry visited his residence and threatened Wilde, to which that gentleman responded with, "You are the most infamous brute in London."

Wilde was subjected to a stringent cross-examination with the view of showing that "Dorian Gray," and some articles in a magazine, "Chameleon," with which he is connected, are of an immoral tendency. Wilde insisted that they are merely an expression of the artistic faculty. His letters to Lord. Douglas were prose poems—extraordinary, perhaps, but not justifying an immoral interpretation. He admitted that he gave one of his alleged blackmailers twenty-one pounds, and lunched with him in a private room afterwards.

The case was adjourned, defendant being admitted to bail.

Oscar Wilde admitted close intimacy with a number of young men, but denied anything improper in it. He paid no regard to social inferiority if his friends were amusing. Lord Douglas's letters showed that he threatened to shoot his father if he attempted to thrash him. The Marquis's letter referred to an eminent statesman, but the reference was political. Wide's case is closed—Mr Carson, in opening the defence declared that the plaintiff's proteges were among the most immoral persons in London. Wildes intimacies were absolutely irreconcileable with his claims as an exponent of culture, and his literature alone justified the charges against him. in conclusion, he claimed that defendant's witnesses, amongst whom was Wood, the chief blackmailer, would prove the case up to the hilt.

The charge of libel against the Marquis of Queensberry was finished to-day, a verdict of "not guilty" being returned. The Jury considered that the charges made by the Marquis of Queensberry were of public benefit.

Wilde's counsel withdrew from the case, and Wilde himself left the Court while his counsel was explaining that the plaintiff's literature and letters justified the plea of the defence that Wilde posed as an immoral person. He explained the reason he withdrew from the case. It was so as to avoid the appalling evidence which would be adduced.

The verdict was received with loud cheers. The Marquis of Queensberry's counsel has sent the Public Prosecutor the statements of witnesses and notes on the evidence in order to prevent a miscarriage of justice.

Later.

Oscar Wilde has been arrested.

April 6.

Oscar Wilde publishes a letter stating that he abandoned his case in order to avoid placing Lord Douglas in the witness box. After a warrant had been issued for Wilde's arrest, the police detained three essential witnesses; Lord Douglas and two men remained in conference with Wilde at the Viaduct Hotel for several hours after the trial, and lunched together in a private room, subsequently they drove to a bank, where Wilde withdrew a large sum of money: he was then lost sight of until arrested in the evening at an hotel in Sloane street. Lord Douglas was much distressed when he found he was unable to bail him out. After the trial the Marquis of Queensberry sent Wilde a message stating that he would shoot him if he took his son abroad. Taylor has also been arrested, and will be charged in conjunction with Wilde. The latter's name has been withdrawn from the playbills of the London and American theatres.

[Special.]

London, April 4.

In the course of his evidence, Mr Wilde explained the effusive language of the letters addressed to Lord Douglas as the natural expression of an artist attracted by a beautiful personality. The Marquis of Queensberry visited his residence and threatened Wilde, to which the latter responded with "You are the most infamous brute in London!"