Embassy To Constantinople Download Free (EPUB, PDF)
Today Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, one of the most independent and lively eighteenth-century women, is mainly remembered as an entertaining and erudite correspondent. Some of her most celebrated letters were written from Constantinople, where she was staying with her husband, Edward Wortley Montagu, the Ambassador to the Sultan's court. They lived with their young son in the Ottoman capital for fifteen months, and her letters, full of vivid and witty observations, provide a unique picture of Turkish life and customs.Lady Mary had the sympathetic curiosity of the true traveller; she was charmed by everything in Constantinople—the customs, costume, buildings and gardens—and was determined to see everything. She visited the Harem and explored the old quarter disguised in a heavy veil and flowing robes—even donning men's clothes to penetrate the all-male sanctity of the Santa Sophia mosque. The failure of her husband's peace mission brought an end to the visit. Reluctantly they sailed for home, with Lady Mary's pen still busily recording the details of the voyage.This illustrated edition of the Turkish letters has been edited to make it more immediately readable. A sparkling essay by Dervla Murphy, herself a fearless traveller, outlines the events of Lady Mary's life and explains how the letters came to be published in defiance of the family wishes. The illustrations, which are largely from the Searight Collection (now in the Victoria and Albert Museum), appear in book form for the first time and add greatly to the charm of this edition.Modern visitors to Turkey will be fascinated by this spirited portrait of an earlier age, while all who appreciate character, courage and a lively pen will enjoy meeting this most unusual woman.
Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: New Amsterdam Books; y First printing edition (December 28, 1988)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0941533417
ISBN-13: 978-0941533416
Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 0.8 x 7.7 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
Best Sellers Rank: #1,122,738 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #43 in Books > Reference > Writing, Research & Publishing Guides > Writing > Erotica #168 in Books > Travel > Asia > Turkey > General #1616 in Books > Travel > Europe > General
Lady Mary Wortley Montagu was one of those few women of her era who has left a testament to her experiences and life. This book is perfect for anyone remotely interested in early women adventurers and/or the life of an Englishwoman in Constantinople in the early 18th century. Lady M, after observing the traditional practice of inoculating children against smallpox pioneered the practice back in England with her own children. Eventually Lady M separated from her husband and pursued her much younger italian lover to his homeland.Truly a woman out of step with the prevailing view of women in her times, and this book is a real gem. It consists mainly of letters written to her family and friends.
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