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LONDON, April 3. -- The approaches to the central criminal court were crowded this morning in anticipation of sensational developments growing out of trial of the Marquis of Queensberry on the charge of libelling Oscar Wilde, the apostle of aestheticism. Tickets, however, had been issued by the clerk of the court for almost the entire seating capacity, a fact which was greeted with hoots and yells when it became known to the besieging throng. The favoured ticketholders were about equally divided between "the middle classes" and the "dipper ten;" hence the court room presented a much more attractive presence than is usually the case. The marquis and his accuser were among the earliest on the scene. Both sides were represented by formidable array of counsel, the marquis having as his leading attorney, Mr. Carson, M.P., queen's counsel. The case against the marquis is that on the 18th of February last he gave to the porter of the Albemarle club a card to be delivered to Oscar Wilde on which a sentence that constitutes the alleged libel. This card was not read or shown to the press at the preliminary investigation, and its content are known only to the principals and lawyers in the case. It is in fact doubtful whether the exact language will be made public in court to-day. The Marquis claims that he wrote the card to "save his son," Lord Alfred W. Douglas who has been very intimate with Oscar Wilde for several years past. The peculiar nature of the defense and the language employed suggests the notorious Cleveland street scandal of some years since, and the atrocious practices which at that time were exposed. Lord Queensberry pleads justification in reply to the indictment, asserting that it was necessary to the morality of his son to put a stop to his relations with Wilde. It is said, that the names of certain young members of the nobility, including one of exalted birth, may be brought into the case, if the defense be hard-pressed. Judge Collins, recently appointed to the criminal court, presides over the trial. In case of conviction, the sentence will probably be a heavy fine, although it is within the discretion of the judge, to impose a term of imprisonment.

Oscar Wilde charges the marquis with libel, by leaving on February 28, last, an uncovered card at the Albermale club, on which card was written certain foul epithets.

The marquis, who wore a shabby overcoat, was placed in the docket and answered to the indictment by pleading first, not guilty; and secondly, that the libel was true, and that it was published for the public good.

Letters, addressed by Oscar to Lord Alfred Douglas, second son of the Marquis of Queensberry, alleging to contain information that the plaintiff had solicited persons named to commit indecent offenses were presented.

Oscar Wilde took the stand and testified to a visit of the Marquis of Queensberry with another gentleman to his (Wilde's) home. When they arrived, the marquis ordered Oscar to sit down, whereupon the latter replied: "Lord Queensberry, I will not allow any one to talk that way in my house. I suppose you have come to apologize. Is it possible that you accuse your son and me of sodomy?"

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

A letter written by Oscar, which was alleged to reflect seriously upon Oscar's relations to Lord Douglas, referring to the latter as having "rose, red lips" and addressing him as "my own boy," and signed "With undying love, Oscar," was read by the judge.

Counsel, amid much laughter, explained that the letter might seem extravagant to those who were in the habit of writing commercial letters, but he added, it was "mere poetry."

Counsel for the Marquis of Queensberry quoted from one of Oscar Wilde's novels of modern life, "Dorian Gray," to show the author upheld sodomy. Oscar said the description of Dorian Gray, given on page 6, was taken from Shakespeare's sonnets.

Carson, attorney for Queensberry, cross-examined Wilde and brought out the story of certain intimacy with a newsboy 18 years of age. The cross examination regarding various other boys and men were so pointed as to be unprintable. To all of them, however, Wilde emphatically denied that he had done anything improper. The cross-examination was not completed when the court adjourned.

The Marquis of Queeneberry surrendered to his bail to-day at the Central Criminal Court, London, indicted for publishing defamatory libel of Oscar Wilde, by addressing to him a postcard at the Albemarle Club. There was a crowded attendance of the public.

On taking his place in the dock, Lord Queensberry answered the indictment by pleading first "not guilty" and secondly that the Libel was true and was published for the public benefit.

Sir E Clarke, in opening for the prosecution, said that a very grave issue had been raised, because the defendant, in the pleadings, alleged that the plaintiff had for some time solicited persons named to commit indecent offenses. Certain letters addressed by the plaintiff to Lord A Douglas were brought to him by a man who said he was in distress, and Mr Wilde gave him £15 or £20 to pay his passage to America. Another letter came to plaintiff through Mr Tree, the actor. It was handed to that gentleman, who in turn gave it to plaintiff. It was couched in extravagant terms, but it did not bear the suggestion made in this case. Coming to Lord Queensberry’s action, the learned counsel said the jury might have doubts whether defendant was responsible for his actions.

Plaintiff was examined by Sir Edward Clarke at length on the subject of the letters, which, he said, he did not regard as impartial. He described a stormy interview in his own house with Lord Queensberry, who accused him of a nameless offence. He told defendant he did not know what the Queensberry rules were, but the Oscar Wilde rule was to shoot at sight. In ordering defendant out of the house he described him as the most infamous brute in London. There was no foundation for the suggestions in the pleadings.

Mr Carson cross-examined as to the teaching in "Dorian Gray," and "Phrases and Philosophies." Plaintiff replied that he looked at these matters from the point of view of art. The "Priest and Acolyte" was twaddle ; but he had not dissociated himself from Cameleon," in which it appeared. The man, Wood, was an unemployed clerk. Plaintiff said, in further cross-examination, that he not only gave him £15 for his passage to America, but £5 more on the occasion of a champagne lunch before his departure. He denied misconducting himself with Wood. Lord A Douglas had asked him to befriend the man when introducing him. Wood and plaintiff knew each other by their Christian names. Proceeding.