Low Price Guarantee
We Take School POs
A Belle of the Fifties: Memoirs of Mrs. Clay, of Alabama, Covering Social and Political Life in Washington and the South, 1853-66. Put Into Na
Contributor(s): Sterling, Ada (Introduction by), Sterling, Ada (Author), Clay, Mrs (Author)

View larger image

ISBN: 1466466871     ISBN-13: 9781466466876
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
OUR PRICE: $20.89  

Binding Type: Paperback - See All Available Formats & Editions
Published: October 2011
Qty:
Additional Information
BISAC Categories:
- Literary Criticism | American - General
- Biography & Autobiography | Women
- History | United States - Civil War Period (1850-1877)
Physical Information: 0.83" H x 7.44" W x 9.69" L (1.58 lbs) 404 pages
 
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc.
Publisher Description:
THE memoirs of "Mrs. Clay, of Alabama," by which title Mrs. Clement C. Clay, Jr. (now Mrs. Clay-Clopton), was known during the period comprised by 1850-87, begin in the middle of the second decade of the nineteenth century, the scenes being laid among the affluent plantations of North Carolina and Alabama, and, continuing through two brilliant administrations at the national capital, close, as she emerges from the distresses which overtook her and her husband after the never-to-be-forgotten tragedy that plunged a nation into mourning - the death of Mr. Lincoln. In the researches made in order to obviate all possible inaccuracies in these memoirs (a precaution always necessary where one's life has been long and experiences so varied), I have come upon no record of any other woman of her time who has filled so powerful a place politically, whose belleship has been so long sustained, or whose magnetism and compelling fascinations have swayed others so universally as have those of Mrs. Clay-Clopton. In the unrestful days at the capital which preceded the Civil War her winning personality was such as to cause even those whom she esteemed the enemies of her section, in those days when "sections" were, to be covetous of her smiles. At no period of her long career have her unique courage, her beautiful optimism, her inspiring buoyancy been more accentuated than during the making of the present book. The recalling of incident after incident, step by step, of so great a procession of memories as are here set down is a task from which many persons of twoscore years might shrink. At the ripe age of almost eight decades Mrs. Clay-Clopton entered into the work with a heart as light as a girl's and a sustained energy and enthusiasm that have been as remarkable as they are unparalleled. While preparing these pages I enjoyed a daily intercourse with her extending over eight months, during which time I often found myself spellbound by the descriptive powers which nearly a half century ago compelled the admiration of leading men and women of that day.
 
Customer ReviewsSubmit your own review
 
To tell a friend about this book, you must Sign In First!