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The collapse of Oscar Wilde's case and subsequent arrest, says the correspondent of the 'New York World' on 5th April, have cause a sensation without parallel in London since the exposure and flight of the forger Pigott during the sitting of the Parnell Commission. Still, since Wilde's first day's testimony the result was foreseen. The expectation was that the jury would stop the trial and return a verdict for Lord Queensberry. Wilde's lawyers acted wisely in consenting to a verdict at the stage the suit had reached. If Lord Queensberry's witnesses had been examined the judge would have had no recourse, but must have issues a warrant for Wilde's arrest on a charge entailing as a maximum a penalty of twenty years' imprisonment, but upon the evidence already unfolded, if Wilde is convicted, it can only be of a misdemeanor, for which the maximum penalty is two years' imprisonment. Wilde looked a changed man this morning as he slunk into the court buildings. His complexion was ghastly, and altogether he had the aspect of a man who had passed a wakeful and anxious night. To an interviewer Wilde stated, in a nervous tone quite unlike his flippant audacity as a witness, that he had withdrawn from the case to spare Lord Alfred Douglas the pain of testifying against his father, adding that he willingly sacrificed himself for his friend. That was the hollowest "bluff." The truth is that Wilde's chief lawyer, Sir Edward Clarke, decided after the close of Thursday's proceedings to withdraw from the suit. This decision was immediately communicated to Oscar, hence the restless, hopeless night he passed. Wilde's lawyers say that up to that time he had never evinced the slightest appreciation of the enormity of the accusations against him. It was only when the imminent prospect of his taking Lord Queensberry's place in the dock dawned upon him that he lost his self-command The mass of testimony ready to be given against him, as foreshadowed by Lord Queensberry's counsel, took Wilde completely back. The 'Word's' correspondent hears that this testimony was tendered by the police to Lord Queensberry's lawyers, it having accumulated during their investigations. They had planned a public prosecution if the case had proceeded. It is rumored that one of the reasons why Sir Edward Clarke decided to stop the trial was that to go on would have involved the disclosure of the names of distinguished personages, but this story is discredited. If Wilde had escaped to the Continent he would have been safe from arrest, as he could not have been extradited under the charge. It was reported he had fled, but he was seen in Chelsea at 4 p.m. to-day, and was arrested by 7 p.m. Mrs Wilde, who is distracted with grief at the turn affairs have taken, has about £500 a year of her own. For the last three years she has received no financial help from her husband.

Ever since the Police Court proceedings the bookings for both Wilde's pieces have steadily declined. The London public will never tolerate the performance of any more of his plays. Thus his principal means of livelihood is gone, and as he lived very extravagantly he has nothing from the large income he has had for some years.

FLIGHT PROJECTED.

A later London cable says:—"Oscar Wilde was arrested by a detective of Scotland Yard this afternoon on charges growing out of his own evidence given in the libel suit against Lord Queensberry, which was decided against the dramatist to-day. The warrant was issued on the application of Sir George Lewis on behalf of the Public Prosecutor. After the trial this afternoon Wilde went to the Westminster Bank, where he drew out the funds to his account, after which he was constantly shadowed. He returned to his hotel, accompanied by Lord Alfred Douglas, only remaining a few minutes, after which they drove off to Ely place, and thence to the Cadogan Hotel, where they vanished. The Scotland Yard authorities issued descriptions of Wilde, and spread them over the city, and he was captured before he could get out to the country, as was evidently his intention. He was taken to Scotland Yard and locked up; then he was taken to Bow street and placed in the dock. At the police station he stood with his hands in his pockets while the charge against him was being taken. The police inspector then read the charge aloud, and asked Wilde if he had anything to say, adding the usual warning that anything he said might be used against him. The prisoner, apparently indifferent, made no reply. He was then searched, after which he was locked in a cell. Subsequently Lord Alfred Douglas went to the police station and inquired whether Wilde would be admitted to bail. The police inspector explained that Wilde was arrested for a criminal offence, which did not allow of bail being accepted until he had been arraigned in court. Lord Alfred seemed greatly distressed by this information. Sworn informations have been lodged against several persons mentioned in the trial, some of whose names were not made public. They will be arrested."

