The New York herald., 1875-12-24
The Two .washingtons.,

The striking resemblance of Mr.. Martin
Farquhar Tupper's new play of "Washing-
tom to an American play of the same name,
written by Mr.. David Sinclair and published
in Boston in 1874, was first pointed out by
the HERALD and has since been the subject
of general comment. 1t is proper that we
should correct misapprehension of the
press Mr.. Sinclair has not made any charge
of plagiarism against Mr.. Tupper. That
charge was originally made by correspond
ent of this paper, who had read Mr.. Sin
clairs drama and compared it with the ex-
tracts from Mr.. Tuppers manuscript, as
given in letter from Colonel j. w. Forney
fully into the matter it appeared to us to be
question of grave literary importance. We
found the two plays to be so marvellously
alike that the resemblance could only be ex-
planned upon the theory Of plagiarism or
upon the hypothesis of an astounding
same title, the subject is the same,
the characters are the same, the meth
DDS of treating the subject are the same,
and the plots are wrought out in much the
same manner. The resemblance of the style
is still more significant. Passages from Mr..
Mr.. Sinclair's, and passages from Mr.. Sin
clair's to Mr.. Tupper's, and no difference in
their poetical merit could be detected by the
ablest critics. These facts seemed to us not
only to justify but to compel the inquiry,
Is Mr. Tupper plagiarist? But Mr.. David
Sinclair has thus far made no claim, no
charge, and probably rests upon the convic-
ton that, whatever may happen to Mr.. Tup-
per, his fame will not be harmed by the re-
suit of the investigation.
The correspondence which we print else
where relative to this painfully interesting
subject contains some new points. Mr..
Palmer makes the important announcement
that o complete manuscript copy of Mr..
Tupper's washington" is now in
this city, in the possession of Mr.. An
drews the humorist. We also learn that the
play was offered by Mr.. Tupper for produc-
ton at Booths Theatre, but that the manage
ment was not fully assured that it was suit
able for the stage. This is to be regretted,
and we question whether, if washington"
could be brought out with the splendor of
Julius Cesar" it would not be equally sue
cessful. Several Of Shakespeare's plays pos
sess the same faults as Mr.. Tuppers, though
the merits are not in every case identical.
Therefore. if Richard H." and Julius
Caesar" can be adapted to the theatre, it
would be but just to the modern poet to give
his play the benefit of the same advantages.
A correspondent in Norfolk, Va, informs
us that Mr.. Sinclair Is not IN American, but
a Sco.chman. This, of course, will gain
for his Washington" the enmity of those
who believe that plays for the American Cen
tennial should be written by Americans-as
Washington himself said, "Put none but
Americans on guard tonight we at
tach little Importance to the nationality Of
an author. Most of the plays we now have
were stolen from Englishmen, who stolo
them from the French, who stole them from
each other, so that we see no reason for in
PRODUCING Know Nothingsm into the drama.
Such discussions are wholly foreign to the
question of plagiarism which has been un-
happily, but unavoidably. raised between
Mr.. Sinclair and Mr. Tupper, and which it
is absolutely necessary for them to settle.