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LONDON, May 24. - There was the usual crowd at the Old Bailey courtroom to-day when Sir Edward Clarke addressed the jury in behalf of Oscar Wilde, charged with serious misdemeanors. Wilde was called to the witness box and given a chair, as he seemed to be broken down.

In answer to questions he related how he had been on terms of intimacy with the Marquis of Queensberry's family for years and entirely denied the charges made against him.

Sir Frank Lockwood, Solicitor-General, at the conclusion of the address of Sir Edward Clarke, began a severe cross-examination of the defendant, which lasted over an hour.

The accused said that Lord Alfred Douglas was in Paris, whither he went three weeks ago at his request. Wilde, it appeared, was in constant communication with Lord Alfred.

When Wilde was asked about the famous letters he had written to Lord Douglas, which were read at the time of the first trial, the defendant said it was a beautiful way in which an artist would write to a cultured young man.

Taking up the letter Wilde had written to Lord Alfred praising his "red rose-leaf lips" and "slim gilt soul," that walked "between poetry and passion," Sir Frank asked the defendant whether he considered this letter decent. Wilde replied: "Decency does not come into question."

"Do you understand the meaning of the word?" asked the counsel, sternly.

"Yes," replied Wilde.

Wilde admitted that he had made repeated visits to the rooms of Alfred Taylor, where he met a number of young men. Wilde also admitted his association with the other young men whose names were mentioned in the previous trial.

Sir Edward Clarke briefly re-examined Wilde, and then made his final address to the jury, asking them to save the defendant from the ruin of his reputation, which, he added, had been nearly quenched by the torrent of prejudice in the press. [Applause.]

Sir Frank Lockwood followed for the prosecution, but he had barely begun his address when the court was adjourned for the day.

The Marquis of Queensberry is reported as saying: "I do not wish to see Oscar Wilde further punished. He has suffered enough. I only want to keep the beast from my son. Everyone knows Wilde is no better than Alfred Taylor."

When asked what he thought would be the verdict he said: "I am willing to forfeit 1000 to 1 that Wilde is acquitted. There are many names back of this thing."

PARIS, May 24. - A paper to-day published a telegram from Lord Alfred Douglas, dated Rouen, expressing regret that it was his brother, Lord Douglas of Hawick, and not himself who "corrected" their father.

London, May 24 — There was the usual crowd of persons in the Old Bailey Courtroom today when Sir Edward Clarke addressed the jury in behalf of his client. Oscar Wilde, who is charged with serious misdemeanors. Wilde was called to the witness box and was provided with a chair, as he seemed to be utterly broken down. Wilde, in answer to the questions put to him related how he had been on terms of intimacy with the Marquis of Queensberry’s family for years, and entirely denied the charges made against him.

Sir Frank Lockwood closely examined the defendant regarding his relations with Lord Alfred Douglas, as to how it came to pass that they occupied adjoining rooms, etc. Wilde admitted that he had made repeated visits to the rooms of Alfred Taylor, where he met a number of young men. Wilde also admitted his intimacy with other young men, whose names were mentioned during the previous trial.

Sir Edward Clarke briefly re-examined Wilde, and then made his final address to the jury, asking them to save the defendant from the ruin of his reputation, which, he added, had been nearly quenched by the torrent of prejudice in the press. Sir Frank Lockwood followed for the prosecution, but he had barely begun his address when the court was adjourned for the day.

The Marquis of Queensberry, in an interview, is quoted as saying: "I do not wish to see Wilde further punished. He has suffered enough. I only want to keep the beast from my son." When the Marquis was asked what he thought would be the verdict in Oscar Wilde’s case, he said: "I am willing to forfeit 1000 to 1 that Wilde is acquitted. There are many names back of this thing that say so. I have as much chance of dropping dead in the street today as Oscar Wilde has being of found guilty."