The Washington herald., 1911-12-10

When thes present Italian Ambassador,
Marquis Cusani ConfaloHi2ri. sent his
photograph to Mrs. Tryphosa Bates
Batcheller, the noted American writer
who is at present visitor TO Washing
ton. it bore the autographed inscription:
To Italy's most precious friend" which
was his way of expressing nations
gratitude to a gifted woman for her keen
and sympathetic insight into the lives
Of those who are shaping Italys destiny.
Because Of its history and its pictur-
esque appeal and its manifold allure
ments. Italy is the subject of more books
and travel articles than any other cOun-
try in the world. but they are, in the
main. panoramic views OF the country.
dwelling on its picturesque peasantry and
ruins of former greatness.
In her sumptuous gift book Of the
present sea son, italian Castles and
Country Seats" 0ongmans, Green & Coz,
Mrs. Tryphosa Bates-Batcheller deviates
significantly from the beaten paths of
the usual writer. giving a most brilliant
and intimate account of the present-day
country life Of the Italian nobility; Illus
tratiug the work with photographs taken
by her of royal personages, and the in
teriors Ct their homes. the permission
for the photogra phing Of which she alone
bellished with Illustrations in color.
While the cover of a book represents its
least important feature. that of Italian
Castles and Country Seats Is sufficient
ly unique to have attracted the attention
of bOoklovers the world over.
Royal Permission to Copy Binding.
The cover is beautiful copy of the old
Fifteenth Century MissaI. the authoress
having had royal permission to copy a
valuable ancient volume in one of the
old cathedrals' abroad. The imperial
eagle with the cross of Savoy. together
with the green binding, completes the
Italian coloTs. The book is a credit to
the bookmakers' art and altogether suit
able to the great Queen to whom the
work is dedicated by special permission
from QUEEN Margherita, the Queen Mother
Of Italy
1t will he recalled that Mrs. Bates
Batcheller's previous book on Italy,
"GIimpses of Italian Court Life" which
appeared in 1906, was dedicated by spe-
cial permission to her majesty Queen
Elena, who sent for the frontispiece of
that volume her autographed photograph.
Queens Autograph Picture.
In her present volume Mrs. Bates
Batcheller has been not only hOnored by
an autograph picture of her majesty
Queen Margherita, but his majesty the
King has granted favor rarely granted
before by sending his autographed pho
tograph for the book as well.
Using the romance of Italian history
merely as a background. Mrs. Bates
Eatcheller, in a rare and brilliant style,
brings US face to face with new Italy,
which has grown up in the past half CEN
fury on the ruins of old Italy, an Italy vital
., fy,FN Il
into It by Massini, CaYour, Garabaldi, and
Victor Emmanuel-an Italy that has been
built up and welded together in fifty
years, until it stands to-day one of the
greatest powers in the concert Of ma
tions.
The stupendous work represented in the
building has gone on for years under the
very eyes of travellers and writer's who
have gone to Italy for the express pur-
pose of seeing, but have remained blind
to 1t all
First Insight Into New Italy.
1t has remained for a gifted Land hon.
ored young American woman-Tryphosa
Pates-Batcheller-to give the first init
mate insight into this great new Italy
and into the lives of the people who have
exerted the greatest influence in shaping
the destiny OF the old-new nation.
The Possibility OF my Work-the init
mate quality of the book-is due largely
10 my splendid friends" said Mrs. Bates
Batcheller generously, in discussing her
work with the writer at the New Willard
yesterday. ....
There are hundreds of intimate photo
graphs which l could not have gotten
without their interest and appreciation"
she said. In speaking of the pictorial
interest OF the book.
It is true that the personal assistance
and encouragement of the royal family,
and the cooperation and help OF her
many italian friends, vas great help
to the young author In presenting pic
ture OF the Italy of to-day. that has
hitherto betn a sealed book 20 the public.
HonOred Guest of Royalty.
AS the authoress states in her pre-
face, there have indeed been many - oks
about Italy and Italian villas. but the.
reader is left with the impression that
these villas are beautiful monuments Of
a past life, that the gardens are inter-
esting because of their landscape archi-
lecture, and one received the definite
IMPRESSION that these villas and castles
stand alone and unoccupied, but IN the
present yslume now before us, We are