Mr. Fay was a noted diplomat whose service to his country consisted in great part in preventing our more distinguished diplomats from making fools of themselves. "As Secretary of Legation in Berlin he displayed great ability and tact, and more than once saved the country from the consequences of faux pas on the part of his chiefs which would have been deeply humiliating," said Fay's obituary in the New York Times. "His method of managing the American Ministers, especially the intoxicated Hannigan, is said to have been wonderfully clever, a combination of persuasion and absolute frankness."
Fay had a particular interest in the question of dueling, which forms the subject of two of his novels: Countess Ida and The Brothers.
Norman Leslie. A tale of the present times. In two volumes. New-York: Harper & Brothers.
Volume I (second edition, 1840).
Volume II (1835).
The Countess Ida. A tale of Berlin. By the author of "Norman Leslie," "Dreams and Reveries of a Quiet Man," &c. In two volumes [both included in this scan]. New-York: Harper & Brothers, 1840.
The Double Duel; or, Hoboken. By Theodore S. Fay, Esq. In three volumes [all included in this scan]. London: Richard Bentley, 1843. —We have not been able to find the American edition.
The Brothers; or, the Double Duel. A romance of New York. By Theodore S. Fay. London: Bruce and Wyld, 1844. —An alternate title of the tale above. Small type, two columns, in a collection of cheap "Standard Novels."