The Washington times., 1913-12-21
AMBASSADOR R|ANO
TOGREET AUTHORIZES
Mrs. Bates BatcheIIer, Who
Wrote Book on Spain, Due
Saturday.

Mrs. Bates Batcheller. of Massachu-
sets. whose book on Spain has lust
been published. will be entertained next
Saturday by the Spanish Ambassador
and Nine. Riano. Mr.. and Mrs. Batch
eiler will leave for New York the fol-
lowing day. ,e \.
Mrs. Batcheller's book presents a real
picture Of Spain from the pen of a
writer who knows the country, the peo.
pie and the language. who has studied
carefully and thoroughly the conditions
Of Spain of today and made these con-
ditions Ineligible to the American peo-
pie. not only by a clear. graphic mar
rative, but by giving also a vivid ac-
count OF Spain's past history. which cx-
plains much as to why Spain Is as 1t is
today. Travellers tnspain Of recent
print. but really comprehensive pic
ture Of modern Spain we have not had
and that 10 precisely what Mrs. Bates
Batcheller has given us, and In a gor-
geous volume as beautiful to look at
as II Is interesting to read, and present.
Ing an intimate description OF Spain
and Spaniards that We believe no other
American has been privileged to see.
Indeed. the Spanish Princess. the aunt
Of the King. writes the following state
ment. with permission to publish:
Mrs. Bates Batcheller has thoroughly
studied Spain, It's history, Its institu-
dons. art, literature and people The
Unusual opportunities given the au-
tage of and she has an intimate knowl-
edge OF all classes Of society.
she has carefully and correctly
studied these classes. and understands
thsm. No foreigner has better UNDER
stood the Spanish people. and certainly
also no American has enjoyed the init
mate friendship of the Spanish royal
family that has been accorded Mrs.
Bates Batcheller. recommend her
opinions. her views and her judgments
ish Book Viii sreatiy strengthen 'tn the
OF INFRsT% IN RasE1Ha El}n 1nlt Of
Authoyess' Position Unique.
This is the best evidence Of Mrs. Bates
Batchelier's unique position In Spain. ut
court and throughout the, country. The
frontispiece, fine photograph Of the
King of Spain; dedicated and auto
graphed by his majesty to Mrs. B:.es-
Batche!ler. proves that the volume 10
authoritative.
In her preface. which is beautifully
written and shows high literary ability.
Mrs. Bates-Batcheller says:
Spain Is each year attracting, more
and more. the notice and admiration Of
the world. and II Is because Of the very
kindly reception given to my preceding
Italian books by their majesties the
King and Queen and Queen Margherita
Of Italy, by the public and the press,
because also of the expressed approval
OF their maJesties the King and
Queen OF spain and Queen Maria Chris
tina. who have honored me by accept
ing and reading these volumes; becauxe
OF the gratifying ENCOURAGEMENT Of
their majesties as well as Of my distin-
gutsSed friend. her royal highnese the
Infsnta Eulalia. and because Of my sin
present. that ! have undertaken to pre-
GENT to the public Q true picture Of
spain of today with q background of
Spain as IL has been through the vary.
ing ages Of the past"
And that Is exactly what the author
ess has succeeded SO spiendily In doing,
and II is exactly also what the Ameri-
can people needed and wanted at the
present, for things Spanish and Spanish
character are altogether too little un-
derstood here in the States, and, In
view OF present conditions. the very
tion.
Follows Letter Style.
Mrs Batcheller has had the good
sense. too. to continue her delightful
letter style.
At the present day the personal note
ders of Marconi and electricity. and al
though the letter style Is perhaps the
most difficult to make literature when
u is beautifully done. It Is most de-
lightful reading. In psrsuing the pages
letters Of st. Beuve and Mime. de lie,
vignie. and surely Mrs. Batcheller may
now be ranked with these letterwriters
OF the past. for she Is certainly mistress
Of the letter style. which seems 30 essy
that it oft becomes trap for unskiiled
made but too apparent by the disas-
trous results. II Is not a slight task to |
write freely and easily OF great people. !
describe their doings and sayings, and |
yet never be indiscreet. but the au-
thoress has both tact. taste. and a keen
sense. evidently. Of the fitness Of things, |
a fact. no doubt we'll known to the !
many Of Europe's sovereigns who have |
horored her with favors. decorations |
and, best Of all. with their confidence !
Emperor has sisnally honored the young !
and asked her to write of his |
country and the many, peoples under
Presented at nearly every European
court by Americas diplomatic represent
tatives in each. this beautiful woman |
seems to have found favor with all and |
the account Of her honors and intimate |
favors from the sovereigns of the world |
Is as interesting as II is unique. Ger.
Iainly no other American woman has
had the rare honors that have come to |
Mrs. Batcheller. vet she has no official |
position what ever. OF course. her high
social position in her own country would |
assure her the courtesies Of the Amer /
can embassies everywhere, but that |
would not account for the many inti-
mate marks of favor shown the young
writer. nor would the fact that Mrs, |
Batcheller speaks some seven languages |
nuently and is the possessor OF a rarely |
beautiful voice. that has been skiilfully |
trained. explain the fact that. for her. |
court rules and court etiquette have
been more than once broken or set aside |
and invitations extended to her when |
no other person outside the diplomatic |
corps was similarly favored.
Has Art of Making Friends.
The fact is. as was apparent to The
that Mrs. Batcheller has the
gentle art of making friends down to
the finest point. and what, after all. is
quite as important, she has the art of
keeping them.
Besides" said Mrs Bateheiler, tn
The Times reporter. 81 am very hard
worker. and l love my musical work
md my writing; but I also dearly
owe my friends. Just because one is
sIT.>a 49,