New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-28
THOH>HIP or "NHORE .lfRE>.r
JANIS \. HERNE REPLIES FROM THE STAGE TO
CHARGE or PLAGIARISM

/
Henry Irving and nearly the whole Of his COM
pany. except Miss Ellen Terry. attended James A.
ii.rnr's performance OF shore Acres at DAYS
Theatre yesterday afternoon Numerous other
actors were present and. indeed. the occasion
amounted to almost a professional matinee. Mr.
IIernc made speech IN reply 70 the charge Of
plagiarism recently published In THE sun The
article IN question said that Shore Acres was I'm
many respects Ike Lighthouse cliffs" "A play by
James T.. Muriock. which WAS acted on the Pacific
coast twenty years ago. with Mr. IIerne In the
cast. Mr. frrnc asked TO send n reply to The
sun and did so. II printed yesterday morn
INK and his speech Of yesterday intended as
further rcfutation OF the charge In the course Of
II be said.
Ladies AMI Gentlemen: Permit me- on behalf Of
this company myself and the management to tahnk
YOU for your presence here to-day and from thu.
generous Endorsement you have given us. | think
W. have pleased you. want to apologize for bring
Ing before You to-day and mentioning an unpleas-
ant matter. but "Tnc Ncw-York sun" has seen NJ
upon the authority of Idle gossip OF rrcsponsl-
bic parties 10 bring "A serious charge against us a
charge that reflects upon my art as an actor ana
brings into contempt my integrity a man. And
out Of respect to all distinguished guests ana in the
interests Of my fellow dramatists and all who have
come here to-day and IN justice to Mr. Miner who
stakes his faith mo. l wishto read two letters
that have here: they Will explain Themselves
The first one Is from The New-York Sun" II Is as
follows:
Editors Office Of The sun New-York Dec 90
"Mr. james y II-rnc.
Dear Sir: The question has been asked II The
sun II shore Acres Is the name in plot adm chief
characters as those Of 4 drama by James T.. Muir
doch. entitled Lighthouse Gifts and acted on the
Pacific Coast about twenty years. Inquiry by one
Of our reporters To show that an answer in
the Affirmative would be correct II you say
anything on the subj 90 for publication kindly mail
II not later than Friday afternaan. Your truly,
Editor 'Ncw-York sun per g. o. Burton"
received that letter on Thursday night at Mr.
Miners theatre In Newark. ON Friday night
wrote The following letter.
- Convent-ayr.. New-York. Dec g. 1893.
Editor 'Ncw-Yorl Sun:
Dear Sir: Your letter of Inquiry dated Deem
Der 20 reached me at the theatre last night. In
reply permit me 10 say Shore Acres Is modern.
IL would have had no meaning twenty years ago.
ana therefore, couid nov nave b.en written ar that
time. II is not an accident; II Is a growth. IL
Is my friend Ben Teal said OF my work
by thirty years Of Sxpcriercc The trend OF mod.
ern thought in all art is toward veratism. shore
InclInnis and Characters win the excepton Of in.
scene In the lighthouse and the scene of the fish
crman III storn-lncidents that have been used
evolved by me-. and have no prototypes in any other
play far rs ! know. The absolute newnrSs evil
dcncci in The treatment of the simple storm In its
atmosphSrr and purely local color in the origin.
ality and marked differentiation Of the character
actors representation. all OF whom follow lines
thought out and laid down by me. should. | think.
purge mo Of any such charge as that you propose
TO bring against However your paper IL re
spOnsible for It's uttsranccs and suggest that
be- certain OF your authority for any published
statement Of the subject matter you may tit
make In It's columns. shore Acres' IL poor
thing sir-but mine own Respectfully.
JAMES a. IIERNE.'
/ have no comment To make upon this further
than 10 say that have no personal feeling In the
matter. invite criticism. put viii not stand libel.
| have placed the matter In the hands Of my attor
nnXS wh g are Syms h % bc yc
In conclusion. wish 10 thank YOU all | wish 10
tank Mr. Irving and his COMPANY for the compli-
ment Of their presence. AMI hope that have
entertained you and wish you all a very happy
and prosperous New Year.