On an elevation overlooking the Hudson, just where Riverside Drive makes a graceful curve as if to spare "Minniesland," the old home of Audubon, the great naturalist (which we have also described), stands the classic home of the Hispanic Society of America, which is devoted to the advancement of Spanish literature, art and history. The entrance proper is on Broadway between One Hundred and Fifty-fifth and One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Streets and the nearest station is at One Hundred and Fifty-seventh Street.

 The Hispanic Society is thus conveniently reached, and the stranger who decides to spend an hour or two within its walls will have visited one of the most remarkable institutions not only in New York, but in the world as well. In fact, the Hispanic Society probably is better known in foreign countries than it is at home, though in recent years its local fame has greatly increased, partly by reason of the splendid exhibitions of Spanish art which it has given from time to time. Its late exhibition of Spanish tapestries is a case in point. Lovers of art were thus enabled to use the best examples of the most famous Spanish creations in this ancient art, and our country thus received the benefit. The lately increased interest in Spanish America has also even the society an added importance that is rapidly growing as its usefulness becomes more widely known

The collections of the society, though small, are of exquisite quality. No attempt has been made to include the varying grades of certain illustrative originals, the idea being to limit the exhibits to the very best specimen obtainable in each class, and also one other that might be described as generally typical. In this manner the society has gathered examples of wood carving, silver work, ivory plaques and combs of Phoenician origin, Hispano-Moresque plaques, Neolithic and Roman pottery, Buen-Retiro ware, azulejos or glazed tiles, Roman mosaics and ecclesiastical embroideries, etc. Most of them are of the greatest rarity and many date from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, or are even earlier.

As the society delights to encourage special research in literature and strives to promote new and original investigation so that the result may be literature by itself, it offers special facilities to those pursuing such studies, and its library is, without exception the most important devoted to this particular school in America. Of its original manuscripts, first editions, etc., New York is justly proud. It includes a large collection of the work of Lambert Palmart, of Valencia, the first printer of Spain, with some specimens of contemporary printers of Germany and Italy for purposes of comparison; the first editions of important Spanish authors and a unique special collection, including nearly every known edition of "Don Quixote"-itself an item of absorbing interest and value; autograph letters of Charles the Fifth and the Duke of Wellington; manuscripts of George Borrow and Robert Southey; some ancient maps and rare old prints and beautifully illuminated mediaeval liturgical books. The society gives its cordial co-operation to sincere workers and upon application to the librarian the treasures of the library are freely placed at the disposal of readers. It is doubtful if such a similar collection of Spanish memorabilia is extant in any other country in the world.

The existence of the society has been known to the people of New York in a perfunctory way since its opening in 1904. Its building was admired, but considered too far out of the run of things to warrant a special visit. One morning, however, the city buzzed with excitement concerning the advent of a hitherto unheard of artist Sorolla, whose works were being exhibited at the Hispanic. The Land of Velazquez, of Fortuny, of Murillo, of Goya had once more seized the scepter of vanished power and like a meteor the splendor of Sorolla's work flashed across the New World.

New York hastened to pay homage to the genius who had in a moment revived the ancient glories of Leon and Castile. Long lines formed their tortuous lengths in and around the building, and more people viewed Sorolla's pictures in a shorter time than was ever before recorded. The importance of this exhibition did much to focus public attention upon the art treasures possessed by the society, and for the time being over-shadowed its other attractions. Its pictures are undoubtedly entitled to the high praise bestowed upon them, as they are of exceptional importance. There are three splendid examples of Velasquez's work. There are paintings by El Greco, Goya, Ribera, Zurzaran, Fortuny, Madrazo, Sorolla, Zuloaga and many other distinguished Spanish artists. The Duke of Alba's is only one among other famous portraits in the society's collection, of which King Alphonso by Sorolla is another. The Queen of Spain is represented. The collection is fully entitled to be called representative in the best sense of the word. 

A bronze bust of Collis P. Huntington, father of the founder and to whom the building is a memorial, is of special interest. It is on the right as you enter. The building is open from 10 to 5 every day of the week, but the library is closed on Sundays.