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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.

Every available inch of the Old Bailey was occupied on April 3, when the hearing of the libel suit brought against the Marquis of Queensberry by Oscar Wilde was opened before Justice Collins.

Wilde charges the Marquis with leaving on February 28 an uncovered card at the Albemarle Club, on which was written certain foul epithets. As a result, Wilde, on March 2, caused the arrest of the Marquis and the latter, at Marlborough-street Police Court, was placed under £1500 bail.

The court-room was crowded with lawyers. The Marquis, who wore a shabby overcoat, was placed in the dock, and answered to the indictment by pleading first not guilty and secondly that the libel was true and it was published for the public good.

The Marquis seemed unconcerned, and in replying to questions spoke quietly and clearly. Sir Edward Clarke, formerly Solicitor-General, in opening the case, said the card left at the Albemarle Club for Mr Wilde was one of the visiting cards of the Marquis of Queensberry. Continuing, the counsel said the gravest issues had been raised, as the defendant in his pleadings alleged that the plaintiff had for some time acted in a disgraceful way. Certain letters addressed by the plaintiff to Lord Alfred Douglas, the second son of the Marquis of Queensberry, were brought to the plaintiff by a man who said he was in distress, and Wilde have him £20 with which to pay his passage to America. Another letter was handed Beerbohm Tree, the 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 the Albemarle Club about five p.m. on February 28th, and on entering was handed an envelope by the hall porter, Sidney Wright, who said: "Lord Queensberry desired me, sir, to hand this to you when you came to the club."

Inside the envelope the plaintiff found a card, on the back of which was written the date "4.30, 18,2,'95," and on this card were written certain vile epithets which formed the basis of the suit.

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

Wilde spoke with his customary drawl leaning his arms upon the rail of the witness box, and replying distinctly to questions.

The jury, which was composed of very intelligent men of elderly appearance, mainly prosperous tradesmen, eyed him with curiosity. The 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 Queensberry, the other unknown to the plaintiff. The former said, "Sit down." I replied: "Lord Queensberry, I will not allow anyone to talk that way in my house. I suppose you have come to apologise. Is it possible you accuse me and your son of infamous vices?"

He replied, "It looks that way."

The counsel for plaintiff then asked the witness about the man to whom he had given £20 with which to pay his passage to America. The witness said, "The man told me he had been offered £60 for a letter, and I advised him to immediately accept it. But I finally gave him money in order to relieve his distress, and he gave me the letter."

The document referred to was here produced in court, and was handed to Justice Collins. The letter was to Lord Alfred Douglas, and the writer addressed him affectionately, and was signed "Oscar Wilde." Counsel, in explaining this letter, said it might seem extravagant to those in the habit of writing letters.

But he added, "It was mere poetry." (Laughter.)

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., M.P., counsel for the Marquis of Queensberry, for cross-examination.

Carson began the presentation of the case for the Marquis by reading passages from "Dorian Gray," one of Oscar Wilde's novels of modern life, to show that the author upheld all that he had been accused of the plaintiff following the counsel with a copy of the book and laughing at Carson's insinuations.

Carson, addressing the plaintiff, asked: "Do you think the description of Dorian Gray, given on page six, 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 'Dorian Gray,' any person of the male sex younger than yourself?' was the next question.

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

During this portion of the proceedings the Marquis of Queensberry followed his counsel with a copy of "Dorian Gray" in his hands, with seeming enjoyment.

Wilde testified that the man to whom he gave the :$20, on receipt of the letter in which he referred to Lord Douglas, which amount was used to pay his passage to America, was named Wood. Replying to questions by Mr Carson, Wilde said the letter to Lord Alfred was merely "poetical," and he added he had an "undying love" for Lord Alfred, who, he claimed, was his best friend.

Carson severely repressed the levity of the witness, and began a more serious phrase of cross-examination by questioning Wilde about his other vicious acts, and the questions were so pointed as to be unprintable. Wilde, however, emphatically denied that he had done anything improper, but was troubled and confused under the terrible cross examination to which he was subjected, and frequently drank water.

In fact, he seemed ready to faint, and a chair was placed inside the witness stand for his use. Throughout the questioning of the plaintiff the Marquis of Queensberry stood facing him, and did not take his eyes off the man.

SECOND DAY.

There was unabated interest. The audience was largely composed of lawyers and reporters. There were few notable persons present.

The plaintiff arrived at an early hour and took a seat at the table reserved for solicitors. The Marquis of Queensberry entered a few minutes later, looking jaunty and confident. Several of his friends shook the defendant's hand as he entered the dock.

Oscar Wilde, upon resuming his place on the witness stand, admitted that he had attended tea parties in the rooms of a man named Taylor, which were artistically furnished, and in which perfumes were burning.

Wilde, in answer to questions, exhibited confusion and contradicted himself frequently. He also lost his temper. Carson's questions were in the main pitiless and unprintable. Carson's cross-examination of the plaintiff was concluded at noon, having lasted over six hours.

After the afternoon recess the crowd in the court-room was larger than ever, and the hall and stairs leading to it were filled ten feet deep with well-dressed men in waiting. Wilde kept the court waiting ten minutes, for which he apologised to Justice Collins, saying he had been consulting his doctor.

After the production of other letters the case for the plaintiff was closed, and Carson began his speech for the defence. It was terribly denunciatory of Wilde, who left the court-room as soon as the counsel for defendant began to speak. Lord Alfred Douglas was present in the court for a short time during the morning, but he did not return in the afternoon.

The speech of Mr Carson for the defence lasted until the court adjourned at 5 p.m., and was not finished. He reviewed the evidence, point by point, denounced Wilde, and said the witnesses he would produce would prove beyond any doubt the guilt of the plaintiff.

Carson alluded in complimentary terms to the course of Beerbohm Tree in forwarding to the plaintiff a copy of the anonymous letter handed the English actor, whereupon Justice Collins said: "There is no occasion to mention the name of Beerbohm Tree." Carson, in reply, remarked: "Nor should I do so, my Lord, had it not been that I received a cable message from him to-day asking that his connection with the case be fully explained."

"Everyone understands Mr Tree's connection with the case. It is in every way honourable and praiseworthy," said the Justice in conclusion. Wilde returned to the Courtroom a few minutes before the adjournment.

Among the letter produced and addressed by the Marquis of Queensberry to his son, Lord Alfred Douglas, was one saying Wilde "was a cur and a coward."

The court then adjourned till the next day.