57. C[ALDERON] DE LA B[ARCA], Madame [F. E.].
Life in Mexico, During a Residence of Two Years...with a
Preface by W. H. Prescott. London: Chapman and Hall,
1843. xvi, 437 pp. 8vo, late nineteenth three-quarter
burgundy morocco over maroon cloth, spine with gilt
lettering and raised bands. Slight shelf wear, generally
fine.
First
English edition. BAL 16338n. Dobie, p. 38: "Among books
on Mexican life to be ranked first both in readability and
revealing qualities." Griffin 4174. Gunn, Mexico in
American and British Letters 639: "Letters by the
Scottish-American wife of the first Spanish ambassador,
describing their life in the capital 1839-1842." Hill, p.
43: "One of the classic writings of nineteenth century
travel; written by the Scottish wife of the Spanish
minister to the U.S.A. On a special mission to Mexico she
accompanied her husband and, due to her position, was able
to become intimately acquainted with Mexican society and
had access to any information she sought...Probably the
most important record of the social life of the country at
that time." Palau 39761.
($200-400)