The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-09-16
Theatrical Black.MaiIine.

LETTER FROa bhET hAkTE-SE T. III y U >
CHARGES AGAINST NEW YORK CRITICS
NAMES AND PROoFS-sUBLIME SPECTACLE
PRESENTED TO THE PUBLIC GAZE.
Bret Harte, the author and lately drama
tist, has addressed the following letter to
the editor OF the New York Sun:
Sir,-I have been called upon by the va
rious journals Of the city to give the names
Of certain critics connected with the New
ter to me about T,ro Men of Sandy Bar,
charges with bribery and corruption. Gen
orally, believe, it is the utterer and not the
receiver Of an alleged Counterfeit who is
called upon to make his tender good. But
as the opinion has been expressed,
that in publishing Mr.. Robson's letter
I tacitly endorsed his charges, why
let me say that I certainly en-
dorse them here, and have become thorough
ly convinced of their truth. It is under
stood, therefore, that Mr.. Robsen's charge
is reiterated; earnestly, know; good-tem-
peredly, trust, by Mr.. Bret Harte. The
issue here, at least, is squarely joined. But
lest we should drift away from the intent
and spirit Of my Late letter, wish to state
here that Mr. Robson's letter was published
solely to show that the allegation Of the
critics that he was disappointed in his bar
gain, or, Us it was insinuated by one critic,
had been deceived and swindled out of
$4,000 by me, was maliciously impertinent
and unqualifedly false. II, however, the
critics prefer to eyade this charge made by
me, and take issue on another charge made
by another man, why / am willing to meet
that also.
AS to the names asked fer, one has already
been given to an influential journal Of this
city. It is the name Of one Of its employees
who approached Mr.. Theo. Hamilton with
the direct tender Of the favorable critical
expression OF his paper for coin. Mr.. Ham,
ilton, am informed, yielded the name at
the request of the editor-a man, we will
say, quite incapable Of permitting or even
suspecting the integrity of his subordinates.
1t is possible that Mr. Hamilton remember
ed that this same journal had appealed to
me, as brother journalist, in the interests
Of a journalism worthy Of Mr.. Carlyle's
epithet, to revoke these charges; and that,
knowing this, he felt an honorable delicacy
in giving to the public the meaner secrets
of my profession, through the names of those
who hang muddily upon its tattered fringes,
and was satisfied that the wrong would be
fairly redeemed by the journal in question.
II, however, further names and proofs are
demanded, they can be evoked from me
simply and readily. 1t is difficult to get q
manager or actor to admit that they have
paid for favorable critical services, but they
may be obliged to testify under due process
OF law. An action for libel would call out
the proof; but as / cannot bring such an
action, not being able to conscientiously
swear that the expression Of these critics
has damaged me or my play, / would pro-
pose that those gentlemen who are as.
grieved by my charges should bring an
action against me. 1t will enable us both
TO get at the truth, which, / trust, is all that
is asked for. twill at least be novelty.
IF. owing to the habitual extravaganza
and prodigality of the literary man, 1t Is
doubtful IL any damages could be coliecteo
from me. there is the play to fall back upon.
indeed, I know OF no more beautiful In.
stance of retributiYe Justice than the sub
lime speetacle OF these gentlemen nightly:
pocKeting the proceeds OF the play tney
have condemned, and vindicating the art OF
the critic over the folly OF the public: Stand
ing beside the box-ofice OF the Union
SQUARE Theatre, sternly but sadly, with
faces that shall indicate to the passing throng
OF giddy and unwise pleasure-seekers an
outraged aesthetic sense, mitigated and ten.
derly softened by the near prospect OF
pecnniary emolument, with one hand warn
ingly raised against the public, and the
other gently inserted in the box-ofice, 1T
seems to me that spectacle like this would
compensate somewhat for o preliminary dls-
bursement to legal counsel.
Mr.. Robson. Il fear, must hereafter answer
for himself. Pli have none OF him. "A man
who, as the Tribune beautifully says, :, MN:
giles noble grief with ON Imperfect syn.
tax, y and sdoesn't even now seem 70 = Know
how much finer is an ignoble rage mingled
with q perfect syntax, shall not insult the
great profession OF Journalism without hear
ING from 5 BRET HARTE.
General Lew. WalIace's new work is 2
tragedy, and Its title 10 Cosafeossss.