The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-15
BIT U A r Y.
Alexander Davy Dumas.

'iccs w pcipetuate MS name. For some months
past ne had been ailing Excuses in old age had
produced paralysis. few weeks ago he was
thought to be dying but the old man rallied, and at
former sell. II he be really dead 1t Is likely that
the arrival OF tre Germans ut Dieppe fastened his
departure.
WHO DUMAS WAS
Almost everyb body has heard about Dumas ptre.
An opinion however, Is entertained by many that
MS mother was q negress. This Is a mistake. II
was MS father, General Alexander Davy Du-
mas VINO was the son OF an African woman
named Tiennettc Dumas, by the Marquis dc Ia
Paletene, u wealthy planter OF ST. Domingo He
was taken to France when boy, received a good
eoucatioii, anu won some distinction In the French
republican armies one OF which he commanded.
lie also served for a time under Napoleon, but re-
'ahhs MS republican principles. he quarrclled with
the Emperor, and his military career was cut short
His son Is the subject OF this sketch.
HIS BoYHooD.
The deceased novelist was born at yulers-C Cote
rets In the department OF Alsne on the 24h OF July
1902, and was consequently III the sxty.nnth year
OF his age al the time of his DEATH In his native
town he received his education from Able G re game
good enough man In his way, but
scarce fit for the oace OF teacher. AS
q consequence the instruction was very imperfect
Dumas, however, declaring in his "Memoires' that
1t included some Latin and little history. But II
he was not learned in boyhood he was an adept in
athletic exercises and in the use OF weapons. He
was good wrestler, an expert fencer, first rate
shot and sportsman. When he had arrived at the
age OF fifteen he became clerk a notary named
Menesson VINO lived ut Villers- Corteres, remaining
with hin some months, when he moved to another
town and obtained a similar position
STRUGGLES WITH ADVERSELY.
Tn mo ia ad a.. 70 faoy VIM
wife and daughter in addition to the son. The
lads mother was an invalid. ana her support. as
also that or his sister, devolved upon Inn. The
small salary he received from the notary barely suf-
feed TO keep them from starvation. 1t was not,
however until 1920 that he thought OF literature
as a means CT improving his pecunIary
condition. His entrance into the profession was by
an accident young Partisan, named Adophe de
Leaven, staying in the anne town with Dumas, had
begun to write for the theatres. He proposed
that Dumas Join him, remarking that ITO write for
the theatre trade like any other, and only re-
CURED practice" But, Tor long while nothing
came OF the authorship The two young men spent
two years together, writing several dramas, which
were forwarded to Paris and regularly rejected by
the theatre managers.
HE GOES TO PARIS.
1t was all labor and no pay. Meanwhile it became
more and more evident that unless he could obtain
some more profitable employment his mother and
sister would either starve or live upon public
charity Dumas determined upon going TO Paris
lie collected together the papers Of his father
obtained a letter or two OF recommendation
and started I'm March, 1892, for the capital
His object was to introduce bimselft to the
surviving marshals and generals who hau been
comrades of General Dumas. submit his documents
to them in proof or who he was, ana solicit
visited, but by all, with q single exception, he was
received with GOODNESS and indifference. That
single exception put him on the road to prosperity.
IN THE SERVICE or THE DUKE or ORLEANS.
General Foy to whom Dumas had taken letters OF
introduction, was the good patron. He at once
agreed to aid the young man, ana without delay
obtained for him an appointment as supernumerary
clerk al the Paais Royal, on the establishment OF
the Duke Of Orleans. For his services he was to
receive salary OF 1900 francs per annum, about
$24O. His duties were very light and this enabled
him to complete his education by sef.culture.
In the palace fine library, to which he had ac-
cess. He therefore awaited himself of its use, read
ing great number Of books ana taking numerous
notes. BY TINS time he had acquired decided taste
for the literary profession and was ambitious OF be-
coming u successful author.
HIS FIRST LITERARY SUCCESSES.
For eight years Dumas remained IN The service OF
the Duke OF orleans. Although ms income still
very small he coltryed 10 support himself his
mother and his sister upon 1t, and IN his memoirs
he states that at this time lie was perfectly happy
aud contened. True to his first lessons In literary
work. he adhered to the drama. His leisure hours
Were employed in constructing dramatic pieces, and
he frcquened the theatres Tor the purpose OF
studying scenic effects For three years ali
the plays lie wrote were rejected, but In
1925 he turned the long lane OF adversely, his drama
entitled ia Chase ct fAnour' being accepted
ana produced during that year at the Ambgu. M.
dc Leuyen, his Old friend ana NJ. Rousseau, sal
TO have assisted him IN lis composition The sue
cess Of the piece was il Is true, very moderate but
II gave HIM footing as dramatic author although
nDtil 1879 his yearly earnings outside OF his regular
salary did not exceed $3.50. ...f. ~
-. BECOMING FAMOUS. 80 -
In 1927 Mr.. Abhott. with company OF English
actors, arrived in Paris and passed the season there
performing Shakspeare's plays. Dumas nIgnt
saw Macready play the character OF Hamlet. and
new ideas. Going TO work with energy he wrote
two tragedies. "Cnristtne and ''Henr Ill., both
beng exclusively his own work. These he SUB
mtted to Charles Nodier VINO gave them TO Baron
Taylor, Of the Theatre Francois, with favorable
commentator. Henri liz" was the first put upon
The stage February II, 1s29) 1t met with immense
success, the audience, among whom were the Duke
OF orleans and large party OF friends VINO attended
by request OF the author, applaudng with enthu-
siasm. 1t was the first triumph for the new romantic
school over the classic and became the chief topic OF
received twelve hundred francs rom the manager
during the season. and from subsequent representa-
tons obtained over one hundred thousand. The
critics as q dangerous innovation. but nothing
they could say could make It unpopular. On March
theatre and met with similar reception. In 1881
"Cnares VII" and "Richard Darlington" two
tragedies written by his assistants but carefully
revised and corrected by him, were performed at
the same theatre. The same year his tragedy Of
.Ant0ny" which had been rejected at the Theatre
Francois. was produced al the Porte Saint Martin,
with extraordinary success. Then followed Ma
poleon Bonaparte," '.rerese," ana the comedy OF
Gle Mari de Ia Veuve.u ia Tour de Nese, one
OF the best OF his dramas, and which was the rage
OF the theatregoers during the season. gave rise
spirited literary controversy, winch ended In
that all Dumas had done TO It was to revise and cor
rect. Dumas denied the statement asserting that
he was the author The row finally terminated IN
duel. Of his other plays we can mention a few only
"kean,' "MademOlsee de Belle lsle,' written con-
Jointly with Count Walewski, lies Demoiseiles dc
Saint Cyr," lies Mousluetalres,n LA Refine Mar