29. “Hearts of Oak” was performed for first time in New York, at the New Fifth Avenue Theatre--untruthfully announced as “by James A. Herne.” Failure. During this engagement Herne was several times incapacitated to perform and Belasco appeared in his place as _Terry Dennison_. April. 16. Last performance of first “Hearts of Oak” engagement in New York. Belasco and Herne took their play to the Arch Street Theatre, Philadelphia. There Herne quarrelled with Belasco and bought his half-interest in the play for $1500, which he did not pay till several years later. Belasco returned to New York, seeking employment, but could not obtain it. He then made his way, by various shifts, across the continent, to his home in San Francisco. June. 16. Belasco reached San Francisco, after his disastrous experience with Herne and “Hearts of Oak.” He obtained immediate employment at the Baldwin Theatre, where Adelaide Neilson was then playing her farewell engagement (it began on June 8). James H. Vinson and Robert M. Eberle were, officially, the stage managers: Belasco officiated as assistant stage manager and as prompter, and, on July 17, he “rang down” the curtain on _the last performance ever given_ by Miss Neilson:--_Juliet_, in Balcony Scene from “Romeo and Juliet,” and _Amy Robsart_, in the play of that name. During this engagement at the Baldwin, though actually he performed much important labor, both as stage manager and as writer and adapter of plays, Belasco’s acknowledged position was wholly subsidiary: for reasons of business expediency he again assumed, for a time, use of the name Walter Kingsley. July. 19. His play of “Paul Arniff” was produced, for the first time, at the Baldwin Theatre: it is founded in part on “The Black Doctor.” August. 16. John T. Malone made his first appearance on the stage, acting _Richelieu_, at the Baldwin, under the direction of Belasco. 30. A new version, by Belasco, of T. P. Cooke’s “True to the Core” was acted at the Baldwin.