Cincinnati—City of Birth and Early Memories. Educational and Musical Advantages. Childhood in Large Family on Moderate Income. Meeting Mr. Taft—Political Turmoil. First trip to Washington to visit President and Mrs. Hayes. Social Gaieties and Serious Undertakings. Engagement—Summer in the Adirondacks. Marriage—Trip Abroad. Mr. Taft's Father and Mother. First home—"Satisfactory though Mortgaged."
CHAPTER II
Cincinnati and Washington
21
The Superior Court—First Doubt as to Desirability of Judicial Career. Mr. Taft's Embarrassing Truthfulness. My son Robert. Solicitor General—Move to Washington. Mr. William M. Evarts. Washington Society Twenty-five Years Ago. My Daughter Helen. The Federal Bench. Youngest Child. Tranquil Years. The Cincinnati Orchestra. Spanish-American War—Results to the Taft Family.
CHAPTER III
To the Philippines
39
The Second Philippine Commission. Army Transport Hancock. Honolulu. "Aloha Oe!" Yokohama. Mr. Taft in a Jinrikisha. His Size Interests the Japanese. Audience with the Emperor and Empress of Japan—A Question of Clothes. I Decide to Remain in Japan for the summer. The Hancock to Manila.
CHAPTER IV
In Japan
65
Keeping House in Yokohama—In Quarantine with Measles. A Japanese Menage. Fascinating Oriental Sounds—Alluring Shops. First Letter from Mr. Taft. A bit of Philippine History. Miyanoshita—Japanese Inns—The Darkest Night. A Refugee from China—Boxer Insurrection. Joseph did not Commit Suicide; He was only Learning to Sing. More Letters. Mr. Bryan's Complicating Policy. To Manila.
CHAPTER V
First Impressions of Manila
91
The China Sea. Manila Bay—Strange Scenes and Strange Peoples. First Home in Manila—“Getting Used” to my Environment. Seventy Thousand American Troops. General Arthur MacArthur—Social Coolness. Intrigue—Assassinations—Problems. Progress of Pacification. A Typhoon. American Presidential Campaign. Civil and Military Rule. September first—The Commission begins to Exercise Authority.
CHAPTER VI
A Strange Environment
118
El costumbres del pais—Employes and Parientes. A Pair of Black Ponies—A Runaway—Filipino Coachmen. Charlie's Playmates. Shopping—Saloons. Manila Society. "He may be a brother of William H. Taft, but he ain't no friend of mine!" A Filipino Call. Presents. American Patriotism. Friars and Friars' Lands. A Momentous Decision.
CHAPTER VII
"Days of the Empire
142
Unrest and Uncertainty—Guerilla Warfare. Re-election of Mr. Mckinley. Optimistic in the Face of Chaos. Christmas—Eighty in the Shade. A New Year's Reception—Silk Hats and Frock Coats. The Federal Party and the Peace Movement—Washington's Birthday. First Visit to a Provincial Town. Establishment of Civil Government. Mr. Taft First Civil Governor.
CHAPTER VIII
An Historic Trip
156
Through the Southern Islands. Establishing Provincial Governments. A Test of Endurance—Filipino Bands—Banquetes and Bailes—the Rigodon. Moroland. Aguinaldo—Colonel Frederick Funston of "the Suicide Squad." Zamboanga—Cottabato—the Gulf of Davao—Surigao—A Perilous Journey. Cebu. Sorsogon—A Riot of Hospitality. "The Sacred Torch of Liberty."
CHAPTER IX
The Wild Men's Country
182
Into Northern Luzon—the Wild Men's Country. A Spanish Steamer. General and Mrs. J. Franklin Bell. A Side Trip. Impedimenta and Military Discipline. An Amazing Summit. Where no White Woman ever was before Igorrotes—Human Skulls as House Decorations—Rice Teraces. Down a Long Trail. Baguio—Our $2,500,000 Road. Necessity for Haste.
