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LONDON, April 6.––Although Oscar Wilde is languishing in jail as a criminal without bail on a heinous charge, he still has a number of influential friends who are zealous in his defense, notwithstanding that number of influential friends who are zealous in his defence, notwithstanding that they are intimate enough with him to know most of the secrets of his private life.

Lord Douglas of Hawick, second and eldest living son of the Marquis of Queensberry, is one of these. He is altogether the manliest looking of these. Before the death of his elder brother, Viscount Drumlanrig, he was well and favorably known as plain Percy Douglas. He has an unsmirched reputation and entirely differs in every respect from his effeminate next younger brother, Lord Alfred Douglas. Since his return from Australia last fall Lord Douglas of Hawick has been an almost constant associate of Oscar Wilde. In an interview this afternoon he said that every one in his family, excepting his father, has refused to believe the accusations against Wilde. He himself he said, was willing at any time to go upon the witness stand in Wilde’s behalf, and he was vehement in his denunciation of Wilde's Counsel for having withdrawn the suit.

No matter what may be the outcome of the case, whether Wilde goes free or is sent to prison, the death knell of Wildeism has been rung and the corpse is prepared for burial. The prurient plays of Wilde and the cognate productions, "The Second Mrs. Tanqueray," and "The Notorious Mrs. Ebbsmith," which are now called "Dinerotic," are doomed, and there is a strong reaction towards a healthier treatment of stage representations, while the current decadent literature will also get a setback.

Archibald Edward Douglas, brother of the Marquis of Queensberry, has written a letter repudiating the statement made to-day in the course of an interview by Lord Douglas of Hawick, eldest living son of the Marquis, to the effect that no member of the family except his father believes the charges against Wilde. In refutation of this statement the writer of the letter says:

"My mother, my sister and myself believe the allegations made against Oscar Wilde."

The charge against Wilde is meantime being prosecuted under the Criminal Law Amendment Act, which classes his offense as a misdemeanor, the maximum penalty for which is two years imprisonment for each conviction.

Manager Frohman announces that Oscar Wilde’s play, "An Ideal Husband," will be withdrawn from the Lyceum Theatre after this week.

LONDON, April 6. - Most all observers of English character would have declared it impossible to arouse the phlegmatic conscience and emotions of a nation to such a pitch of intensity as is today manifesting itself in all classes.

The horror, the loathing, the anger which the revelations in connection with the Wilde-Queensberry case have caused can be compared only with one of those whirlwinds of passion which once in a few decades suddenly sweeps over a nation, and by its very violence restore confidence in human nature.

Not until today, apparently, has the country realized that a moral pestilence in the atmosphere has long been doing deadly work. Already there are signs that the popular revenge and reform will be indiscriminating and unreasoning in their work.

The finger of suspicion is already carrying condemnation wherever it is pointed, and many will suffer fearful social penalties who are absolutely innocent; but the general effect of the great onslaught of public opinion which has now begun will be salutary and for the purifying of the nation.

The best sign of all is that Englishmen are ashamed. It is the first time your correspondent has ever seen a manifestation of this emotion among them. They feel that a deep, black, national disgrace has been uncovered, and the feeling is the more poignant because it is new to them. Their anger against the human reptiles who have brought this shame upon them is indescribable. It not only demands the swiftest and severest punishment, but it has been instantly turned against every art, every fad and every innovation with which those accused or suspected have been identified.

Today's newspapers are unanimous, for instance, in pronouncing the doom of estheticism and everything connected with that cult.

Regarding the measures which society, now thoroughly aroused and exasperated, will employ for dealing with this evil, it may be said that the government has wisely decided upon sharp, rapid and severe action. The evidence which has accumulated in the last few days is ample for the condemnation of several leaders of this abominable coterie which has its ramifications throughout Europe. They will be arrested and railroaded as fast as possible to penal servitude.

They promptly began today by arresting Alfred Taylor, whom the police say has long been known as a leader of this infamous band. His father, who was a prominent city official, and once close to the lord mayor’s chair, left him an immense fortune, which he has used to gratify every appetite. He spent $60,000 furnishing a house which is the headquarters of his coterie of friends.

The victims of himself and crew were dazzled by the oriental luxuries of the place. One of the features of the drawing room, to which daylight is never admitted, is a marble fountain distributing perfume instead of water. The police searched the whole place yesterday.

Both Wilde and Taylor were committed for trial without bail in Bow st today, after an overwhelming mass of revolting evidence had been given by the victims. Prison life is expected to have an immediate effect on men who are accustomed to every luxury and indulgence, and Wilde was much depressed after his night's confinement.

The police have reason to believe that today's exposure is already causing a panic-stricken exodus of many persons from England, such as followed the Cleveland st scandal a few years ago, and there are some who are not unknown to society among them.

Archibald Edward Douglas, brother of the marquis of Queensberry, has written a letter repudiating the statement made today in the course of an interview by Lord Douglas of Hawich, eldest living son of the marquis, to the effect that no member of the family except his father believes the charges against Wilde. In refutation of this statement the writer of the letter says: "My mother, my sister and myself believe the allegations made against Oscar Wilde."

The charge against Wilde is meantime being prosecuted under the criminal law amendment act, which classes his offence as a misdemeanor, the maximum penalty for which is two years imprisonment for each continuation.

Wilde and Taylor were remanded in custody. A request was made that the prisoners be admitted to bail, but bail was refused.