The New York herald., 1870-04-13
Professional Testimony on the Question
of Sanity-Doctors and Lawyers
for Once in Harmony.
RACY FREE LOVE CoRREspoNDEHcE
The Calhoun and Sinclair Letters
to Mrs. Mcfarland.
A Glance Into tho Inner Life OF the New
School Of Social Morals
INTERESTING DEvELoPmEMTs.

INTERESTING DEVELOPMENTS.
II one-tenth OF those who sought admission to the
court room yesterday morning were grauaed IN their
pardonable curiosity to hear the interesting testi-
mopy. witness the crowded room and gaze upon the
faces OF the unique ana remarkable jury there would
be little show left for the representatives OF the
press, the counsel for the prisoner or the advo-
Gates Of the prosecution. After eleven o'clock. when
the court had assembled. those havmI business
there had hard time seeking to get in. The at
tendance IN the vicinity was much larger than on
any previous day, and the same 1t is safe believe
win have to be stated every day TIL the end OF the
trial. 1t VIII go on increasing and may be expected
to culmtnate when the pastor OF Plymouth
church and the lady leaders Of the Church
OF Fourier come on the stand for examination.
As general thing the witnesses in this case have
been OF rather superior grade. Except In one or
two instances they have SHOWN, under the crcum-
stances remarkable degree OF self-possession and
cearness Of reply to the interrogations OF counsel
The witnesses yesterday were chiefly doctors and
lawyers, an excellent class Of people In the mat
ter OF giving testimony as they give lit
sic bother to counsel ana give immense sat.
isfaction to an eager, listening audience. Being
more or less accustomed TO the thing they make the
machinery Of legal drama like this move on with
the same relative ease and precision q profes-
sional stage performance Dr.. Ward, O gentleman
Of nervous temperament, reddish beard and
dishevelled hair, was evidently a devoted witness
for the defence not that the doctor devaed an ota
from strict truth, but in his voice there was tone
OF sympathy for the unhappy prisoner that was per-
fectly unmstakable.
AN iNrERESTINa WITNESS.
Dr. Maison was en- interesting Witness from the
fact that he knew Mcfarland IN 1s47 when he was
identified with the Brook Farm community where
Margaret Fuller, Ralph Waldo Emerson and other
progressive spirits Of New England tried to estab-
lsh q sort OF social millennium. The doctor wore
rather weird expression OF face and eyes, as though
he had extended his metaphysical Investigations
into the domain OF Sprituaism. His testimony was
delivered with earnest cearness Of statement, and
made favorable impression in behalf OF Mcfarland
WHAT SOME PEOPLE THINK.
Some singular remarks escaped peoples lips yes
terday, when witness after witness was being exam.
tned TO prove that Mcfarland was the victim OF an
uncomfortable monomania, The sentiment was
freely expressed that the theory sought TO be estab
lshed by the defence was unnecessary for the pris-
oners ex;enuaticn and acquittal, and that II sim
pie appeal were taken on the strength OF the provo.
cation offered the jury could DO nothing else th an
acquit the prisoner.
WHAT SOME PEOPLE SUGGEST
To this end 1t was suggested that all the free love
folks who were on terms of familiar acquaintance
with Mrs. Mcfarland be put upon the witness stand
and their doctrines thoroughly ventilated with the
view Of showing that conspiracy was actually con-
trived TO seduee Mrs. Mcfarland from her lawful
husband and marry her to man who was himself
one of the coDspiators. 1t was further argued that
If one crime set of against tie other murder
itself would hardy outweigh the offence OF taking
away tde wife Of man 10 whom that vile was more
than lie itself.
FREE LOVE CORRESPONDENCE.
The reading OF the letters addressed 10y Mrs. Cal.
houn and Sinclair to Mrs. Mcfarland produced
deep sensation. They were read To the jury by MIR.
Gerry, anu no expression which allowed OF full and
telling emphasis was neglected in the dramatic
recitation OF counsel for the defence. The testi-
mony up to the tlme the correspondence was
introduced had been rather monotonous, being
confined In the case Of each witness To
showing state OF cerebral excitement with
the prisoner, less calculated to lead despite
OF will or Judgment, to the crime which the trial
is held There was but Slight difference in the sense
OF the evidence, and by the time 1t had oil Deen
given few IN the court room were disposed to DIS
pute the possession by Mcfarland, aI the time of
The letters were. II 1t may be so expressed a re-
freshlng change. Nobody in court had seen or
heard them before, and their effect was decidedly
favorable TO the defence.
EFFECT OF THE READING.
Jnese letters, II Is 10 eXdggeratlOn to say, turned
the scale. II any turning was needed, more COM
peteY In behalf OF Mcfarland than all the evidence
so lar offered. The deliberate purpose SO cunningly
clothed In expressions Of gushing endearment, TO
shake the woman's allegiance to her husband, made
every man IN court with any regard for the
Christian notions Of the marriage tie indignant
with these female champions OF the new school OF
morality. The effect on the prisoner was very
marked: He moved uneasly IN his seal and buried
his head in his hands while his counsel reading
the provoking passages wherein the writers tell Mrs.
Mcfarland that living any ionger with her husband
Richardson was good and strong and loving to her.
ATTRACTIONS OF THE COURT.
Much the same ladies were present yesterday as
on the day before. Count Joannes was absent; but
it is expected he will withhold the light Of his
tall ana graceful presence many days. The audi
the proceedings and gave the usLers little trouble
In the matter OF keeping order. Recorder Hackett
Keeps his court well. HIS manner OF adJourning for
a recess and OF a0journing Tor the day, OF ruling
on points OF evidence and responding to the ques-
tions and remarks or counsel has ring OF decision
and business about 1t which well becomes judicial
cross ss-examnaiion. The w1tRess who falls into his
amable hands is not apt to feel embarrassed
at nrst, Tor the Judge smiles as blandy
OF putting questions that ia oftentmes calculated TO
bew1lder even cear-headed people. AS the day up
proaches when popular expectation has 1t that the
venerable Greeley the robust Beecher and the free
love rockingham win appear as Witnesses excite
ment increases and every place IN the city nothing
else seems TO be the topic OF conversation but The
IcFarland trial.
ABOUT MRS. MFARLAND
Among other curious stories reiated In the court
room was one to the eject that when the necessary
sixty days notice expired Mrs. Mcfarland proceeded
10 the Mutual Life Insurance Office and drew the
So 600 for which Albert D. Richardson's life was In
Sured. She Is now, 1t 10 stated living on his iarm
out In Jersey.
EIGHTH DAYS' PROCEEDINGS.