The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-04
BOUCICAULT VS.. HART.
EXAMINATION OF THE AUTHOR OF "PXKE
O'CAILAGHAN."


o'cALLAGHAN.
The case of Dion Boucicault VS.. Josh Hart OF The
Theatre Comque. came up yesterday before
United States Commissioner John A. Shields, pS
consent OF counsel either side, the occasion
being the examination OF Mr.. Wyber: Reeves,
author OF the play OF "Pyke O'Callaghan," rom
which play II was alleged by defendant, Hart, that
Boucicault plagiarlzed his play or "The Shaugh-
raun." Mr. Reeves will shortly return to Europe
and 1t necessary to take his testimony de
6erae esse
Mr. BOucicault was present with his counsel,
Mr.. O'Gorman. Mr.. Hart did not put IN an APP
pearance, but was represented by Mr.. Richard
Busted and Assistant District Attorneys Purdy
MR.. REEVES TESTIMONY.
In answer To Mr.. O'GOrman. Mr.. Reeves said he
resided principally in SCARBOROUGH, England; was
the author OF the play OF 'Pyke O'Cauaghan;'' ne
the ' city he Witnessed, at Waacx's, the repre-.
sentatOn of "rhe Shaughraun;" tnat was on
o s tine
Comque, on the 10th OF FEBRUARY. at matinee;
@ state you perceived any resemo,a al . be.
Skiboeah," in incidents, character. LANGUAGE,
scenery or stage business; II So IN what respects
dents, business. dresses and language; the char
acter or Conn in "The Shaughraun'' Is almost
Identical with the character OF Kerry O'Leary ia
.'Ihe skbbeah;", the character OF the Priest IS
also Identical with the character of the Priest IN
in 1.-The oKibbeahn ia, in business. dresses and
language almost the same as that in "rhe Snaugn-
raun."
Mr.. O'Gorman produced printed copy of "The
Shanahran," to be used only LOT the purposes OF
these actions by the Court and counsel aud called
Tor the production OF copy of "rhe Skiboeah"
from counsel, which counsel on the other side re-
Witness continued-The revolving prison scene
In "The Skibbeah" IS identical with that IN "lha
aug tMe scene business ana Wan
IN "fhe Shaughraun;'' the last scene or the piece
Is the sane. and the general language and purpose
OF the plot OF the two last acts or Ihe Sklb0ean"
are the same as those OF "rheshaughraun."
q. Is there or noe any similarity. and II so, to
Art. O'NeiI, in cine Shaughraun,n ana female
character called Kate Templeton IN zine sklb.
out the plot in the same way aud similarity III
some OF the language
@. DO you remember in 1.-THE SKbbeah" CHAR.
acter, squire Lynch, and a character called CORY
Knchella IN "rhe shaughraunY" A. do.
two cnarecters IN o' aetsn LANGUAGE and stage
business, and, If SO, in what respect and to what
extent2 A. There is similarity In some OF the
language, In dress, business and In the general
purpose OF the plot.
q. DO you remember a scene In THE Shaugn:
raun" known as The "Rutns OF st. BrldgetS Abbey"
scene? A. do.
Q, Is there or not any scene In 1.-The skbbeeah"
similar to that scene IN "The ShaughraDy" AZ
There ls the scene ITSELF the business, language,
dresses and purpose.
any similarity to your play OF "Pyke O'Callaghan,"
and: If 50, in what respect and extentY A. DID:
IN Tue urst ana second scenes Vi ''Ine oklooean;'
some OF the language used by the Squire in sew.
eral short conversations throughout the play-tha
front scene, prison scene
Q. With the exception of the Instances you have
mentioned OF similarity between 'rhe Skibbeah"
and "Pyke O'Caaghan" Is there or not similarity
almost amounting to identity IN language, plot.
scenery. purpose and stage business between said
''SKibbeah" and "The Snaughraun"? A. Yes.
Q. Is there any similarity between The play OF
"Tne Shaughraun" and your play OF "Pyke O'Ualla-
ghanW A. No similarity except the usual plot that
will be iOund IN other irish dramas OF an escaped
Fenian or convict being sheltered by faithful ad.
herent.
Adjourned till this morning,