Transcriber’s Notes: Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). Additional Transcriber’s Notes are at the end. * * * * * [Illustration: MRS. NELSON O’SHAUGHNESSY] A DIPLOMAT’S WIFE IN MEXICO BY EDITH O’SHAUGHNESSY [MRS. NELSON O’SHAUGHNESSY] _Letters from the American Embassy at Mexico City, covering the dramatic period between October 8th, 1913, and the breaking off of diplomatic relations on April 23rd, 1914, together with an account of the occupation of Vera Cruz_ ILLUSTRATED [Illustration] HARPER & BROTHERS PUBLISHERS NEW YORK AND LONDON * * * * * A DIPLOMAT’S WIFE IN MEXICO Copyright, 1916, by Harper & Brothers Printed in the United States of America Published June, 1916 H-Q CONTENTS FOREWORD ix I Arrival at Vera Cruz--Mr. Lind--Visits to the battle-ships--We reach Mexico City--Huerta’s second _coup d’état_--A six-hour Reception at the Chinese Legation. An all-afternoon hunt for the Dictator. Page 1 II Sanctuary to Bonilla--Sir Lionel and Lady Carden--Carranza--Mexican servants--First Reception at the American Embassy--Huerta receives the Diplomatic Corps--Election Day and a few surprises. Page 14 III Federal and Rebel excesses in the north--Some aspects of social life--Mexico’s inner circle--Huerta’s growing difficulties--Rabago--The “Feast of the Dead.”--Indian booths at the Alameda--The Latin-American’s future. Page 28 IV The “Abrazo”--Arrival of Mr. Lind--Delicate negotiations in progress--Luncheon at the German Legation--Excitement about the bull-fight--Junk-hunting--Americans in prison--Another “big game” hunt. Page 40 V Uncertain days--The friendly offices of diplomats--A side-light on executions--Mexican street cries--Garza Aldape resigns--First official Reception at Chapultepec Castle--The jewels of Cortés. Page 50 VI “Decisive word” from Washington--A passing scare--Conscription’s terrors--Thanksgiving--The rebel advance--Sir Christopher Cradock--Huerta’s hospitable waste-paper basket. Page 66 VII Huerta visits the Jockey Club--Chihuahua falls--“The tragic ten days”--Exhibition of gunnery in the public streets--Mexico’s “potential Presidents”--“The Tiger of the North.” Page 77 VIII The sad exodus from Chihuahua--Archbishop Mendoza--Fiat money--Villa’s growing activities--Indian stoicism--Another Chapultepec Reception--A day of “Mexican Magic” in the country. Page 92 IX