divorce, when she becomes conscious of a sudden access of tenderness for him; [Illustration: Photograph by Mishkin Studio. Belasco’s Collection. TO DAVID BELASCO A souvenir of the production of the opera, “The Girl of the Golden West,” by Giacomo Puccini G. Gatti-Casazza David Belasco A. Toscanini Giacomo Puccini ] and, eventually,--though not until after various trips and stumbles on the track of reconciliation,--she first allows herself to be again married to him, and then allows herself to be convinced of his honest intentions and the sincerity of his love. A farce is well enough in its way: but to record industry of such a manager as Belasco and such an actress as Blanche Bates in such stuff as “Nobody’s Widow” is only to record wasted opportunity and disappointed expectation. In conversation with me Belasco has once or twice intimated some thought of proposing the resumption of Miss Bates’ management: it might be greatly to the public gain if that actress should return to his direction; but, while I earnestly hope it may come about, I do not believe it ever will: “The Bird of Time has but a little way To flutter--and the Bird is on the Wing.” A GREAT NIGHT.--BELASCO AT THE METROPOLITAN.--A GENEROUS ACKNOWLEDGMENT. During the season of 1906-’07 Belasco’s friend the Italian musical composer Puccini, who desired to write an opera on a characteristically American subject, made a visit to our country for the purpose of selecting one. While in New York, in January, 1907, he attended performances by Miss Frances Starr in “The Rose of the Rancho” and by Miss Bates in “The Girl,”--at the Academy of Music. After considerable cogitation his choice fell upon the latter, and while travelling to his home in Italy he wrote the following letter to Belasco: (_Giacomo Puccini to David Belasco._) Hôtel de Londres, Paris [France], March 7, 1907. “Dear Mr. Belasco:-- “I was exceedingly sorry to have left New York without seeing you once more. I have been thinking so much of your play, ‘The Girl of the Golden West,’ and I cannot help thinking that with certain modifications it might easily be adapted for the operatic stage. Would you be good enough to send me a copy of the play, to Torre del Lago, Pisa, Italia? I could then have it translated, study it more carefully, and write to you my further impressions. “I cannot express to you all the admiration I feel for your great talent, and how much impressed I was at the drama I saw at your theatre. “With kindest regards, and hoping to hear from you soon, “Yours sincerely, “GIACOMO PUCCINI.” Puccini’s wish was immediately complied with, and upon the basis of Belasco’s melodrama he wrote his opera of “La Fanciulla del West,”--which was sung, in Italian, “for the first time on any stage,” December 10, 1910, at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York: the libretto was “arranged” by [Illustration: IN REMEMBRANCE