Aug. 21, 1909 (Saturday)

TAFT TO MAKE A HISTORIC TRIP -- SOUTH OF THE BORDER: President Taft, who is still vacationing in nearby Beverly, Mass., has received a steady stream of visitors. Yesterday was no exception, according to today's Globe. The paper reports that Taft has accepted from Mexico's President Porfirio Diaz (right) [spelled with an "s" in the Globe] to visit the town of Juarez, across the Rio Grande, at some point in the near future. The invitation was offered by Mexico's ambassador to the U.S., Francisco L. DeLa Barra, who came to Beverly. The article points out the unusual nature of such a trip -- historic nature, actually:
It used to be considered highly improper for the President of the United States to visit a foreign country, but President Roosevelt broke the ice to some extent when he visited Panama, although it is claimed that by traveling on an American ship, landing and traveling only in the canal zone, Mr. Roosevelt did not break the letter of the unwritten law.

HERE'S WHAT THEY'RE READING IN BOSTON -- ON THE NON-FICTION SIDE: The top five non-fiction sellers in Boston during the past week:
England and the English by Price Collier (Charles Scribner's Sons)
Haremlik by Demetra Vaka (Houton, Mifflin)[with the subtitle of "Lives of Turkish Women"]
Plays, Acting and Music by Arthur Symons (right) (E. P. Dutton)
My African Journey by Winston Churchill (Hodder & Stoughton)
The People at Play by Rollin Lynde Hart (Houghton, Mifflin)