The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-04-24


in the exhibition and the artist has treated the subject
grand manner. There is, however, want of care in
the drawing and painting OF the animals introduced The
chain Of lofty mountains worthy Of Church. and the
fora Of the valley display the minute handling Of that
master.
A Very Pretty Row In tho Coulisses-
Davenport Bourcicault.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
Miss Jean NJ Davenport has placed before the public
matter Of difference between myself and that lady, and
the observations made in your journal upon the subject
oblige me 10 state the following facts
In February last Miss Davenport to Laura Keenes
theatre In New York, and witnessed my DRAMA "eanie
Deans" The following night she accompanied by
secretary, provided with writing materials They
side by side in the orchestra stalls and under Miss Da
venports dictaton and direction, certain writings
DONE The performers upon the stage my attention
TO the fact omit their comments upon It.
few weeks afterwards Miss Davenport announced at
the Walnut street theatre in Philadelphia new play
called "The Heart of Mid Lothian or, Jeanne Deans :,
written by herself had already engaged to play my
drama at the Arch street theatre in that city Mr. Wheat
E the manager Of that theatre after seeing my piece in
New YORK. had guaranteed that my performances of 1t
in Philadelphia should not realize less thar 81 oO0
with other contingent advantagM received the follow
ing letter from Mr. Wheatly:-
EAR sR-Lss. Friday night visited the wslnu.
on. On sSs ns . Of THE s &C. Of I
Of The opening sc.ns. your d,sms Jespe Deans" which
S ssss @
woit 10 the Under these circumstances must hh
Ss,ns Fl. spiaoa ass
snoher t'abl shmen in city your deusnd % ur.
gent nat Ii leaves me no alternative. W. WHEArLEY.
I'm
Of my drama from Laura Keenes theatre and sent to
Philadelphia that might DO compared with Mes Dsven.
ports piece. confden this duty to Mr.. BIackburne
gentleman Of experience in theatrical affairs who had
been manager and actor. Iappend bis reply
Top BouRcIcAuIr, ESQ
PLAY eaue and IN ver Dpy
sns i.i.sd Ne ".dut ,yee theatre Moadav. March
or Jesrie Team. the play compared With
I K: s1ssp 70 BE- r.. Of ns
quenc of The plot and iangusSe
TEosss ShsSk
stu DESTROYS Of adjusting this matter without public
trouble. went in person TO Philadelphia. / called on
Mr. Sheppard the legal adviser Of the LADY, he produced
her manuscript and produced mine. pointed out to
him in her manuscript whole scenes taken from nv
drama without dsguise and sections of the dialogue YER
batim.
must here be allowed to state that my work is not
simple dramatzaon Of Sir Walter SCOTS novel; but an
alteration Of It, have altered the story, altered the
CHARACTERS invented scenes not TO be found SCOTS
novel or in any dramatic OF It, and these scenes
Incidents dialogue and characters Miss Davenport has
taken, and regret add has attributed their In yepton
to herself
After e1haustng every to induce the lady to re-
ceoe from her position commenced suit against her
in the United States District Court Philadelphia and
the waited month. Miss Davenport then advertised
to managers Of theatres that she would per-
form this piece and offered this inducement for them TO
engage her Under these circumstances hnding nv pro-
perry pllaged, my remonstrances treated with contempt
my preennons very reluctantly felt Obliged TO publish
warning 70 managers that Ass Davenport was viting
them to do Illegal act-one for which the Ia held
must elapee before this question Is passed
upon by legal tribunal, and as It will be mater OF
public discussion desire meet the resorsed TO
Of cay ing that my work was only taken from Scouts
vel, and the lady had right 10 use the source
offer reward Of five thousand dollars any person
who can find in SCOTS novel, in any dramatic version
OF it, except mine, the following scenes
!. The arrest of Ellie Deans at her fathers supper
table, and the whole the last of the first act
2 rne examination Of Madge Wildnre as witness on
g. The pickering OF the counsel at this trial, and the
scenes between them.
4. The murder Of Madge widnre by her mother,
Meg
g. The character Of Archibald, the dukes footman.
with his repetitions Of phrases
6. The whole Of the where Geordie Robertson
rouses the mob and the soldiery are fred upon
=. Inc whole OF the scene in tho prison, where Ellie
booth used AZ the climax Of the work.
These scenes all appear in Miss Davenports play seia
nm veroamn. select them as being some Of the pro-
Ineed scarcely express the repugnanoe and sincere
such q conlct-and II have 70 prove ncon,estiblv the
wrong that has been done hope the fair sex 70
which the LADY belongs will remember tina. she leaves
cannot conclude without referring to the lawless man.
which dramatic literary properly paged through
managers OF course have received any remuuero
whatever for London Assurance" "Old Heals ana
many other dramas which have Afforded the public nsov
nights entertainment. These works produced in
London and became public property here. But do
literature, thai those works which I wrote for the
New York." "Ine ootoroon," "Jeanie Deans" and
"The Colleen Bawn," should be respected Yet
the dramas and hawk them for sale amongst irr..
sponsble managers and sctos who willing 70 risk the
performance, relying on their own worthessne 70 es
that the respectable portion Of this community and the
press win not encourage hwess outrage upon the fruits
met with my cndeavors 70 please the public has aroused
natural jealousies and must submit TO Distraction
and abuse do no: place any great literary value upon
the are they mine, The Of my brow the bread
of my family bow humbly 70 any criticism upon their
the part certain journals hound on the thieves and
to shelter the theft under the abuse they cast upon NV
humble and so worthless as mine are thus eseS tba
dramatic authors Of greater merit will arse and sacrifice
Their lives hopes and aspirations 10 found and create an
American dramS DION B0URClCAULr
SuDpES DEATH or FATHER AND SoS.-A town meeting |
Nedway on the 18th inst says the Boston Journal NJ
saac Foster, apparently in fanting f fell upon thu
oor of the town house, and soon died The deceased
Tse about So old and probably died from some AZ
,caon Of the heart In view Of the solemn event the
b. Warren Foster, Of Hopkinton, OF tho above
smed person, having heard OF the death Of his father
as preparing 10 20 10 Ncdway when he was suddenly
lied with apparently fainting 1T, and although ms
assistance at hand, he not restored to con-
Ioumss, but expired ip q very few rsputes.