Description
By Edith O’Shaughnessy. Step into the elegant yet turbulent world of early twentieth-century diplomacy in this fascinating memoir of politics, society, and international intrigue.
In Diplomatic Days, writer and diplomat’s wife Edith O’Shaughnessy offers readers a vivid firsthand glimpse into the world of foreign embassies, international politics, and social life during a period of global change and unrest. Written with wit, intelligence, and keen observation, this classic memoir captures the atmosphere of diplomatic circles at a time when revolutions, political upheavals, and shifting alliances were reshaping the modern world.
Drawing upon her experiences abroad alongside her husband, U.S. diplomat Nelson O’Shaughnessy, Edith O’Shaughnessy recounts encounters with political leaders, aristocrats, revolutionaries, and fellow diplomats while describing life inside embassies and foreign capitals. The book offers readers an insider’s perspective on the customs, ceremonies, tensions, and hidden dramas that lay behind the formal world of diplomacy.
Part memoir, part travel narrative, and part political observation, Diplomatic Days combines personal storytelling with vivid depictions of the countries and societies O’Shaughnessy encountered. Her writing captures both the glamour and uncertainty of an age overshadowed by revolution and international conflict, providing valuable insight into a world on the brink of transformation.
As she writes in the foreword:
“The letters which form this volume were written in a period of delightful leisure, when I was receiving my first impressions of Mexico. The might and beauty of the great Spanish civilization, set in a frame of exceeding natural loveliness, kindled new enthusiasms, and to it all was added the spectacle of that most passionately personal of human games, Mexican politics.
“I saw as in a glass darkly dim forms whose outlines I could not distinguish, and I heard as from a distance the confused cries of a people about to undergo a supreme national crisis, where the greatest delicacy and reserve were necessary on the part of the neighboring nations.”
Written in an engaging and sophisticated style, the book remains a compelling historical portrait of diplomatic life during the early twentieth century. More than a personal memoir, it is a window into the political and social atmosphere of an era that shaped modern international relations.
This carefully restored reprint revives a captivating historical memoir for modern readers. Ideal for lovers of diplomatic history, travel writing, political memoirs, and early twentieth-century history, Diplomatic Days continues to fascinate with its blend of elegance, observation, and historical insight.
About the author: Edith O’Shaughnessy (1870–1939) was an American writer and memoirist known for her vivid accounts of diplomatic and political life in Latin America during the early twentieth century. As the wife of U.S. diplomat Nelson O’Shaughnessy, she wrote several widely read memoirs that offered firsthand perspectives on diplomacy, revolution, and international society.
Contents:
I: First impressions of the tropics—Exotic neighbors on shipboard—Havana—Picturesque Mayan stevedores—Vera Cruz—The journey up to Mexico City
II: First visit to the Embassy—Adjusting oneself to a height of eight thousand feet in the tropics—Calle Humboldt—Mexican servants—Diplomatic dinners—Progress of Maderista forces.
III: Mexico in full revolution—Diaz’s resignation wrung from him—Memories of the “King in Exile”—President de la Barra sworn in—Social happenings—Plan de San Luis Potosí.
IV: First reception at Chapultepec Castle—First bullfight—A typical Mexican earthquake—Madero’s triumphal march through Mexico City—Three days of adoration.
V: Dinner at the Japanese Legation—The real history of the Japanese in Mexico—Dinner at the Embassy—Coronation services for England’s king—The rainy season sets in.
VI: Speculations as to the wealth of “the Greatest Mexican”—Fourth of July—Madero as evangelist—The German minister’s first official dinner with the Maderos as the clou.
VII: The old monastery of Tepozotlan—Lively times on the Isthmus—The Covadonga murders—The Chapultepec reception—Sidelights on Mexican housekeeping—Monte de Piedad.
VIII: Elim’s fourth birthday party—Haggling over the prices of old Mexican frames—Zapata looms up—First glimpse of General Huerta—Romantic mining history of Mexico.
IX: The Vírgen de los Remedios—General Bernardo Reyes—A description of the famous ceremony of the “Grito de Dolores” at the palace.
X: The uncertainty of Spanish adverbs—Planchette and the destiny of the state—Madame Bonilla’s watery garden party—De la Barra’s “moderation committee”—Madero’s “reform platform.”
XI: Election of Madero—The strange similarity between a Mexican election and a Mexican revolution—The penetrating cold in Mexican houses—Madame de la Barra’s reception—The Volador.
XII: Dia de Muertos—Indian booths—President de la Barra relinquishes his high office—Dinner at the Foreign Office—Historic Mexican streets—Madero takes the oath.
XIII: Uprising in Juchitan—Madero receives his first delegation—The American arrest of Reyes—Chapultepec Park—Sidelights on Juchitan troubles—Zapata’s Plan de Ayala.
XIV: The feast of Guadalupe—Peace reigns on the Isthmus—Earthquakes—Madero in a dream—The French colony ball—Studies in Mexican democracy—Christmas preparations.
XV: The first Christmas in Mexico City—Hearts sad and gay—Piñatas—Statue to Christopher Columbus.
XVI: Off for Tehuantepec—A journey through the jungles—The blazing tropics—Through Chivela Pass in the lemon-colored dawn—Ravages of the revolution—A race of queens.
XVII: Gathering clouds—“Tajada” the common disease of republics—Reception at Chapultepec—Madero in optimistic mood—His views of Mexico’s liabilities to America.
XVIII: Washington warns Madero—Mobilization orders—A visit to the Escuela Preparatoria—A race of old and young—The watchword of the early fathers.
XIX: A tragic dance in the moonlight—Unveiling George Washington’s statue—The Corps Diplomatique visits the Pyramids of San Juan Teotihuacan—Orozco in full revolt.
XX: Madero shows indications of nervous tension—Why one guest of Mexico’s President did not sit down—A novena with Madame Madero—Picture-writing on maguey—Picnic at El Desierto—San Fernando.
XXI: Mexico’s three civilizing, constructive processes—A typical Mexican family group—Holy Week—“La Catedral” on a “canvas” of white flowers—Reply of the Mexican government
XXII: The home of President Madero’s parents—Señor de la Barra returns from Europe—Zapatistas move on Cuernavaca—Strange disappearances in Mexico—Oil—The President and the railways.
XXIII: The “Apostle” begins to feel the need of armed forces—A statesman “who is always revealing something to somebody”—Nursing the wounded at Red Cross headquarters.
XXIV: One Indian’s view of voting—Celebrating the King’s birthday at the British Legation—A single occasion when Mexican “pillars of society” appear—Reception at Don Pedro Lascurain’s.
XXV: Orozco and his troops flee toward the American border—A typical conversation with President Madero—Huerta’s brilliant campaign in the north—The French fêtes—San Joaquin.
XXVI: Balls at the German Legation and at Madame Simon’s—Necaxa—A strange, gorge-like world of heat and light—Mexican timetables—The French trail.
XXVII: A luncheon for Gustavo Madero—Celebrating the Grito at the Palace—The President’s brother explains his philosophy—Hacienda of San Cristobal—A typical Mexican Sunday dinner.
XXVIII: Good-bye to Mexico, and a special farewell to Madame Madero—Vera Cruz—Mexico in perspective.
