The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1888-03-06
DID sARDoU STEAL "1A ToscAns
Maurice arvyusrc eiterates bis CiaiA thsl
tho Play was Taken iron HI" Nadiesda."

NaurlceB arvy1sre Z eitsrates his Claim that
tho Play was Taken iron his "Nadiesda."
To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN Sir: M. Vic
torien Sardou's La Tosca" received on satur-
day evening It's first American representation.
l have already stated In the public prints that
the groundwork Of this drama was taken from
my play, "Nadjszda" In the criticisms OF N.
Sardou's work published yesterday no mon
ton of any Of my claims and no question as to
the legitimacy or originality Of the French
plsywright's methods were apparent. My work
is nay property according to the law Of tho
land. and according to all laws Of equity and
morals. I therefore ask from the press Of this
country q fair opportunity to SGT before the
American public the substance OF my demands
to tho protection Of my rights. until such legal
action as I shall deem sxpedielt to enforce my
Just claim shall be instituted. Ny grounds, In
brief. are IS follows:
Over two years since Mime. B%ernhardt's at
tentiol was called to "Nadjszds" BY Mr.. Henry
Jarrett. her late manager. In January. 1880. a
infinitely descriptive account OF tho plot AID
action OF this play. the outcome and elsbora-
ton OF my original ideas. appeared In tho Paris
Figaro apropos Of It's production ut the London
Haymsrket Theatre. In February, 1887. at tho
request Of Mr.. Henry s. Abbey. during Mme.
Bernhardt's last tour. a translation OF Mad
jezda" was submitted through Mr.. Maurice
Grau. one Of the managers to that lady-this
with the view Of adding the piece Immediately
to Mme. Bernhardt's rspsrtory for this country
and for subsequent production in Paris. In
June last, at the Star Theatre. Mme. Bernhard
ted ne that sho had read tho first act OF my
w .sns .i .sd a ssH : ia, i nlfnss1 %sl IS.ra h:s Rs %ss
sattsaed 9Th "NadiezsaI It would BE- produced
hsys / heard from ny plsy. which Is s:fi IN her
si 4 aF2 R::9s 3, ' .Ss tS ;.s s::'s Il: .t'; ;.s M@ si' ss, al
iishsd. and aiinaesp @ontS ass stt erf M@s. ssrnhss adt
esSaeS1 . M p|sy yS Called a.. I fosea.s ss elaf%eGG gro to
have been written at the request Of Mme. Bern
hardt for thHt actresses use and on her sug-
such 6 the history Of, Nine. B~ernhardt's In
PRODUCTION to and acquaintance with ".Nadjez-
Wit Sassh s~ Which h'I she says r 81. vfhI as ps sSsr
the history: The points q similarity and tthe
t:.s0n sur 1sa Il sni,ss ssp seep ns ar az. y f has
loys:,
eminent. a senlle ana %rspIlsiyo Ieehsr. having
:, q: "a, lPP iSs Es,.af Gen t;s ! dfSTii n .EiI S6 "a sf!p; 81 on 81
s.n I 70 the hoTritdi bargain n' and 2sS SS1.ss ss seds
uoT nuSUhnu pHck 70 noT Win y Dullot In nlb
heart. Cheated. dishonorsd. d%istraught. she
dedlcstes, her daughter to the mission Of 70:
the husband and father she had sacrificed her
soul to save.
In the last act OF the play tho sane situation
10 repeated. The daughter, grown to woman:
hood, also makes . bargain for q lfe-thRt Of
her lovsr--over . supper, table In Zabonrot's
apartments. She appreciates the utter horror
OF her self-sscriaco. She feels the leprous arms
around her neck. and. maddeled. distracted.
driven to bay, she stahs her would-be seducsr
to the heart and dies as La 1bscs dies. by her
Such are the chief scenes from my play
"Nadjezda." which / insist have been boldly
stolen By d. SArden for the salient action OF
L Tosca." 1t will b unnecessary, In view Of
the exhaustive dissertation of the French
drama. to point out the obvious identity be-
tween the spirit and body Of ! Toscs" and
the translation OF my play "kadJezda," in
Nine. Bernhardt's possession.
who viii SEQ La Toscs" the ultimate decision
not 20 T TRis much 1T I DC fofr eontsnd. That rs Viesesis on
Ssrdou. aided and abetted by Sarah Bernhardt,
has boldly taken the very scenes, the most
potent situations. and In some instances the
very language Of the plot. and play created by
mo, without as much as by your leave, and
propose to force the issue Immediately In the
courts to learn whether such proceedings can
continue, even II the oulprits are 10 celebrated
~ my proposed adversariss, or whether right
and Justice will prevail even IL the seeker is
none, other than, the real original author OF
"NRdjezdA-La Tosca-"
MAURICE BARRYMORE.