Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-05
Brings Gifts to Library
LETTERS AND MANUSCRIPTS To BE PRESENTED TO U. g.
FROM a years absence abroad,
Mrs. Bates Batcheller of Paris
and washington has returned

TROM a years absence abroad
- Mrs. Bates Batcheller of Paris
and Washington has returned
Il home to present to the Library
4 of Congress rare collection OF
original letters, manuscript music by
great composers, autographed photo
graphs of world-famous figures and
many other documents Of exceptional
value
During her stay abroad Mrs. Batchel-
| ler, who is a musician and author in
her own right, enjoyed the friendship
of royalty and prominent leaders in the
artistic world. In times past she has
been the recipient of decorations in
recognition of her work and services
from the governments of Italy, France,
Belgium, Great Britain and Spain.
Her gift to the Library of Congress is
the result of a natural love and inter-
est in Libraries, inherited from her
forebears. Her grandfather, Joshua
Bates, first conceived the idea OF a
public library for the people, and in
the Boston Library there Is a room
named in his honor. Theordore C.
Bates of Worcester, Mass, Mrs. Batch
eller's father, founded the library at
the Bates Summer home, at North
Brookfield.
Lived Abroad for Years.
Already $50 documents and photo
graphs have been presented by Mrs.
Batcheller to the Library of Congress
through Herbert Putnam, the librarian,
a personal friend for many years. Mrs.
Batcheller will be in Washington for
several days in order to compile the
remainder of the letters and manu-
scripts to be presented to the Library.
These will number approximately 1000.
Although Mrs Bachelors childhood
was spent in the home of her ancestors,
North Brookfield and Worcester, Mass,
she has lived many years of her life
in the countries of Europe, being as
much at home in France and Italy as
she is in the United States. Although
Mrs. Batcheller'S avocations, writing
and music, have taken her to the ar
tistic centers of the Old World, the
greater part of her life, she says most
emphatically that she is "all American"
and never permits herself to stay away
from her own country long enough to
get out of touch with national affairs
and progress.
The possesSor of a remarkably beau
tiful soprano voice, Mrs. Batcheller has
sung before practically all the crowned
heads of Europe and her great love of
music has been one of the bonds which
has held to her so closely the music
loving perSonageS OF the european
courts.
An authoress as well as musician, this
accomplished American woman has al
ready published three successful books
on foreign lands. One on Spain, bears
the autographed photograph of King
Alfonso, who bestowed upon Mrs. Batch
eller the Order of Alphonso the 18th.
Only two other foreigners have been
awarded this distinction.
Decorated BY France.
Two other books written by Mrs.
Bachelor deal with places and person.
ages of Italy. All of her volumes are
beautifully illustrated by photographs
taken by the authoress, who by the
beauty of her pictures has proven her.
self as skilled photographer and artist
as she is a writer.
Of ell her works, however, Mrs Batch
eller is proudest of the volume writ
ten in French at the suggestion Of the
late Marshal Foch, who was one of her