The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-04-30
The Wiko6 Correspondence-FannyE issier
In tho United states.

tho OnIteQ Stot0os
We commence to-day the publication Of the ia
nous "Wikofi Correspondence" which gives a
private and most curious history of the triumphant
career Of that beautiful danseuse, Fanny Elssler,
throughout the United States, in the years 1870
4l-f2. We have been compelled to publish this
correspondence in order to show the public the dis
interested and the generous feelings with which
we always treated Fanny Elsser during her famous
career In this country and for the purpose also OF
repelng tissue OF the blacklist calumnies, false
hoods and bels, which have been circulated in
the newspapers OF this city, under the name OF the
very Wikof, whose correspondence furnish the
most complete vindicaton Of our conduct through
out the whole of that career.
But first let US give brief history of our first
knowledge of Wikof, and the manner in which
Fanny Essler first introduced into the columns
| of the Herald. In the month OF May, 1888, went
to England in the steamship Sirius, commanded by
Captain Roberts, who was lost in the President
steamer. Amongst the passengers in the Sirius
was this Chevalier, Henry Wikoff, whom then
saw for the first time-1 knew nothing Of him
cared little about him-and had very little inter-
course with him other than the usual courtesles
| amongst passengers. Of certain matters connected
with Wikoff aboard that vessel and with which he
| is intimately acquainted, shall say nothing, and
even he will appreciate the motive. To me it was
matter of Indifference. This is all the intercourse
or knowledge l had of Wikof, until July or
| August of the same year, when | visited Paris.
Soon after my arrival in the French capital, ]
went with an honorable member OF Congress and
Mr.. Morse, the President of the National Acade-
my of Design of this city, (having also travelled
from London in their company to attend party
at the house Of General Cass then American Min
lister, and by whom we had been invited. At this
select evening party, l again sawWikOf, but made
no attempt at recognition throughout the whole
evening, and did not, of course, speak to him
until near the time we were taking our departure,
when he came up and spoke to me, recognizing
me. In day or two afterwards, he called upon
me at my lodgings, and proffered his services to
accompany me to the public places in Paris, with
which he was intimately acquainted, whilst
was stranger. And on the request of Mr.
Wells, the American banker, he carried me to
his town-house, and afterwards we had an
invitation to dine at his country residence on the
banks of the Seine, on the succeeding Sunday.
did not trouble myself to make any inquiries about
who Wikoff had been-what he was-or what was
his mode of life. was then single man, visiting
France for the first time; soon left Paris aud for
got all about him In short time after my return
from Europe, Wikoff commenced correspondence
with the Herald, which he continued occasionally
every three or four months by letter from Paris
or London, which he begged and enireated might
be published in the Herald. AS there was nothing
improper in any of these letters, and as they con-
| tanned some little gossip rather badly written, l
concluded TO publish them.
This is all that knew Of Wikof until the arri-
val of the Great Western" on the Sd of May,
1910, in which were passengers, Fanny Elssler,
Chevalier Wikof, the Countess Merlin, Hon. Paul
Methuen, and number of other individuals On
the morning of that day my collector, Martin,
boarded the Western" and received letter from
WikoH, and also message, which were conveyed
| to me, and on the receipt of that letter and mes
sage, issued an extra Herald, containing the first
announcement made of the arrival of Fanny
| Elssler, which will be found in this days paper
among the correspondence Wikof also fur.
nished with a letter at the same time
which was published in the Herald on the
| following day, Monday, the 4th Of May, giving
an account Of the spendor of Fanny Elssler's last
engagement in London, in the course of which she
was called out by Queen Victoria herself He also
desired me to call and see him at his hotel. On
| that day, accordingly, between twelve and two
o'clock, called at the American Hotel and saw
Wikofr for two minutes. "Ohr said he, 81 am
happy to see you'll was Just going over to
you.' On this occasion ! was introduced to
Fanny Elssler, and her cousin who had just
then arrived in their travelling dresses, but five
words were not exchanged, and the interview
did not last three minutes. Wikof begged and re-
quested me at that time TO say any thing I could
in favor Of Fanny Elssler-said he would explain
all in few days-that he was going to Phadel-
phia, but wosld be back in less than a week. He
did go, and returned in few days, when he enter
ed into long explanation with me in relation to
the position in which he stood with regard to Fan
ny Elssler. l told him that if he persisted IN ac-
companying her throughout the country, 1t would
compromise his cha,acte and however pure his
motives might be- the world would never give him
credit for them. He assured me that his only mo-
| tive wish to be the means of facilitating her
in the acquisition of an Independent fortune, which
she had not realized in Europe-hs only feeling,
that of good heart and generous dsinterestedness
towards Fanny, who was "a most charming crea.
ture--a most desirable creature"-but that there
was nothing improper or dshonorabe at all
in their intimacy every WE'LL" said l. 81 take your
| word for all that; but remember that it will be
very difficult to make the world believe you-any
thing can do / shall be very happy to do it, il
proper to be done-but you must take care and be
very cautious in your proceedings, for you have
placed yourself in rather ticklish position'
With these views, purposes, and explanations,
fairly went to work, from the most generous ant
most disinterested impulses. and presented thu
talents Of Fanny Elsser in such light Throughout
the country, as to aid her most essentially in he
great career, and contribute to make her fortune O
sixty or seventy thousand dollars, as he himsel
admits There never was the slightest intimatisr
| or the slightest conversation on his part tina
ne was acting double part, telling Fanny
slssler that ! must be conciliatsd Tor fear
would attack her, or any other airocious imputa
ton and the best evidence of this--the rium
plant and overwhelming evidence of my disinter