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LONDON, April 4. -- Every available inch in old Bailey was occupied yesterday morning when the libel suit brought by Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry, opened before Justice Collins.

Oscar Wilde charges the marquis with libel by leaving an uncovered card at the Albemarle club, on which card was written certain foul epithets. The marquis was placed in the docket and answered to the indictment by pleading first, not guilty, and secondly, that the libel is true and it was published for public goods.

London, April 3. -- Every available inch of the Old Bailey was occupied this morning when the hearing of the libel suit brought against the Marquis of Queensbury by Oscar Wilde was opened before Justice Collins.

Wilde charges the marquis with leaving, on Feb. 28, an uncovered card at the Albemarle club, on which was written foul epithets. As a result Wilde, on March 2, caused the arrest of the marquis, and the latter, at the Marlborough street police court, was placed under £1,100 bail. The court-room was today crowded with lawyers. Admission was obtained by tickets only, and the sheriff in charge showed a representative of the Associated Press a pile of applications a foot high.

Rumors were current in London yesterday that Wilde had suddenly left the city to avoid being present in court today, and reports were also current that startling developments would arise today. But both the rumors were set at rest by the arrival in court of the principals to the suit. The marquis, who wore a shabby overcoat was placed in the docket and answered to indictment by pleading first not guilty and second that the libel was true and published for the public good.

Marquis Unconcerned.

The marquis seemed unconcerned, and replying to questions spoke quietly and clearly. Sir Edward Clark, formerly solicitor-general, in opening the case, said the card left at Albemarle for Mr. Wilde was one of the visiting cards of the Marquis of Queensbury. Continuing, counsel said the gravest issues had been raised, as the defendant in his pleadings alleged the plaintiff had for some time solicited persons named to commit indecent offenses. Certain letters addressed by plaintiff to Lord Alfred Douglass, the second son of the Marquis of Queensbury, were brought to plaintiff by a man who said he was in distress and he gave him £20 with which to pay his passage to America. Another letter was handed Beerbohm M. Tree, an actor, who gave it to the plaintiff.

Counsel then recounted the facts already known in the case, showing that Wilde, who had recently returned from Algiers, drove up to Albemarle club about 5 p. m. on February 28, and on entering was handed the envelope by Porter Sydney Wright, who said "Lord Queensbury desired me, sir, to hand this to you when you came to the club." In the envelope plaintiff found a card, and on this card were written certain foul epithets which formed the basis of the suit.

Then Oscar Came.

Oscar Wilde was called. He languidly arose from the solicitor's table, where he was seated, and entered the witness box. Plaintiff was faultlessly dressed in a black frock coat and carried his gloves in his hand showing fingers covered with rings. He was very pale, but seemingly composed.

The jury, which was composed of very intelligent men of elderly appearance, mainly prosperous tradesmen, eyed Wilde with curiosity.

Witness said that upon arriving at his house a few months ago he found two gentlemen waiting in the library. One was the Marquis of Queensbury; the other was unknown to plaintiff. The former said, "Sit down." I replied-"Lord Queensbury, I will not allow anyone to talk that way in my house. I suppose you have come to apologize. Is it possible that you accuse me and your son of sodomy?"

He replied, "I don't say it, but you look like it, and appear like it."

Counsel for plaintiff then asked witness about the man to whom he had given £20 with which to pay his passage to America. Witness said:

"The man told me he had been offered £60 for the letter and I finally gave him money in order to relieve his distress and he gave me the letter."

His Red Rose Lips.

The document referred to was produced in court. It referred to "the rose red lips" of Lord Alfred Douglass and the writer addressed him as "my own boy." It was signed "with undying love-Oscar."

Counsel, in explaning this letter, said it might seem extravagant to those in the habit of writing letters. But, he added: "It was mere poetry." (Laughter).

The interest in the case was increased when Sir Edward Clarke, upon finishing the direct examination, turned the witness over to E. H. Carson, Q. C., H. P., counsel for the marquis of Queensbury for cross-examination.

Carson begun the presentation of the case for the marquis by reading passages from "Dora Gray," one of Oscar Wilde's novels, to show that the author upheld sodomy.

Plaintiff was following counsel with a copy of the book and was laughing at Carson's insinuations. Carson, addressing plaintiff, asked:

"Do you think the description of Dora Gray, given on page 6, is a moral one?" "Yes," replied Wilde: "just what an artist would notice in a beautiful personality." "Did you ever adore madly, as described in 'Dora Gray', any person of the male sex younger than yourself?" was the next question.

Stole the Idea.

In reply Wilde said, "I took the idea from Shakespeare's sonnets."

Replying to a question by Mr. Carson, Wilde said his letter to Lord Alfred was merely "poetical," and he added he had "undying love" for Lord Alfred, who, he claimed, was his best friend. Witness denied having misconducted himself. In writing he did not concern himself to produce morality or immorality. He had no purpose and was concerned merely with literature, beauty, wit and emotion. He rarely thought anything he wrote as true, indeed he might say never.

The cross-examination was very severe and brought out the great difference of age between Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglass; how the two had visited various towns together, and stopped at the Savoy hotel together, and how Lord Alfred visited Wilde's chamber.

Carson then drew Wilde's opinion regarding literature in general, to which line of cross-examination plaintiff made many smart responses in the same line as in his plays.

"The interpretation of my works does not concern me," said Wilde. "I do not care two-pence for what the Philistines think about me."

A Newsboy Friend.

Carson severely repressed the levity of witness and began a more serious phase of cross-examination by questioning Wilde about his intimacy with a newsboy 18 years of age, and brought out the fact that Wilde took the boy to Hotel Brighton.

"Why did you seek the boy's society?" asked Carson; "Was it for an intellectual treat?" "Oh, he was a bright, careless, amusing creature," replied Wilde.

Carson here produced a silver cigarette case, a handsome cane and a book, which Wilde admitted he had given the newsboy. The cross-examination then touched upon Wilde's relations with various boys and men, and the questions were so pointed as to be unprintable. Wilde, however, emphatically denied he had done anything improper, but he was troubled and confused under the terrible cross-examination. He seemed ready to faint, and a chair was placed inside of the witness stand for his use. The Marquis of Queensbury stood facing him and did not take his eyes off the man.

Cross-examination of Wilde was not finished when the court adjourned at 5 p. m.

A large crowd assembled about the Old Bailey to see Wilde leave.