The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-12-22
LETTER FROM BOSTON.
Correspondence OF the journal.
The Phelps Insane TriaI---A Brilliant We'd
ding---RevoIuton at the Globe Theatre---
Boston Museum---Warren as an ActOr---
Women's Bazaar---Other Items.

uIUY--ncVOiuVOU al IH6 0IOD6 In6dIr0-..
Boston Museum---Warren as an Actor---
Women's Bazaar---Other Items.
Boston, Dec. 16, 1870.
The republication in the Boston Common
wealth, Of q letter, written by the Boston cor
respondent Of the New York World, has civ
en- publicity to trial, at present going on in
in this city, which few persons outside of the
parties interested knew anything about, and
has suggested many enquiries and much talk
rs to the relative merits of the case The
suits, for there are two, one for confinement
on the plea OF insanity, the other for divorce
for alleged cruelty, are OF long standing,
having originated in 1861 At that time
Mrs. Phelps, who is a sister of Hon. Ira
Harris, formerly United States Senator from
New York, and lady OF great natural abili-
ties, as well as of unusually high mental and
her husband; but soon afterwards Withdrew
it on the application of Senator Harris, for
the appointment of a guardian to take care
OF the suit, alleging that his sister was in
by the advice of this same brother, been con-
fined from April 1860, to September 1861, IA
the Mclean Insane Asylum at Somery;lle.
The excitement attendant upon these various
petitions was very great at the time, and
caused many comments both from the press
and the public DR.. Kirk, prominent Bos-
ton clergyman, was warm friend Of the
prosecuted lady, and at one time is said to
have forcibly wrested her from the hands of
her prosecutors, and to have given her shell
ter under his own roof Other friends were
found to be equally jealous in her cause, and
for the last few years the lady has been al
lowed to remain undsturbed at Needham,
Mass, about twelve miles from Boston,
where she has lived quietly and comfortably,
receiving calls from her friends and acquaint-
ances, from time to time.
Her husband Hon. Charles A. Phelps
who was formerly a practicing physician
but is now the government pension agent for
Boston, is a man of considerable wealth, and
well known here both in business and politi-
cal circles. He is said to be 4 hard, exact
ing man Moreover, it is rumored that be-
hind the scenes there is another LADY fair"
This state of affairs Mrs. Phelps seems to be
perfectly cognizant Of and as the doctor
maintains, gently reminds him Of his duty
to herself by sundry applications of the
broomstick, and divers bits OF flying crock
cry. All of which proceedings the doctor
thinks highly improper, and conclusive evil
dence that the lady is insane. Therefore he
persuaded their son, Charles Phelps, an at
for the confinement of his mother. This pc
tition Judge White, on the Sd of last August,
refused to grant; and since that time Mrs.
Phelps has beer prosecuted, by husband and
pending trial is another petition from the
son to have his mother incarcerated in an
Asylum. There is also 4 cross suit by Mrs.
Phelps for divorce from her husband.
Public opinion is very much divided about
the case though the sympathy Of people
generally is with the lady, whom they be-
licye to be the object of :. cruel conspiracy.
People who have known her from childhood
aver that, with the exception of very violent
and perfectly ungovernable temper which
at times amounts almost to madness, and
which has been irritatcd and exasperated in
to outbreaks by her husband, she is by no
means insane. She was at one time employ
ed on the editorial staff of the Boston Tray
nd ha has via oh +b,f
flee OF that paper for the purpose of obtain
ing the above mentioned letter in the New
York World Whilst there she talked calm
ly and nationally upon that and other sub
.jects, and gave not the slightest appearance
or Indication Of insanity. Her appearance in
Court is thus described by the above men
toned CORE spondent;
MRS. Phelps sits by the side of the counsel neat
y and plainly dressed, and retaining her bonnet
and shawl. She listens calmly and attentivcly to
the evidence against her but appears TO take no
notice of those about her far casting her eyes
about the room is concerned. In fact she shuns
publicity, and seems absorbed i'll the matter under
hearing. In an earnest, rational, and business like
way she i'll an undertone makes explanations and
suggestions to her counsel in their cross-examina-
tons, which they seem to listen to carefully and
act upon as though Of great weight in the matter
From all evidences there is little doubt OF
the lady's sanity or if she is insane. not to
that degree that requires confinement. The
law, however, is sometimes tardy in doing
Justice, and it is hard to say how the unhap-
ply affair will terminate.
| From the blessed regions of Union Park
another fair bride has been led to the lynne
NAL altar, and the papers have been called
upon to chronicle q more brilliant wedding
| than has happened in Massachusetts since the
| Butler-Ames ceremony at Lowell last sum
mer The parties most interested on this
! important occasion were the daughter OF
| Hon Alexander Rice Of this city and the son
of Judge Davies of New York, The cere-
mony took place at the Church of the Emanu-
ell Or. Vinton) and will long be remember
ed by the witnesses as most brilliant and
attractive scene. The church was reached
by passing under a canvas canopy, elegantly
carpeted and decorated, and above the aisles
Of the church stretched eipht arches of ever