Evening star., 1939-12-24

raphy and folk lore.
Her latest work, "Tales of Swiss
Grandmother" is now being illus
trated by a famous artist In Switzer-
land, prior to its publication in the
near future.
The world has literally been Mrs.
Huntington's work bench" and her
travels in search Of folk tales, read
with enjoyment by adults and chill
dren alike, have led her around the
world and have involved over 100,-
600 miles of travel.
A visit to the spacious, book lined
office and library at her home, 1906
Twenty-third street NV, with its
business-like desk and typewriter
and its walls covered with originals
and photostatic reproductions of
illustrations contained in her folk
lore tales, gives an immediate i'm
preston that there is person who
really works and when she writes,
she knows of what she. il. writes"
There is an added realization that
the International Society of Woman
Geographers, of which Mrs. Hunt
ington is president, is fortunate to
have at its head one who has per-
sonally known and Travelled in vir-
tually every corner of the globe.
Interest in Geography
Inherited From Father.
Her interest in geography, history
and people was inherited from her
father, whose name has been promi-
nent in geographical fields for more
than 40 years. It was with her
father that Mrs. Huntington first
circumnavigated the globe, inter-
rupting her course at Smith College
from which she later graduated.
Mrs. Huntington says that her
real business is writing text books,
as her father did before her, but
her fun" comes from writing the
folklore tales which have contributed
so much to the American child's
knowledge of other lands.
II find relaxation in writing folk
lore" the authoress said, "as we'll as
gathering the material
Not content with mere research
work, Mrs. Huntington goes to the
countries where the tales are told
and personally interviews those who
know the traditional tales, check
ing and rechecking with many peo-
pie. She wants to be sure that
what she has gathered is really ma
tional and known throughout the
land.
Travelling with purpose is much
more interesting than merely ira
Yelling to see the world" Mrs.
Huntington declared. ut opens more
doors and leads to delightful ex.
periences, as well as offering con-
tracts with so many different peo-
ple.''
After preparing her manuscripts,
Mrs. Huntington has them read by
authorities on folklore in the lands
of which she has written. Her
illustrations also, she says, with one
exception, have been made by ma
tive artists in the countries whose
fairy tales and traditions she has
gathered and presented so delight
fully In the English language.
Pointing to some lovely water COL
ors which might have graced the
halls Of a Chinese mandarin in the
days Of old Pekin, she explained
they were illustrations for her
Chinese folklore tales and the only
one which had not been illustrated
by a native.
Il was unable to find a Chinese
artist at the time, but 1 had those
made by Dane who is an author
ity in this country on ancient
Chinese art she said.
Love of Children
Has Been a Factor.
A love of children and a knowl-
edge of their psychology has been
an additional factor towards Mrs.
Huntington's success in writing for
young people and just as she ac-
quired her geographical knowledge
through travel, she has learned much
about youth from her own two
daughters, who were born in Paris
when their father was on duty at
the American Embassy.
Her family, her lovely home and