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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."

LONDON, May 24. -- There was the usual crowd of people in the Old Bailey court-room to-day, when Sir Edward Clarke addressed the Jury in behalf of his client, Oscar Wilde. Among those present was Lord Douglas of Hawick, the eldest son of the Marquis of Queensberry.

Sir Edward, at the beginning of his speech, complained of the treatment which Wilde had been subjected to, and said that the defense might well be excused for not putting the defendant in the witness-box again, "broken and unfit for the ordeal as he now is. But," continued Sir Edward, "the defense had resolved to do so."

Shortly afterwards Wilde was called to the witness-box and was provided with a chair, as he seemed to be utterly broken down.

In answer to the questions put to him Wilde 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, the Solicitor-General, at the conclusion of the address of Sir Edward Clarke began a severe cross-examination of Wilde, which lasted over an hour. He said that Lord Alfred Douglas was now in Paris, where he went three weeks ago at Wilde's request. The latter, it appears, was in constant communication with Lord Alfred.

That Famous Letter.

When Wilde was asked about the famous letter which he had written to Lord Alfred Douglas and which was read at the first trial, the defendant said that it was a beautiful way in which an artist would write to a cultured young man. "I look upon it," said Wilde, "as a work of art."

When Sir Frank Lockwood asked Wilde whether he considered this letter to be decent, Wilde replied: "Decency does not come into the question." "Do you understand the meaning of word?" asked counsel sternly. "Yes," replied Wilde.

Sir Frank Lookwood then closely examined the defendant regarding his relations with Lord Alfred Douglas as to how it came to pass that they occupied adjoining rooms, &c. Wilde admitted that he had made repeated visits to rooms of Alfred Taylor, where he met a number of young men.

Wilde also admitted his friendship with young men whose names were mentioned during the previous trial.

Sir Edward Clarke briefly reexamined 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.)

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

Queensberry Is Satisfied.

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.You know I have carried my point and that I have been praised by the best selected jury which ever sat in God's or man's jury-box. Consequently, I do not care what else is now done to Wilde. One of his companions has been found guilty, and everyone in London knows that Wilde is no better than Alfred Taylor."

When the Marquis of Queensberry was asked what he thought would be the verdict in Oscar Wilde's case he said;

"I am willing to forfeit 1,000 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 Wide has of being found guilty."

PARIS, May 24. -- The Temps to-day publishes a telegram from Lord Alfred Douglas, dated Rouen, expressing regret at the fact that it was his brother, Lord Douglas of Hawick, and not himself, who had "corrected" their father.