The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-04-22
The Wik00 Controversy-Can Danseuss
exist without = Donkey

The community has been very much amused OF
late by various controversies and discussions, some
times on religion, sometimes on politics, sometimes
on the opera, and sometimes on nothing al all We
have had the Potts and Wainwright controversy
and the whole town has been engaged in discuss
| ing the theological question, " Whether a Church
can exist without a Bshopl' But this exciting
controversy has now died away with ali the other
discussions Of the day-haye been forced 10 give
place to one OF the most nome ntous controversies
when mas ever agltated society in modern times
we mean the important question, whether beau
tiiui dansense can exist without donkeyl' THIS
question involving will be at once perceived,
variety OF the most serious and profound consldera-
IONS, has been brought forward in the most I'M
posing form by a certain Chevalier who has DIS
charged the duties, and occupied the poet of dom
Key In various capacities in Europe and America.
We have already given some mixing Of this con-
troversy, few days since, but il nov begins 20
sumo such very grave and important, philosophy
cal, metaphysical, arithmetica and every other
KIND OF a character, that we mean TO pursue Il TO
the utmost extremity, and to the farthest conclu-
sion, ascertaining positively whether danseuse can
exist without donkey, which we conceive 10 be
by all odds the most vitality important question OF
the day.
Before entering, however, on the historical argu-
ment on this interesting question-in which the
divine danseuse Fanny Elssler is TO be the heroine,
and Chevalier Wikoff the hero-embracing the re-
cords OF that conquerng career throughout the
United States, which every one will remember
previous, we say, to entering that branch OF the
subject, we have few little matters of truth and
veraclty to settle, and which we mean to do as we
go along In reply TO the complete reiutaton which
we made of the inventions of this chevalier few
days ago, We have been told by person, who saw
another person, who heard it from a third person,
who positively mad it from another person, who
read it in coffee house somewhere down town
but whose name he could not recollect tina, there
has been card published OF which the following
are the contents -
To the Editor of the Pig and WHISTLE
SIh-l believe that the community are now satisfied
that the charges have brought against Bennett Of the
Herald oil the extortion OF Jewels silver &c. true,
since he attempts neither defence denial He fears
to confront the witnesses against him. and knows that
has own Journal can be adduced as evidence to his
abuse OF Mile. Essler and then its sudden cessation
This crime Will, therefore, remain forever fastened on
him.
have further convicted him of the grossest fsehoods
and though day after day his inventions exposed he
still goes with unblushng audacty to utter
lumnies, and prOmugate more untruths
His complete confusion is udcrously displayed by the
nane article he put before the public yesterday is
hardly necessary to you sir that is scandaousl
false from beginning to end By any acquainted with
respective positions it scarcely be inferred that
would stoop to seek such acquaintance The facts
are simply these prove by the walters Of Longs
Hotel that on his arrival in London last he left
his card for me-and that avoided him for forty Eight
hours as he says and then learning that he disap
pointed and knowing well the low means he would take
avenge himself by publishing his bellous sheet,
was foolish enough to endeavor to lay him under the
strans OF courtesy and paid him various cvilties got
him into the private gallery OF the House Of Commons
then procured admission from the Lord Chamberlain for
himself and wife to go through Buckingham palace and,
further induced the Governor of the Tower at London to
receive them and exhibit many interesting portions OF
never shown to strangers received in return for these
and other attentions the coarsest abuse Immediately
his arrival in America IF he denies this will show the
notes of the parties. My confusion may be imagined,
when the London published the degrading account
OF his expulsion from the Exchange OF Dublin by Mr.. o.
Connel amid the Kisses and execraons OF the multitude
made such explanations to my friends could, for
being found in such companybu still morti-
given to New York editor" and thus foreign estma-
ton of the responsibility of this honorable fraternity
by the just contempt generally expressed for this
What any gentleman has to expect who by accident
comes in contact with this man, be in his indie
cent and unnecessary introduction of Mr. McGregors
had several interviews with that Distinguished persoa
nett introduced to him. that ii, position IN New York
despicaby low.
The covert attack Mile. Elsser by fabricating con.
versaon wherein he puts words in her mouth vulgar
made by his own wife reerate that the Bennetts put
heavy expense by exactng opera boxes from her
night after night and further that she astonished
their hardwood in calling her at all after the ruan
abuse OF her in the Herald.
The story he tells of my suggesting dinner at his ho
TEL Tor any object is poor invention, meant only to an
noy me.
But is idle to enter seiam into the refuation of all
his silly and groundess statements The persons who
in his office at the time his order to stop the
pulls" OF Mr. Macready, testify to all have asserted
Every article he has lately written overrunnng they
do with contradictions and falsehoods will rise up in
judgment against him ERE long, still hope to
plish my great object of convicng him, ndicialy of
endless atrocities and revealing him in all his revolving
deformity to an indignant public.
Yoars, &c, H. WIKOFF.
This certainly is a very funny matter from begin
ming to end. What with black mail-jewels-si
ver--the waters at Longs Hotel-(who appear to
be the chief associates of the chevaliei)-the gale
ny of the House of Commons-O' " onnell-D Dublin
MIR. Macgregor-Mlle. Elssler-Mr. Macready-
and variety of other things and personages, we
believe this youth of thrty-fve has compressed
more romance into this little card, than can be
found in whole volume of Eugene Sue or Waite
Scott
Let us begin first with his prominent assertion
which we shall prove to be entirely false and un
true-and that two without reference to " the wait
ers of Longs Hote' He says that he procured
from the Lord Chamberlain, admission for us Il
Buckingham Palace. Now it happens that he hat
nothing whatever to do with the procuring of tina
admission. 1t was obtained by another individual
from Sir Henry Webster, whose note accompany
ing the order we still have in our possession. Mr.
Hame-a wealthy and nobly connected Irish gen
tleman, OF Humewood, in Ireland, was the person
who procured US that admission, and Sir Henr,
Webster was the gentleman to whom he applied
and who called at our Hotel one day with the or
der in his hand, and not finding us at home, he left
the following note enclosing the order:-
81 UPPER BRooK STREET, Aug. 81.
heard that you DESTROYS of order Buck
ngham Palace Lord Delawar has sent me one from the
Isle OF Wight, which have the pleasure of leaving in
person.
! am sorry not TO find you and Mrs Bennett at home.
You not trust, going out Of town very soon be
cause in three or four days return from Mr. Hopes,
where go tomorrow.
Your faithfully and obliged servant
II. WEBSTER.