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- South Sea Sketches.
South Sea Sketches.
Dahlgren, Madeleine Vinton.
James R. Osgood, ( 1881), Boston
19 cm. vi - 238 pp.
Price: $125
Madeleine was the second wife of Admiral John A. Dahlgren, and a noted writer and anti-sufferagist. She authored at least a dozen books, including a biography of her husband, but this is her only travel narrative. It is written as a series of letters to her daughter. She took the land route across central America to meet the Admiral, who was in charge of the Pacific Squadron at Callao, then traveled up and down the Pacific coast of South America, concentrating on Peru and Chili. She’s an engaging, energetic writer, but her prejudices occasionally overcome the narrative – “And now comes the Chola wearing immense hoops. She sits astride, in a free and easy way that would delight our woman’s righter at home… She is many feet broad, wearing a Panama hat, and a sleek looking baby is strapped in the poncho on her back and saucily peeps out/ Shade of Sancho Panza preserve us!” First edition in publisher’s decorated binding. Very good condition with only minor cover wear.