CHAPTER X
Governor Taft
206
The Inauguration of Governor Taft. Two Thousand Guests. Moving to Malacañan Palace—Social Activities. The Governor's Working Day. General Chaffee—Continued Differences of Opinion. General Corbin. The Assassination of President McKinley—Dark Days. Mr. Taft and President Roosevelt. Balangiga. A Trip to China—Mr. Taft Ill— Hurried Return. Ordered Home on Leave—An Earthquake. We Sail on Christmas Eve.
CHAPTER XI
A Trip to Rome
233
Some Unhappy Memories. Business in Washington—The Friar Lands Question. A Mission to Rome. Left Behind but Follow Shortly. Position and Character of Commission—Complications and Embarrassments. Cardinal Rampolla. Pope Leo XIII. A Brilliant Society. Vatican Politics. An Audience with the Pope. Vallombrosa. Gifts from the Pope. Unfinished Negotiations—Mr. Taft to Manila. Switzerland.
CHAPTER XII
Last Days in the Philippines
251
A Great Demonstration. Cholera—Rinderpest—Famine—Turmoil. The Church Schism—Aglipay. Archbishop Guidi. Ladrones and Assassins. Taft declines the Supreme Bench—Mr. Roosevelt Insists—Popular Protest. A Letter from Mr. Roosevelt. Called to Washington as Secretary of War. A Farewell Fête—The Doge of Venice and his Lady—Regretful Good-byes.
CHAPTER XIII
Secretary of War
274
Contrasted Attitudes—Guests of a Nation and "Just Nobody." Settling down in Washington—Difficulties in living up to an Exalted Office—Life of a "Cabinet Lady." The Panama Canal—Trip to Panama. Mr. Taft, a Congressional Party and Miss Alice Roosevelt. Summer in England. Intervention in Cuba—"Those Awful Twenty Days."
CHAPTER XIV
Busy Years
302
"The Three Musketeers." A Political Campaign—the Rush of Life. The Supreme Bench again. A Presidential "Boom." Mr. Taft not Interested. I misunderstand Mr. Roosevelt. Athos and Porthos. "Sitting on the Lid." Agitated Days. Growing Enthusiasm. Murray Bay. Starting Around the World—Yellowstone Park—A Sunday game of Bridge. A Taste of Campaign Work.
CHAPTER XV
A Hurried Trip Around the World
313
Japan—Shanghai—Manila. Opening of the first Philippine Assembly. Trips and Entertainments. Vladivostok. Across Siberia. Moscow—St. Petersburg—Berlin. A Shopping Expedition and a Perilous Night. The Steamship President Grant. Return to the United States. Nomination for the Presidency—Political Campaign—Election.
CHAPTER XVI
President of the United States
324
The Evening of March Third, 1909. A Dinner Party at the White House. A Stormy Night. Washington Ice-bound and Isolated. "I always said it would be a cold day when I got to be President of the United States." The Inauguration. At Home in the White House—A Brief Inspection—The McKim Restoration. The Inaugural Ball—A Brilliant Scene. "Aunt Delia." The End of the Greatest Day.
CHAPTER XVII
The White House
347
Mistress of the White House—Domestic Responsibilities—Some Innovations. The White House staff—Furniture and Porcelains. The President's Hospitality. A Diplomatic Tea. Forms and Precedents. My First Dinner Party. Various Entertainments. Potomac Drive. Delightful Spring Evenings. The Charm of the Home of Presidents. A Passing Glimpse of Mental Pictures.
CHAPTER XIII
Some White House Formalities
365
A Long Illness. Garden Parties—The First Disappointment— Subsequent Success. The Nation's Summer Capital— A Question of Privacy—The Secret Service Men. The Washington Social Season. State Dinners and Receptions. First Cabinet Dinner. The New Year's Reception. "Behind the line." Cutting down the Lists. The Diplomatic Reception and Dinner. Serving Refreshments. Various Demands.
CHAPTER XIV
Conclusion
382
Mr. Roosevelt Returns from Africa—Calls at Beverly—An Agreeable Meeting. A Cruise on the Mayflower. The President of Chili. A "Whirlwind" Existence. A Cabinet House Party. Fitting Charlie out in Long Trousers. Helen's Début. Our Silver Wedding. Renomination. Plans for a Quiet Future. An Expression from Mr. Taft.
