The Washington times., 1913-12-21
QUEEN VICTORIA EUGENIA
And Infanta Dona Beatriz.

quently spent with his ministers and IN
4. seriously considering the affairs of his
! Kingdom and government. That he has
| remarkable health to endure the con-
state there is no doubt, but that his
regular and daily out-of-door physical
exercise greatly tends to- the mainten-
ance Of that health and makes pos
sible the mental exertion for the bene-
at OF his people is also certain
Indeed, Mrs. Bstcheller gives charm
ing picture Of family love and devotion
In her description OF the young Span
ish sovereigns and their children. IL
troubles along with all other chill
dren. for court etiquette and military
rule extend even to the tiny tots OF
royal birth.
From their earliest youth." writes
Mrs. Batcheiier. these royal children
will be trained to self-control, self-de-
niai and constant thought Of others
u training which fits any human being
far better TO- guide others than a
fond and very indufEent parents. Power
Is not a thing TO be trif1ed with. 1t
certainly causes most people to lose
their heads, and the long, careful train
given at the present day is the best
possible fitting for Its use. An an
nouncement has been made of the little
Prince Of Asturias' election as honorary
Colonel OF an lUrtlUtTy pPttallOn IN Tar
,agona. Thns early do they visit upon
the tiny baby titles decorations and
military orders. which ut the Garlic st
7 oss'ble moment will he made neavJ-
responsibilities.
Queen Victoria Eusenia is described
as a lovely mother. and a vivid and
trillis mt pen portrait is given of the
Dowager Queen Maria Christina.
Evidently Mrs. Batcheller has the
real soul Of an artist. and an artist she
,Arka trIx ;c x.rivh hAr
are the rare interiors that 20 to make
up the series Of some eighty or more
fine Illustrations, rooms in stately pal
aces never open to the public, but to
which Mrs. Batchellcr had access as
friend Of The owners.
Rare Documents Reproduced.
Besides a beautiful picture Of a salon
in the famous palace of the Duke OF
Alba, we are surprised but highly in
terested to find the reproductions Of
some precious manuscripts Of Christo-
pher Columbus. the. map he drew on
seeing land in the Western Hemisphere
and letter of the great Italian written
when an admiral Of the Spanish navy.
These documents are reproduced. thanks
to the courtesy of the Duke of Alba,
whose father was a frequent visitor to
New York. and who died in 1891 in that
city. We find too, the familiar picture
of Senior Pima. VINO, as the Spanish
minister for some years, was highly
popular here in Washington.
There are color plates from pictures
by Spanish artists that seem 30. fairly
exude the Spanish sunshine. Mrs. Batch
eller believes, evidently. that "bien
fairc OH rien faire' Is the right way to
60 at things, and OF the oft-described
Alhambra she tells us much that Is new.
points out errors In the translations Of
Arabic verses, and gives quite as fine
a description Of that famous Moorish
palace as we can recall. Altogether, the
literature, art, music. and architecture
have their pleasant portion in the mar
rative, and while we are interested We
are almost unconsciously instructed.
Has Recent Decoration.
But have you not recently received
a new dscoration?" queried the writer.
Yes" responded Mrs. Batcheller; :it
Is very gratifying to me that the Order
of the League of Mercy has been con-
ferred on me by King George of Eng
land, through His Serene Highness,
Prince Alexander of Teck. The order Is
given only for exceptional work and
personal effort for the poor OF London"
II Is an order eagerly sought. but
rarely given even In England. Jewels
have been presented Mrs. Batcheller by
Queen Margherita and other sovereigns
for her voice. and she said she had sung