WILDE'S EXPLANATION.

The 'Evening News' to-day received the following letter from Oscar Wilde, written upon note paper of the Holborn Hotel:—"It would have been impossible for me to have proved my case without putting Lord Alfred Douglas in the witness-box against his father. He was extremely anxious to go into the witness-box but, I would not let him. Rather than put him in so painful a position I determined to withdraw from the case and bear upon my own shoulders whatever ignominy and shame might result from my prosecution of the Marquis of Queensberry."—Oscar Wilde.

London, Friday Evening.

The hearing of the libel action brought by Mr. Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry was resumed today at the Central Criminal Court before Mr. Justice Collins and a common jury.

Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C. M P; Mr Charles Mathews, and Mr Travers Humphreys are counsel for Mr Oscar Wilde. Mr B. Carson, Q C MP ; Mr G F Gill, and Mr A Gill appeared for the Marquis; and Mr Besley, Q C, and Mr Monckton hold a watching brief for Lord Douglas of Hawick.

The galleries and the body of the Court were again throned by half-past nine o’clock, and until the re-appearance of the learned judge barristers and members of the public spent their time in pursuing 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 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 cost, disclosing an under-garment of a moss-green hue and a neat while 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 bringing to a climax in the way he did the connection between his son and Mr Oscar Wilde. 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 their own tale. He would show that Taylor acted as procurer for Wilde. It had been said by Wilde in this 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 much emphasis, "It is a wonder this man Wilde has been tolerated in London society as long as he has," Mr Carson proceeded to details as to the conduct of 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 that young man Parker, for he has since entered the service of his country, and has had no black mark against him since putting her Majesty’s uniform. He bears an excellent character, and I trust his past experience has been a lesson to him." Mr Carson then characterized Wilde’s behavior 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, as put public school coolers on his hat. The facts in regard to this boy would not have been accepted had they been proved out of any person’s mouth except that of Wilde himself. They almost passed belief. Mr Carson was continuing his arguments 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 which I do under a feeling of the 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 that he hoped he had yesterday said enough in dealing with these topics to influence the jury, and to relieve him from the necessity of dealing in detail with the other issues of 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 the conduct which had been admitted might not improbably induce the jury to say that when Lord Queensberry used those words " posing as a — " he was using words for which there was a sufficient justification—that as a father he was entitled to use two words under the circumstances, and to be relieved from a criminal charge in respect of the statement. In our view we thought 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 favor 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 the circumstances I hope your lordship will think I am taking a right course, which I take after communication with Mr Oscar Wilde, in saying that having regard to what has already been addressed by my learned friend, Mr Carson, in respect the matters connected with the literature and the letters. I feel that he could not resist "posing as a —." 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 charge, if I now interpose and say on my 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."

This statement of the son and learned gentlemen 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 it 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 "posing as a —" 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 I 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 is 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.

The Marquis 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 excited conversation, but with the disappearance of the learned judge form the tribunal the scene ended and the court was rapidly cleared.

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 trembly anxious to go into the box, and 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."

Mr Angus Lewis, of the Treasury, who was accompanied by Detective-Inspector Brockwell, attended at the Bow street, London, 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 Press Association on inquiry of Lord Queensberry’s solicitors (Russell and Day) is informed that it is not his lordship’s intention to take the initiative in any criminal prosecution of Oscar Wilde, bur 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 defense had intended to rely, were forwarded to the Public Prosecutor, the Hon Hamilton Caffe.

The letter written by Mr Russell, with the accompanying document, is as follows:— "in order that there may be no miscarriage of justice, I think in 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."

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

The Press Association says its is understood in connection with this case that a warrant was applied for at five o’clock this afternoon and it is believed that it was granted. The application was to Sir John Bridge in his private room, Mr Charles Russell (son of the Lord Chief Justice) and Mr Angus Lewis, of the Treasury, being in attendance. The officials were naturally reticent on the subject.