of Henry Irving in the scene of _King Louis’_ confessional, the scene of his paroxysm of maniacal wrath, the scene of his supplication for life, and the scene of his august and awful death, opens the depths of the human heart, lays bare the possible depravity of human nature, depicts a great character in such a way as to illumine the historic page, and conveys a most solemn monition on the conduct of life. During his first engagement in San Francisco Sheridan acted _Rover_, in “Wild Oats”; _Lesurques_ and _Dubosc_, in “The Lyons Mail”; _Claude Melnotte_, _Shylock_, _Richelieu_, _Othello_, _Hamlet_, and _Sir Giles Overreach_, in “A New Way to Pay Old Debts.” Laura Don, making her first appearance in San Francisco, November 24, played _Lady Amaranth_ to his _Rover_, and _Julie_ to his _Lesurques_: Lillie Eddington played _Pauline_, _Portia_, and other leading female parts with him. He was supported by “the new Baldwin Company,” which had been organized just prior to his coming to San Francisco, and which included Joseph R. Grismer and “Harry” Colton. All the plays were produced under Belasco’s stage management, and his familiarity with them and his indefatigable zeal in rehearsals made his assistance invaluable to Sheridan. That actor filled several subsequent engagements in San Francisco, and his acting so vividly impressed Belasco that he gave public imitations of him in _King Louis_ and in other parts. Sheridan served in the Union Army during the Civil War and attained to the rank of captain. He married the actress Louise Davenport (his first wife, Sarah Hayes, died in 1872), went with her to Australia in 1886, and died there, in Sydney, May 15, 1887. He was the impersonator of _Beamish McCoul_, in “Arrah-na-Pogue,” when that play was originally performed in America, at Niblo’s Garden, New York, July 12, 1865,--an occasion I have particular reason to remember because that was the first theatrical performance reviewed by me for “The New York Tribune.” Of Laura Don, with whom Belasco became acquainted at the time of Sheridan’s first San Francisco engagement, he gives this recollection: LAURA DON.--AN UNFULFILLED AMBITION.