The Washington herald., 1913-12-21
Author of ''Italian Castles
and Country Estates" Pro-
duces Remarkable Volume
on Land of Hidalgos.

A few years ago Mrs. Bates-Batcheller
published her italian Castles and Coun-
try Seats" a book of which The Herald
wrote, "a remarkable book by a remark
able woman" We have now received her
latest publication, Royal Spain Of To-
day." dedicated by special permission
to their majesties, the King and Queen
of Spain, which, If possible, is more
sumptuous than her italian volume, and
certainly much broader in scope.
Books on Spain there have been, to be
sure, but none that gives us quite the
same picture of the people, high and low.
The following letter recently written,
with permission to publish, by her royal
highness, the Infanta Eulalia of Spain,
will show how great have been Mrs.
Batchellers successes in winning the
friendship of Spain's sovereigns, and her
opportunities to observe their country:
Mrs. Bates-BatchelIer has thoroughly
studied Spain, its history, its institu-
tions, art, literature, and people. The
unusual opportunities given the authoress
have been cleverly taken advantage of,
and she has an intimate knowledge Of
all classes of society. She has carefully
studied these classes and understands
them. No foreigner has better under
stood the Spanish people, and certainly
also no American has enjoyed the init
mate friendship of the Spanish royal
Bates-Batcheller. I recommend her opin-
ions, her views, and her judgment Of my
country, and feel that her Spanish book
will greatly strengthen the friendship OF
my nation with that Of America
"INFANTA EULALIA."
Praised by Royal Critics.
Indeed, Mrs. Bates-Batcheller's books
have been accepted, read, and approved
by nearly every sovereign of Europe, and
the great Emperor Francis Joseph OF
Austria conferred upon the young Amer
lean an unprecedented honor, summoning
her to a private audience at Schonbrunn
Castle, when he expressed the hope that
Mrs. Bates-Batcheller would write a vol
ume on his country. In Germany the
Emperor and Empress have accepted her
writings with favor, and in England King
George and Queen Mary have received
with marked approval the Italian vol
umes. Queen Alexandra expressed her
admiration of the Italian writings, and
the hope that Mrs. Bates-Batcheller
would write of English castles and coun-
try seats. Again in Copenhagen the
Dowager Empress of Russia expressed
the hope that Mrs. Bates-Batcheller
would come to Russia and write about
that country. In a visit in Scandinavia,
made last September with the 1nfanta
Eulalia, King Gustave expressed the hope
eller's interest.
Invited by other SOvereiEns.
Similar invitations have come from
Norway's and Denmark's sovereigns. as
well as from japanese diplomats. to write
of sunny Japan. Also, she has been in
vited by his royal highness. Prince Henry
Of Bavaria, to write on that lovely coun-
try.
But when We read Mrs. Bates-Batch-
eller's books we are not surprised that
she has won the confidence OF her dis
tinguished friends, for they are indeed
rare, true, intimate pictures of people |
and places, inaccessible for the most part, |
to the general public, yet described with |
charm, taste, and clearness
One is constantly reminded throughout |
her books that Mrs. Bates-Batcheller is |
a real artist. She is equally successful |
in her book designing and in her pho