A translation from Italian of the memoirs of Giuseppe Salvago Raggi, minister of Italy in Beijing from 1898 until 1902. In 1900, Raggi, his wife and child, lived through the 55 days of the Siege of the Legations. This book contains the section of memoirs related to his service in China, just before and after the famous Siege.

Salvago Raggi’s pages are full of wit and historical relevance, shedding light on some hitherto unknown historic details. After the telegraph lines were cut, in July 1900, media frenzy resulted in false news and rumors, including one that all the people locked inside the Legations quarters had been massacred by the Boxers. The first obituary of the murder of Giuseppe Salvago Raggi and his family, appeared in Italy on 22 July 1900 in the popular illustrated magazine Illustrazione Italiana and in Italian churches prayers were offered for their souls.

 

The Only Man Dressing for Dinner

by Giuseppe Salvago Raggi, translated and with an introduction by Angelo Paratico

Gingko Edizioni, August 2019 (ISBN 9788831229036)