The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-10
ove,p,,c ana Dramatic Matters.


we're very good the OF Mie. PiccNomiu Wa
espec,ally welcome. Mr. Uman announces That the
net p una will not appear in Ne| York amer
Thursday OF this week, She will return to Europe ia
nedately after the completion of her Southern tour
~Tbe Angara' bohemian GirD, which has been post
poned in consequence Of the illness of the TENOR
punoed for this evening without fail Bgnol has arrived,
hear good voice The role of the heroine will be
by Mile Pccolomn and that of the gentle Thaddeus by
Hgno. This viii be the first representation of the TIA
Ian version Of the opera in the United States. 1t was
uounced in Boston, but given. 1t will be given here
with the new ballet music composed by Bife, in which
Soto will dance There much curiosity to hear the IA
mlar melodies Of the Bohemian Grip in Italian, and
the house will no doubt be crowded.
On Tuesday there will BIO grand festival at the AGA
deny In aid OF the St. Georges Society. will include
an opera n,atinee-" MARTHA" with Laborde, Won
Berkel, Brgnol and Formes " La Serva Padrona with
PiccolomIn and concert aud 0ratoro in the evening
In which all the artists will sing On "Wednesday the
1sHuguenots" will be gven and Thursday the farewell
appearance of Piccolomni in New York. The week will
chow a succession of brilliant houses.
Anent sour American Cousin" which Is still running
al Laura Keenes theatre, have received reply the
deter Of Mr. Taylor the author in shape of the follow
ing affidavit made by Mrs. Silsbae hat was" 1t
quite conclusive as to Mr. Slsbees right to the manu-
scpt but no one has any rights over English works
nhis country, it is really Of great consequence Here
is he document, however,
CIRCUIT COURT or THE UNITED STATES.
Laura Keene VIM Wheatey and John y. Clarke
Martha Chapman beng duly sworn, according TO law,
doh depose and say-I am the wife Of William Chapman,
Gnl formerly married to Joshua Silsbee, who died IN
San Francisco, in California, the I'D OF December,
1876; accompanied Mr.. Slsbee his professional tour
to England in the year 1852 during that year in
LONDON and my husband engaged the Theatre
Royal Adeph in that city, the engagement was brought
unexpectedly TO a close by the arrival Of Madame
md Mr.
my husband for the loss ocoasoned him by the abrupt
termination OF his engagement delivered to him the
manuscript OF the piece, "Or American Cousin In part
satisfaction therefor, and the best Of recollection
the stated thirty pounds price paid by Web
ssr Tay or for said piece think that the sum- but
may be that point; Mr.. SIlsbee replied that
the piece already hall his own but the matter hav
manuscript delivered by Mr. Webster, and received
by Mr.. Silsbee in part settlement aforesaid the title
then Our American Consn;'' II Is stated upon the
original manuscript received by Mr. slsbee and by him
brought this county upon additional leaf II
written in the handwriting of the said Joshua ssbee,
follows
sour American Cousin, comic drama in 2 acts; pro-
perty of Joshua Sisbee, London, 1882
The whole Of the original just transcribed is in the hand
writing said ssbee; upon the second half of the
sheet Of paper set out also IN said Ssbees handwriting
fne original cast of characters at the Theatre Royal
Adelphi London 1852; the original manuscript Of the
piece and OF said ieai can be produced in court; at
the death OF Mr.. slsbee, in 1855, the said
the rest of her late husbands personal
tate, under the provisions OF his WILL duly executed
aITuuRBWcuL
with Messrs Wheatey and Clarke, the defendants this
suit, in and by which, for sufficient good and valuable
consideration, to her in hand paid by them, she has
corded 10 them the full right and liberty TO perform the
said piece and their performance thereof at their Arch
street theatre with her foil assent and approval the de-
ponent further that she is the Of the said dra
matte composition (subec to the said license so granted
by herr, and that she has not authorized permitted
Thomas Taylor to sell dispose OF the said play any
copy thereof; the said Thomas Taylor has made any
such sale 1t has been wholly unauthorized and unlawful
the piece was written for Mr. Ssbee he furnishing the
sandpe
the two gentlemen composed together is frequently
the in French dramatic compositions where three
authors take part in the preparation Of vaudeville
the interest Of Taylor in it purchased by Mr. Web
ster and the latter transferred to Slsbee, that the
latter named the sole Of the piece and
tnued up the time Of his decease; it put up for
rehearsal cast and perhaps played by said slsbee
point l speak from impression only and not with
certainty; upon the manuscript list Of the dramatic
piece is entered as .6ur American Cousin deponeat
has never authorized any change Of its As, title ,,
November 1855 after inerineaon into Sd line Cd page.
J. BuRonARD, u 8. Commissioner.
The Philadelphia papers contain no information to
the great suit about this play.
The theatrical record of the week s not stringy OK
citing. "Our American Cousin at Laura Keene's, and
the Merchant of Venice wlack's continue provo
lucrative and will withdrawn for the present At
Burton there has suncle Tom y ballet by
the Bouxary troupe, which includes Ducy Barre and
Celestine Franck both good artists, and a revival
Oliver Twist" in which Mr.. Ward, Mr.. Moore Mrs. G..
C. Howard and Miss Cordeia Howard played Bill Sykes,
Fagn Nancy Sykes and Oliver very well indeed Mrs.
Towards Nancy admirable performance.
The announcements for this evening follows
At the Broadway theatre Mr.. Eddy announces the
revival of the patriotic drama, Putnam; or, The Iron
Son of 70 to be done in the best manner. 2
At Burions Mr.. Joseph Proctor, tragodan Of note,
N Cnpo as Tirgnius Ada
Clifton as Virginia. The Bouxary ballet troupe will
appear in 20 Dechaumeaux" as the afterpiece.
At Wallacks theatre The Merchant of yence enters
upon its sixth week this evening" and will be played every
night during the week, with Mr. Wallack Shyloc and
its other numerous attractions
At Laura Keenes the bill OF last week Is announced for
further repetition II Is "Our American Cousnv and the
s'Marred Rake.'
AT the Bowery theatre the bill for this evening Includes
t'Mo Pitcher" the "Goden Axe'', and the Terror Of
wallacha." The house is doing a capital business.
At Barnums Museum the dramatic performances have
been suspended for the present. DR.. Kanes "Arctic
Voyages" will be exhibited this day and evening.
The Colored Opera conpanios--woods, Bryants and
Campbell's-announce various novelties for TO night
Nbos Garden it is said, will not be opened for dra-
matte performances at present.
Mr. c. s. Bernard is tho secretary pro tenn. of the
American Dramatic Fund Association.
The French theatre, in Broadway, opposite the Metro
poltan is announced to open the 18th Of February
Miss Agnes Robertson is playing at Washington and
Baltimore with her usual distinguished success
Mrs. c. N. Sinclair and Mr. Henry Sedley will COM
mence engagement at the Howard Athen@um, Boston,
on the 18th inst
Avonia Jones is winning fresh aures at the South
The New Orleans Crescent of Thursday, Dec. 80, says
This brilliant young actress has been captivating the
Egyptians" having recently closed engagement
Csps Gaiety in Memphis, during which the house could
my accommodate the crowds who throngcd her who
certainly Of the greatest dramatic that ever
rose and shonc in America New she upon the
boards abe proved her right to such communication last
season when she won it from the critics Of New
Orleans and tho whole country In Memphis she
appeared her complimentary benefit night for
the first time In Sergeant Talfourds great play,
I" Iop,N and the press loud in its common
dation Of her performance. Miss Avonia will commence
engagement at the st. Charles Monday night and
the many whom she charmed last year will doubtless