New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-15
OBITUARY..
EMILE ERCKMANN.

Paris. March IA dispatch from Lunevie. De-
partment OF Meurthe-et- Moselle, announces the
death Of Emile Erckmann the French noVels'
who colaborated FOR many years with the late
Alexandra Chatrian. using the compound name
Erckmann-Chatrian. He was seventy -seven years
old.
NJ Erckmann who was born at Thalsbourg. in
the Department Of the Meurthe. on May %. 1922
the son Of a bookseller. After studying by
fits and starts IN the college OF his tive town ne
proceeded Il Paris 70 study law. but he never
practised that profession He resolved 10 earn
living with his pen. and accordingly began series
Of works Of fiction In conjunction with Alexandra
Chatrian who was norm in the hamlet of Soda
tonthal IN the Commune Of Abroschwiller. In the
Department Of ne Meurthe. December *. 1926
and who was an usher in the college at Thals-
bourg when NJ Erckmann made his acquaintance
I'm 1N7.
From that time the two friends composed nu-
merous tales all signed "Erckmann- Chatrian, and
characterized by such unity OF composition that
no one doubted they were the production Of A
single individual. At first they contributed feui-
letons which attracted little attention, to provn-
cial journals. and wrote some dramatic pieces
which failures They NJ length despared OF
being able TO gain a subsistence by their literary
efforts ana N. Erckmann returned to his law
books while VI. Chatrian obtained a situation In
the offices % the Eastern Railway Company
II was not until 1889 that the publication OF
"LIustre Docteur Matthews" gave a certain
amount Of popularity TO the name OF Erckmann-
Chatrian. From that time their reputation as
writer's or romances steadily increased. in conse-
quence Of series OF works containing faithful and
graphic nara lives OF the manners and customs OF
Germany and OF the glories and military reverses
OF the Revolution and tho First Empire. Most Of
these works have been translated into English
VI Chatran died on September 4. 1890 About a
year before his death an unfortunate quarrel arose
between NJ. Erckmann and NJ Chatrians secre-
tary. NJ George resulting In law suit. in which
the secretary and NJ. Pigeonnat. manager OF the
Figaro" condemned 70 pay TO NJ. Erckmann
1900 francs damages
Among THEN best-known works are Historic
dun Consent de 1913" OssD. translated into Eng
lish under the title 81 The Conscrpt. A Tale OF
the French War Of 1873 Il Invas iOn-WaterlOo'
1850. translated under the title OF "WaterlOo
Story OF the hundred Days, and lie Bocus'
Os67j. translated under the title OF The Blockade
u Phasbours. An Episode Of the Fall Of the First
English versions OF their three-act comedy
Il Ami Fritz and their meodrama lie Juf
POlonais' familiar 10 American theatre-gOers.
The comedy. written I'm 1854. brought out sue
cessfuliy at the Theatre Francois in December.
1876. Notwithstanding the discredit which the Bona
piece by accusing the authors OF want OF patriot
ism and OF sympathy with Germany. Sir Henry
Irving has familiariZed playgoers IN this country
with the melodrama by his brilliant impersonation
OF the Polish Jew In The Bells
II not unit. the quarrel and litigation OF 1889
that the public learned Of the dual authorship OF
the numerous works attributed N "Erckmsnn-
Chatran."