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LONDON, ENG., April 30. -- In Old Bailey to-day Oscar Wilde testified in his own behalf. In poetic language he denied the charges against him. During his argument for the defense Sir Edward Clarke appealed to the jury not to convict Wilde unless the evidence against him was overwhelming, and asked the jury to liberate from a terrible position "one of the most renowned, accomplished men of letters."

LONDON, April 30. - The Old Bailey was less crowded this morning when the court opened for what was expected to be the last day of the trial of Oscar Wilde and Alfred Taylor. Counsel for the Crown withdrew the charge of conspiracy against Wilde, saying that he desired to avoid any difficulty in placing the prisoners in the witness box.

Sir Edward Clarke, counsel for the accused men, who will be remembered as having withdrawn from the Queensberry case, where he acted as counsel for Wilde in the prosecution of the Marquis on the charge of libel, which charge fell to the ground, then demanded a verdict of not guilty on the count of conspiracy, but the judge refused to allow it.

WILDE AS A MARTYR.

Sir Edward made a masterly speech in opening for the defense. He claimed that Wilde was a martyr, and that he had accepted a verdict of not guilty in the Queensberry case only because it was evident that it could not be properly tried then. But it could now be determined on a proper issue, according to counsel.

Sir Edward contended that there was no real evidence against Wilde except that of blackmailers, whose testimony should be utterly discredited. Counsel then appealed to the jury not to convict his client unless the evidence against him was overwhelming, and asked the jury to liberate from a terrible position "one of the most renowned and accomplished men of letters."

OSCAR DENIES ALL.

Wilde was then placed upon the stand, and absolutely denied that there was a word of truth in the charges of indecency brought against him.

During the examination of the prisoner by his counsel it was apparent that there was a remarkable change in the character of those attending the trial. The was evident that many of Wilde's friends were present in court, and the general atmosphere of the place was less hostile to the prisoner than upon previous occasions.

THE PRISONER CHEERED.

C. F. Gill, on behalf of the prosecution, began his cross-examination on the same lines as that of Edward M. Carson, Q. C., who defended the Marquis of Queensberry against the charge of libel. He quoted from the sonnet to Lord Alfred Douglas, in which occurred the line: "I am that love; but dare not speak its name."

Mr. Gill 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 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, 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.