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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.

LONDON, April 6. - Oscar Wilde's friend Taylor was arrested and taken to the Bow street police station this morning.

Wilde was arraigned before a magistrate this morning and charged with inciting young men to commit and also with having actually committed immoralities himself.

When Wilde was arraigned in the Bow street police court this morning, Alfred Taylor was also placed in the prisoners' dock, charged with being accessory. As Taylor stepped into the dock Wilde smilingly recognized him. Taylor is a man of medium size, with sharp features and a fair complexion.

Charles Parker, 19, was the first witness examined. He gave in detail the particulars of his introduction to Wilde by Taylor, and stated that the latter said Wilde was "good for money."

Parker testified that he had frequently dined with Wilde at various restaurants, and detailed the conversation between them on those occasions. He also told of visits to the Savoy Hotel with Wilde and of meeting Wilde at his chambers in St. James place. He made frequent visits to the latter place. Parker described the conduct of himself and Wilde at these meetings, and swore that he had received money and other presents upon almost every occasion.

The story told by Parker, if true, proves the case of the treasury against Wilde.

Counsel for Wilde and Taylor reserved their right to cross-examine Parker.

William Parker, a brother of the first witness called, was placed on the stand and confirmed the story of the first meeting between his brother and Wilde in March, 1893.

Charles Parker was bound over in £85 to give evidence in the Old Bailey proceedings.

The landlady of the house in which Taylor lodged gave testimony regarding the youths who attended the tea parties given by Taylor. She said she heard Taylor addressed somebody as Oscar, but did not recognize Wilde as having been one of her lodgers’ visitors.

WILDE HAD GIVEN HIM MONEY.

Alfred Wood, the man whose passage to America was paid by Wilde, testified that he met Wilde at the Cafe Royale in January, 1893. He went to Wilde's house, No. 16 Tite street, Chelsea, S. W., where he remained with Wilde in a room three hours. He said he was drunk at the time of this visit. He also stated that Wilde had often given him money and had visited him to his lodgings, but strenuously denied that any wrong-doing had occured during these visits.

The witness said Wilde had given him altogether £35, upon the receipt of which sum he had handed over to Wilde a number of letters written by him. Subsequently he went to America, remaining abroad fourteen months. He desired to go to America, he said, to get away from Wilde and certain other persons who are now absent from England.

The next witness was a youth named Mevor, who absolutely denied that he had been guilty of any misconduct with Wilde, and also denied positively that he had admitted to the Marquis of Queensberry or the latter’s solicitor that there had been anything wrong in his relations with Wilde.

Both Wilde and Taylor were remanded to jail without bail.

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 the statement the writer of the letter says:

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

Oscar Wilde still has a 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 them. He is altogether the manliest-looking of the family. 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 everyone of his family, except his father, has refused to believe the accusations against Wilde. He, himself, he said, was willing at anytime to go up on the witness stand in Wilde's behalf, and he was vehement in his denunciation of Wilde’s counsel for having withdrawn the suit.

The maximum penalty for the crime with which Wilde may be charged is life imprisonment, and the minimum twenty years. Until 1894, when the law was modified, the penalty for the offence was death. One thing is certain, however, that 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.

The purient plays of Wilde and the cognate productions "The Second Mrs. Tanqueray" and the "Notorious Mrs. Ebbsmith," which are now called "Pinerotic," are doomed, and there is a strong reaction towards a healthier treatment of stage representations, while the current decadent literature will also get a set-back.

COGHLAN REFUSES WILDE'S PLAY.

NEW YORK, April 6 - A Detroit special says that after last night's performance of "A Woman of No Importance," by Oscar Wilde, Rose Coghlan made the following announcement:

"That is the last time I will ever present that piece. I cannot take Wilde's name off the bills without breaking my contract, and I shall simply drop the play entirely."

The opinion of the people is against the play since the publication of the scandal, as is shown by the falling off in advance sales.

WILDE'S PLAY TO BE WITHDRAWN.

NEW YORK, April 6. - Manager Frohman announces that Oscar Wilde's play, "An Ideal Husband," will be withdrawn from the Lyceum Theatre after this week.