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London, April 3.—At the Central Criminal Court trial of the action of Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry for libel was begun.

The Marquis of Queensberry entered the dock, and pleaded not guilty, adding that the so-called libel was true, and had been made known in the interest of public morality.

Sir Edward Clarke reviewed the evidence taken in the Police Court, dwelling upon the writing on the card, which constituted the libel complained of. This writing alleged that Mr. Wilde had been posing immorally. The case was not concluded.

LONDON, April 3.– The Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey, was densely packed with people long before the hour of opening -- 10:30 a.m. -- to–day, the attraction being the trial of the action of Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry for libel. Justice Collins took his seat on the bench promptly at 10:30 o’clock, and the case was called. The prosecution was conducted by Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C.M.P. and the Marquis of Queensberry was defended by Mr. Edward H. Carson, Q.C.M.P. Lawyer Besley watched the proceedings on behalf of Lord Douglas, of Hawick.

The Marquis of Queensberry pleaded not guilty, adding that the so-called libel was true and made known is the interest of public morality.

Sir Edward Clarke, in opening the case, reviewed the evidence taken in the public court, dwelling upon the writing of the card which constituted the libel complained of. This writing alleged that Mr. Wilde had been posing immorally. The Marquis, Sir Edward said, had also accused Mr. Wilde of having solicited a number of gentlemen to engage with him in a series of grave offenses. Several of these gentlemen would be called to deny whatever the Marquis might say on cross-examination.

At this point the Marquis, who, with clenched fists, sat glaring at Mr. Wilde, made a movement as though he intended to attack him, and he undoubtedly would have done so had it not been for the persons between them.

Sir Edward said that Mr. Wilde had been a close friend of the Queensberry family until 1890, when he learned that offensive statements were being made against him by a man named Wood, who had either stolen or found some letters written by Mr. Wilde to Lord Alfred Douglas. Wood offered to return these letters for money, and afterward, at Wood’s entreaty, Mr. Wilde paid his fare to America.

Mr. Wilde, he said, admitted having written in 1895 a most extravagant letter to Lord Alfred Douglas, in answer to a poem the latter had written. Despite the sentiments expressed in this letter, the jury must take into consideration the artistic circle in which Mr. Wilde moved. Mr. Wilde himself described this letter as a "prose sunset."

The letter which Mr. Wilde had written to Lord Alfred Douglas was read as follows:

"My dear boy: Your sonnet is quite lovely. Your rose-leaf lips seem made no less for the music of song than for the madness of kisses. Your slim, gilt soul walks between poetry and passion. I know that Hyacinthus, who was loved by Apollo, was you in the Greek days. Why are you alone in London, and when do you go to Salisbury? Do you sleep in the gray twilight of Gothic things? Come here whenever you like, but go to Salisbury first."

Mr. Wilde testified that when the Marquis of Queensberry called at his house, in 1892, Mr. Wilde asked him whether he had come to apologise, but Queensberry, instead of apologising, declared that he (Wilde) had taken furnished rooms for Lord Alfred Douglas. Wilde asked the Marquis if he really accused him of the crime implied, whereupon the Marquis replied:

"You look it, and if I ever catch you with my son again I will thrash you."

Mr. Wilde said he replied to the Marquis: "I don’t know the Queensberry rules, but the Oscar Wilde rules are short and at sight. The letters you have written about me are infamous. You are trying to ruin your son through me. Then when we were in the fall I said to a servant: "This is the Marquis of Queensberry, the most infamous brute in London. Do not let him enter the house again.'"

Mr. Wilde said it was absolutely untrue that he had taken rooms for Lord Alfred Douglas, or that he had stopped with him at the Savoy Hotel. Cross-examined by Mr. Carson, Mr. Wilde admitted that he had stayed with Lord Alref Douglas, Mr. Crener and Mr. Worthing at various hotels in London.

Referring to his publications, "Philosophy for the Young," Mr. Carson asked Mr. Wilde if he believed what he had written. Mr. Wilde answered: "I rarely write what I believe is true." Continuing, Mr. Wilde said he believed that the realization of self is the prima end of life.

The court adjourned.