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REBECCA [BESS or BESSIE] P. WARNER : 1899 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT GERMAN TRAVEL DIARY HANDWRITTEN BY THE ELDEST CHILD OF WEALTHY, PROMINENT WASHINGTON DC BANKERS AND LAND DEVELOPERS NOT ADVERSE TO COMMENTING ON THE 'DRUMMERS AND JEWS' OR THE COARSEST PERSON SHE EVER SAW - PRINCESS MATILDA

12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. On offer is the original 1899 manuscript diary handwritten by Rebecca P. Warner known by one and all as Bess or Bessie who was 26 at the time. Bess, the oldest of 9 children, offers the reader a unique view of how a prominent, wealthy Washington DC family the lived at the end of the 19th century but even more important is the very intimate, interesting view of Germany during one of the country's most fascinating eras of historical development pror to World War I. Bess' father was Brainard Warner Sr. who was a lawyer but made his fortune in banking, real estate and land development. His company was responsible for the oversight or building of over 1000 buildings and homes in the Washington DC area. Bess's mother was Mary Jacobs Parker Warner who was descended from Edward Doty, a Pilgrim and indentured servant who sailed over on the Mayflower, signed the Mayflower Compact and helped to settle Plymouth Colony. This diary describes Bess' trip with her sister Anna and brother Brainard Jr. to Leipzig, Germany where Brainard Jr. was the US Consul. Bess does a super job of detailing setting up house in Leipzig and also about their daily lives there. They also did a lot of traveling within Germany and she describes that as well. Research notes that the Warner family endured a lot of sadness. They lost three children at birth or very early in life. They lost their mother Mary Jacobs after the birth of Lucy, who then died. They lost their son and brother Southard who committed suicide at age 33 by shooting himself while stationed as a consul in China. Then Brainard Warner Sr died two years after the death of Southard. Here are some snippets and observations from a casual reading: They went to the motette at St Thomas Kirche which was very beautiful. The church was crowded. Students belonging to a club were there. They stayed after the service and thought they might see a German wedding. They have them nearly every Saturday after motette. They got caught in the middle of a religious service. They were sitting right in front of the minister and Bess was afraid they'd get called up to do something, In the evening Mrs Young telephoned to ask them over. Brainard had an engagement but Bess and Anne went. They left Leipzig for Chemnitz and went directly to the consulate where they had supper. They went with Mr Monaghan to Schellenburg where his family was summering. "This was a queer little town located on the top of a mountain" There is a beautiful castle and some old walls. Aside from that Bess thought it was an uninteresting place to spend a summer. They left on Monday. They went to a parade in honor of the King of Saxony. About 5000 men were received. They expected to see the King on horseback but he was on foot with other officers. They met Professor Gregory who showed them around some parts of the University. In the afternoon Brainard, Anne and Bess called on Mrs Monroe. Brainard went out in the evening with friends. "Today is the Emperor's birthday and all the flags are out. We stood for a long time to watch the Lieut General review the officers. It was a fine sight. (what little we could see though the crowd) But we were nearly frozen it was so cold" Bess practiced and then went for a lesson with Herr Krause only he wasn't in. She went again at 4 pm. "He was very discouraging and said I had no independence of fingers" Bess thought it would take her several lessons to get the right finger position and that there was no royal road to piano playing. "Hard work is the only road to success in anything". She went home. They had letters from Mamma and Pa. Then they went over to hear the St Thomas Kircke choir practice…such beautiful voices. They had a number of people who stopped by for visits." We actually had a count call on us Graf Laisher who was very bright and interesting. He is studying medicine at the University" He said he couldn't speak English but he was very fluent. He proceeded to show them some of his feats of exercise and they were petrified because of their rented furniture. But everything was whole when he left. In the evening Bess and Anne went to the home of Mrs Morris. They danced but it was more of a lesson for the young grandson. He fancied Bess as a teacher and so they whirled around in a circle for 2 hours. Bess wrote that dancing on the ship over was "nothing compared to my feelings after dancing in the mad German fashion" Bess, Anne and Lucy went to the Catholic Church which the royal family attended. "I must say I was thoroughly disappointed in royalty as exhibited here. The king, queen and two other members of the family sat in boxes on a level with the gallery of the church and just to the left of the altar. Princess Matilda is one of the coarsest people I have ever seen. She spent most of her time yawning. She must weigh at least 200 lbs. We only stayed while the King and Queen were there." The diary has approximately 141 pages of entries from January 1 1899 to August 2, 1899 with some gaps in this 4" x 6 ½" diary. Overall G+.. English. Book Condition: Very Good

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