New-York tribune., 1879-03-15
MISS ANNA DICKINSON'S NEW PLAY.
A CARD FROM THE AUTHOR IN WHICH STATEMENTS


To the Editor Of The Trtoune.
SIR: On my return to the city from Tort
nights work was asssiled by army OF questions
concerning certain statements In recent efusion OF
THE TRIBUNE, which am too ignorant 10 answer AS
an humble seeker after both knowledge and truth' may
beg that you will do me the kindness to reprint the
vexing proDlem-since II H allied TO item that mas a
peared in your widely read cOlumns-together Win
the queries that fret account OF my lnaohy 10
give them satisfactory answers:
As to statement: " Miss Anna Dickinson read her
play entitled 'Aurelau' to a large company at the
dence OF literary friend in this city, few nights
since THIS piece Is written in prose and consists OF
OF level dialogues. in which al the persons TAX
alike and all talk like writer. 1t introduces Azure
Ian ZenObla Tacitus and few other characters us
production should it be produced might perhaps serve
good purpose 10 directing attention TO the eloquent,
pictorial Llumiuative novels Of 'Aurean and Zenc-
ha, by William Ware, renowned, but now almost
forgotten The statement lately circulated that John
Mccullough had accepted Miss Dicknson's Aureilah'
and would act in it. proves to have been Incorrect
As query VIII the writer Of the above add to the
favor Of his dspassonate criticism the Information as
to when where and under wnat conditions he became
familiar with the play OF Aurean y The answer may
be personal interest In any further words that
may have 20 be spoken this matter. Also VIII ne
dei-u to cast light upon the good purpose tuaI
would be served by production in directing attention
Ian aud Zenobia by william Ware once renowned but
now almost Orgotteu"i Is he interested, perchance III
lie relssuug and fresh sal OF these OnCe renowned Dut
now almost forgotten" boOks1 Or is the good pur-
Dose" 10 be served that Of the drawing OF vigorous,
contrast De the "evel prose- conceded 10 De mat
OF the writer Of the play and the eloquent p'ora IL
uminatIye" English OF Nj. Ware, or the other CONTRAST
that might easily be madc-thOugh see not 10 Whdt
purpose" good or -betweeD The Historical chaIdc-
ters of the novels and the imaginary char acefs OF the
play In the first. Aurellan, harsh severe and mid
dle-lg lged chiefly engaged III the work OF persecu ing
CHRISTIANS, ZeuObIa, mature and matronI' the mother
OF five CrOwu-up ch Grcu one II whom is lhe we OF tue
Roman Emperor r. the second, Aurelan. OF eight
an -thlrtv, generous, ardent free sud madV IN loNe
with a ZenOBa, who is young and unmarried, Hnd VINO
dies crying her lover foe. Explanations are
in order.
Concerning the final sentence, "the statement lately
circu ted tnat John Mccullough had accepted Miss
DickIusous 'AUredn.' and would act IN II proves to
have been incorrect" will ask, how prOyes'i There
newspaper tndt l myself responsible Tor the para
graph they nave published embOy ng this same '-tate-
ment" In that of IHE TRIBUNE the understanding l.
not taclt, but absolute. Here and now, over my own
name repeat the assertion that tue play OF "Auitan
was written at request Of John Mccullough; was
written for him was accepted by MIN was 10 have
been produced MIN and that, without the resembling
OF that pI of production, or word o. Hegatloh
from ham OF that acceptance, the play was taken
from him by for sufficient cause
Heartily anxious lead no one INTO error ask the
critic OF IHE TRIBUNE 10 add TO his many services the
crOWnlng OF pIovug the truth, on whichever side
of this ..statement'-hs mlne-it may be found Re
spertfuIv ANNA l.. DICKINSON.
NpLr York March 1879.