From A Bibliography of Alexandre Dumas père by Frank Wild Reed: A prose drama in five acts.
Dumas had nothing to do with the construction of this drama, none the less he was the originator in some sort, and it requires to be named in a bibliography devoted to him.
The authors were Anicet Bourgeois and Lockroy. They drew the play from Dumas' "Scènes Historiques" (later a part of "Isabel de Bavière") after their appearance in the "Revue des Deux-Mondes," but before they were published complete in book form. Dumas' permission was not asked, and he, being absent in Switzerland at the time, had no opportunity of either knowing of the matter or taking any steps, supposing the law then allowed such, which is doubtful, to prevent the theft. No credit was given to the author of the "Scènes Historiques."
In his "Mémoires" Dumas says that the "Scènes" made no stir, but the play was very successful. "Although I had done at least as much of it as of 'Le Fils de l'Émigré,' they were most careful not to mention my name," he adds.
On the other hand, some of the reviews very highly praised the historical investigations which underlay this piece, even contrasting it with the failure of "Le Fils de l'Emigré." When, some years later, "Isabel de Bavière" appeared complete in its turn, and, of course, including the chapters which had appeared in the "Revue des Deux-Mondes," Dumas was accused by some ignorant critics, unfamiliar with the periodical publication of his historical studies, of having stolen his matter from the drama of "Périnet Leclerc" !
Vapereau (1865) says : "A moving picture of the factions which rent Paris under Charles VI."
First performed at the Porte Saint Martin Théâtre on the 3rd of September, 1832.
Original edition: Paris, Barba, 1832.
References :—
Dumas: "Mes Mémoires," Chapter CCLIII.
Thieme (1907): "Guide Bibliographique," Article on Anicet Bourgeois.
Vapereau: "Dictionnaire des Contemporains" (1865).—Article on Anicet Bourgeois.
