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LONDON, April 30. - The Old Bailey was less crowded today than heretofore when court was opened for what was expected to be the last day of the trial of Oscar Wilde and Alfred Taylor on the charge of serious misdemeanor, etc. Counsel for the crown withdrew the charge of conspiracy against Wilde, saying he desired to avoid any difficulty in placing the prisoners in the witness stand.

Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., counsel for the accused, demanded a verdict of not guilty on this count, but the judge refused to allow it. Sir Edward Clarke in his opening speech for the defense, denounced the conduct of a large section of the press, saying it prejudiced the case of his clients and imperiled the interests of justice. Wilde was then placed upon the stand and absolutely denied there was a word of truth in the charges of indecency brought against him. He answered the questions of Sir Edward Clarke in subdued tones.

During the examination of the prisoner by his counsel, it was apparent that many of Wilde's friends were present. Sir Edward Clarke claimed that Wilde was a martyr and he accepted a verdict of guilty in the Queensbury[sic] case only because it was evident that it could not be properly tried then. But it would now be determined on a proper issue, according to counsel. When Wilde was placed in the dock it was evident he seemed to have lost all the swagger which so disgusted all who witnessed it during the former trial.

C.F. Gill, on behalf of the prosecution, began the examination on the same lines as that of Edward M. Carson, who defended the Marquis of Queensbury[sic] against the charge of libel. He quoted from a sonnet to Lord Alfred Douglass[sic] in which occured:

"I am that love, but dare not speak its name."

He asked what was the nature of the love represented in that poem. Wilde, with marked deliberation and emphasis, answered:

"It is a love not understood in this century; it is a love of David for Jonathan - deep, spiritual affection, as pure as it is perfect. It is something this age does not understand. It mocks at it and sometimes puts one into the pillory."

As Wilde finished the answer there were loud cheers from the gallery, which called forth a rebuke from the judge, who threatened to eject those who took part in the demonstration. After a short cross-examination, during which Wilde denied everything, Charles Parker was examined and cross-examined.

It is only fair play for a man who is down, and charged with crimes so abominable that they are nameless, and therefore the accusers have all the advantages, to say that yesterday on the stand he "absolutely denied that there was any word of truth in the charges against him." He had many friends present who utterly disbelieve the testimony of the totally depraved creatures who have appeared as witnesses. The sonnet that Wilde wrote to Lord Alfred Douglas was quoted: "I am that love, but dare not speak its name." Wilde was asked what that meant, and the press report says:

"Wilde, with marked deliberation and emphasis, answered: ‘It is a love not understood in this century. It is the love of David for Jonathan - a deep, spiritual affection, as pure as it is perfect. It is something this age does not understand. It mocks at it and sometimes puts one into the pillory.' As Wilde finished his answer there were loud cheers from the gallery."

Sir Edward Clarke, who withdrew from the case in the Queensberry prosecution, appeared for Wilde and made a masterly speech, saying Oscar was a martyr. The jury in Wilde's case has disagreed, which means that the prosecution has failed. The verdict is at least "not proven," and it is not likely the case will come to trial again.