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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 To an interviewer Wilde stated, in a nervous tone quite unlike his flippant audacity as a witness, that he had withdrawn from the case to spare Lord Alfred Douglas the pain of testifying against his father, adding that he willingly sacrificed himself for his friend.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, April 5. -- Oscar Wilde has been arrested. He was taken to a cell in the Bow Street Station.

His case against the Marquis of Queensberry for libel resulted in a verdict in favor of the defendant. The jury found not only that the defendant was not guilty of libel, but declared, in a subsidiary verdict, that the Marquis of Queensberry's charges were true, and bad been made for the public good. The Solicitor of the Treasury immediately obtained a warrant for Wilde's arrest.

The Old Bailey Courtroom was crowded almost to suffocation this morning when Mr. Carson resumed his speech on behalf of the Marquis of Queensberry. It would be his painful duty, he said, to put upon the witness stand men who would speak freely of their acquaintance with the plaintiff, Wilde. The ages of these men varied from eighteen to twenty-three years. They were of the class of servants and valets, not of Mr. Wilde's station in life, not interested in literature or art, yet they addressed the distinguished dramatist by his first name.

Mr. Carson said that he would produce overwhelming evidence of the immorality of this man Wilde.

Sir Edward Clarke interrupted Mr. Carson. He said he had undertaken a great responsibility in defending Wilde against the charges made by the Marquis of Queensberry. In regard to the literature which Wilde had published, and upon which Mr. Carson had questioned him, he (Sir Edward) had come to the painful conclusion that it could not be expected that the jury would find a verdict of guilty on the actual words used by the defendant.

He had consulted with Wilde in the interim of the adjournment of the court, and, in order to the save the court the painful details connected with the rest of the case, he was prepared to accept a verdict of the jury in regard to Wilde's literature.

The Judge interposed, saying that, if the jury was justified in agreeing upon a verdict on one part of the case they must return a verdict of guilty or not guilty on the entire case.

The jury then rendered a verdict of not guilty, to which Sir Edward Clarke assented, and supplemented its verdict with the declaration that the charges made by the defendant against Wilde, which constituted the libel complained of, were true and that they had been made in the public Interest.

When the verdict was rendered the Marquis of Queensberry left the dock amid loud cheers.

The Judge granted an order requiring Wilde to pay the costs of the defense.

Mr. Wilde hurriedly quitted the court.

The reports previously cabled in regard to Mr. Beerbohm Tree's connection with the case were inaccurate. Mr. Carson explained to the court last evening that Mr. Tree received a copy of a letter written by Wilde to Lord Alfred Douglas, and thereupon sent for Wilde and handed him the copy. Mr. Carson said that Mr. Tree had cabled this information to him, and it tallied perfectly with the account given by Wilde in the witness box. Mr. Carson added that he thought Mr. Tree had acted rightly in the matter

The Judge said that there was not the smallest ground for any suggestion adverse to Mr. Tree, who had acted with perfect propriety.

Sir Edward Clarke agreed with Mr. Carson and the Judge that Mr. Tree could not have done otherwise than he did.

The Marquis of Queensberry's solicitors sent to the Public Prosecutor a copy of the statements of all the witnesses which the defense intended to call to the stand, together with a full shorthand report of the trial as far as it had gone.

The Marquis of Queensberry said to a representative of the United Press:

"I have sent this message to Wilde: 'If the country allows you to leave, ail the better for the country; but if you take my son with you I will follow you wherever you go and shoot you.'"

Sworn informations have been lodged against several persons mentioned in the trial, some of whose names were not made public, and the civil officers are only awaiting the authority of the Treasury Department to make the arrests.

Wilde and a companion drove from the Old Bailey to the Holborn Hotel, where they were joined soon afterward by Lord Alfred Douglas and a companion. The four took luncheon together in a private room, Wilde's carriage remaining in front of the hotel.

The Evening News has received the following letter from Oscar Wilde, written upon the notepaper of the Holborn Viaduct 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."

After leaving the Holborn Hotel, Wilde went to the Westminster Bank, where he threw out the funds to his account. He was constantly shadowed. He returned to the hotel, accompanied by Lord Alfred Douglas only. Remaining a few minutes they drove to Ely Place and thence to the Cadogan HoteL

Before Wilde was taken to his cell, the charge, indicated by his testimony in court, was read to him. He stood with hands in his pockets, silent and apparently unconcerned.

A United Press reporter visited the Haymarket and St. James's Theatres, where Oscar Wilde's plays are running. Mr.Morell, one of the managers of the Haymarket, in reply to the question how the result of the case would affect future business, said he would rather not express an opinion. He would say, however, that Mr. Wilde's name had been taken out of the bills and advertisements of "An Ideal Husband," and from this the public could form its own conclusions.

Mr. George Alexander, manager of the St, James's Theatre, where Oscar Wilde's play, "The Importance of Being Earnest," is running, said:

"When the scandal was first rumored business here was slightly affected, but it is now normal. Mr. Wilde's name has been withdrawn from the bills and advertisements of his comedy, which is the most innocent play in the world. It does not contain a line that could hurt the most tender susceptibilities. Whether the trial will cause a change in the business of the future remains to be seen."

He said also that "The Importance of Being Earnest" would be kept on the Stage pending the public verdict. If he should be compelled to withdraw it, some 150 persons would be thrown out of work, as he had nothing ready to replace it.

It is reported that the Criterion, to which "An Ideal Husband'' was to be transferred from the Haymarket, has declined to put the play on its stage.

The audiences at the Haymarket and St. James's Theatres, where Mr. Wilde's plays are being given, were rather small this evening, but they made no hostile demonstration. At the St, James's there were few persons, excepting those who had bought their tickets in advance. The gallery was somewhat critical, and two or three audible comments confused the players slightly.

The Daily Telegraph will say to-morrow in a leader on Wilde's case:

"It was a just verdict, and must be held to include with Wilde the tendency of his peculiar career, the meaning and the influence of his teachings, and all the shallow and specious arts by which he attempted to establish a cult and even set up new schools of literature and social thought."

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Daniel Frohman, manager of the Lyceum Theatre, where Oscar Wilde's drama, an "Ideal Husband," is being played, said last night, when asked what action he would take regarding the use of Wilde's name in connection with the play, that he had ordered Wilde's name erased from the programmes and advertisements, and that he had just canceled a lot of contracts for printing matter relative to the piece upon which the author's name figures.

The play itself, he said, was a moral one, and there was nothing in it that would shock even the most sensitive. The play will be continued at the house, he said.