Author’s Collection.] cleverly written, while other portions were clumsy and turgid. It depicted the experience of a Russian serf, _Paul Arniff_, who, loving an imperious woman of exalted social station, _Marianna Droganoff_, and finding his passion played with, first forced that disdainful female into marriage with him (as an alternative to drowning with him, on a remote tidal island to which he had lured her), and subsequently, raising himself to distinction by development of his natural talents, gained her genuine affection, and made her happy. Recalling the production of that play, Belasco writes: “At the time ’Paul Arniff’ was put into rehearsal there was in the Baldwin company a tall, slender young woman of singular complexion and striking appearance, whose stage name was Adelaide Stanhope. She came from Australia, where she had gained some reputation, but she had had no good opportunity at the Baldwin and was discouraged and dissatisfied. She and I had become friends, she was cast for the heroine of my play and, knowing the cause of her discontent and wishing to help her, I built up her character all I could during rehearsals,--O’Neill, ever chivalrous, generous and sympathetic, acquiescing, though it encroached a good deal on his own part: but the success she made and her consequent happiness more than repaid us both. She afterward became the wife of Nelson Wheatcroft, with whom I was associated at the Lyceum and the Empire, in New York.”--The Baldwin stock company, succeeding Miss Neilson, presented “Paul Arniff” on July 19, 1880, and acted in that play for one week. This was the cast: _Paul Arniff_ James O’Neill. _Count Andrea Droganoff_ James O. Barrows. _Baron Woronoff_ John Wilson. _M. de Verville_ ---- Doud. _Father Eliavna_ ---- Nowlin. _Marianna_ Adelaide Stanhope. _Princess Anna Orloff_ Jean Clara Walters. _Countess Droganoff_ Kate Denin. _Wanda_ Blanche Thorne. _Tforza_ Nellie Wetherill. WANING FORTUNES AT THE BALDWIN.