Embassy to Constantinople

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.