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London, Wednesday. The Marquis of Queensberry surrendered to his bail to-day at the Central Criminal Court, indicted for publishing a defamatory libel on Mr Oscar Wilde by addressing to him a card 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 the case for the prosecution, said very grave issues had been raised because the defendant in the pleadings alleged that the plaintiff had for some time solicited persons named to commit certain offences. Some 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 the plaintiff through Mr Tree, the actor. It was handed to that gentleman, who, in turn, gave it to the 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 the defendant was responsible for his actions.

Plaintiff was examined by Sir Edward Clarke at length on the subject of letters which he said he did not regard as important. He described a stormy interview in his own house with Lord Queensberry, who accused him of a nameless offence. He told defendants he did not know what the Queensberry rules were, but the Oscar Wilde rules was to shoot at sight. 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 the teachings 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 the "Camelion," in which it appeared the man Wood was an unemployed clerk.

The plaintiff said in further cross-examination, and he not only gave him £115 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 the plaintiff knew each other by chirstian names.

A man named Allen also called on him with reference to the Douglas letters. He knew Allen as a blackmailer, and gave him 10s to show his contempt. After Allen came another person named Clyburne, and he was kind to Clyburne by giving him the same amount. To a bookseller's assistant he had given money on three occasions, but he denied misconduct. The Court adjourned.