Woolson Morse has nearly completed his new opera, the story of which is based on a Mother Goose nursery rhyme. It is to be called "Madame Piper."

A magnificent opera bouffe company will come to us from France next season. Capoul will be at the head of it.

Of Strauss' "Merry War," the Neue Freie Presse of Vienna says: "The music is like the fire from a mitrailleuse; one melody succeeds another, and each one has its effect on the audience. The great charm of the music is that, although heard over and over again, it remains always fresh and fascinating. The airs are now common property, and are whistled, sung and hummed by everybody; street musicians and military bands play them, and at every ball one hears lancers, quadrilles and polkas taken bodily from the 'Merry War.'" The opera was brought out at the New York Thalia last Monday evening.

Manager Mapleson tells the London Times that Americans want too much for their money.

Mrs. Langtry has won not her spurs exactly but her ribbons already on the stage. All the women of fashion in London are wearing caps modelled on one worn by her as Kate Hardcastle, with a quaint full border of lace. The last dramatic furor in caps was created by Ellen Terry when she played Olivia.

Bonfanti, who was black-haired, voluptuously pretty, and had eyes that almost spoke, fell in love, just when her success was greatest, with the petted scion of an aristocratic family - a young man with plenty of money and a social position that might well be envied. But he gave up all this for love of the Italian girl, and, despite the entreaties of his family and the certainty of social ostracism, married her, and took her from the stage.