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LONDON, April 3.

Immense crowds attend the trial of the Marquis of Queensberry on a charge of libelling Oscar Wilde. The evidence adduced to-day showed that Wilde had paid heavy blackmail for his gushing letters to Lord Alfred Douglas (the Marquis's son), which were found in pockets of old clothes when given away. The defence is based on the revelation of these letters. Wilde was subjected to a stringent cross-examination with a view of showing that "Dorian Grey" and some articles in the magazine Chameleon, with which he is connected, are of an immoral tendency. Wilde insisted that they are merely expressions 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 £25 and lunched with him in a private room afterwards. The case was adjourned and defendant admitted to bail.

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

Mr Wilde admitted the close intimacy with a number of young men, but denied anything improper in it. He paid no regard to inferiority if the friends were amusing Lord Douglas. Letters showed that he threatened to shoot his father if he attempted to thrash him. The Marquis' letter referred to eminent statesmen, but the reference was political.

Wilde's case is closed.

Mr Causon, in opening the defence, declared that plaintiff's proteges were among the most immoral persons in London. Wilde's intimacies were absolutely irreconcilible with his claims as an exponent of culture. His literature along justified the charges against him. In conclusion, he claimed that defendant's witnesses, amongst whom was Wood, the chief blackmailer, would prove the case to the hilt.

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!"

Later.

The charge of libel against the Marquis of Queensberry finished to day, a verdict of not guilty being returned.

The jury considered that the chares made by the Marquis were of public benefit.

Wilde's counsel withdrew from the case.

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

The vervict was received with cheers.

It is expected that Wilde will be arrested. No warrant has yet been applied for, but counsel for the Marquis has sent the Public Prosecutor the statement of witnesses and notes on the evidence, in order to prevent a miscarriage of justice.