The New York herald., 1870-04-26
The Question Of insanity Reopened
and Exhaustive Testimony
Taken Thereon.
4 Medical Mans Review Of the Causes Physi-
cal and Mental, which Rendered the
Prisoner irresponsible for the
Shooting Of Richardson.
A Brief ScSSiOn-Scene
i'm Court.

The applicants for admission to the court room
we're not 80 eager and numerous yesterday as they
were last week. The general belief that the prisoner
has had enough OF testimony rolled up In his favor TO
insure his Immediate acquttal takes on the edge OF
excitement which greater risk and uncertainty AZ TO
the result would preserve Nearly all the ladies
who have devoted their precious time since the
start to the proceedings OF this trial were puncualy
on hand, qrie so gayly apsareled as on some Of
the bright days In the beginning OF last week, but
rather got up In such plain, ser,ieelbe garments as
win wear hest during the prolonged sitting which the
Court is expected to make How the majority OF
these ladies' regard the case Of Mcfarland has not
been clearly ascerained, but some persons conf
IDENTIFY assert that all except two, are in
favor Of acquitting the prisoner One Of the
exceptions il q lady pretty we'll known in
woman suffrage circles, who takes advanced ground
on alf questions conc erning the sex, and may be
taken as q fair sample OF the coming woman that Is
destined TO overturn the present umdrum and stupid
order OF things. Tie other Is q lady Of vermilion
complexion, Of literary turn Of mind, much given
TO metaphysical c0nundrums, and seriously sceptical
as 70 the natural propriey of the Christian rule OF
weilock Most OF the ladies are Intellectual looking
and In the aggregate would no doubt make a very
delightful lea party.
THE MYSTERIOUS FEMALE
lady In black, with blonde hair, and very much
resembling in figure and Outline person who was
frequently in the second story corridor Of the
Astor House at the close OF last November occupied
seat in secluded OF the reserved area The
thick veil which fell down over the newspaper which
she appeared to read eectualy shut any distinct
view OF her features but the nqusitiye reporters In
her neghborbood were quick enough to circulate the
runor that 1t was Mrs. Abby Mcfarland.
WITNESS IN METAPHYSICS
The proceedings being confined almost wholly to
the examination OF an expert in insanity and the
language employed not being what il commonly in
vogue made the mass OF listeners rather weary,
though the testimony was intrinsically Of a high
order Of interest. Tie views OF Dr. Vance in the mat
Yer Of mental alienation rdemena, substantially
similar TO those OF the Prussian surgeon, DR..
Rtcherand who formerly had charge OF the Hotel Deu
In Paris. He gave his evidence With remarkable
clearness and nuency, and on the whole was model
witness. The long list Of cumulative interrogatorles
addressed to him by Mr. Gerry council for defence,
to the purpose Of knowing II the specified conditions
Of provOcation given the prisoner, and the mental
alteration produced therefrom, convinced him
that insanity was the state OF Mcfarland when
he shot Richardson, was skilfully and efYec-
lively woven. Should the prosecution admit the
conclusions Of the witness and produce no medical
witness with antagonstic views 1t is difficult to see
what other is before the jury than TO acquit
The prisoner.
HEALTH OF THE RECORDER.
Every one was rejoiced to see the Recorder on the
bench again. restored to health and looking well
as ever. He received the sincere congratulations Of
the bar and OF his friends generally his reappear-
ance. l