New-York tribune., 1874-09-19
XIV.
MR. BEECHER'S DOMESTIC LIFE.
XIV.

Perhaps there is no single touch OF hypoc-
rsy in Mr. Beechers statement that exceeds bis foow
ing allusion to his domestic happiness:
His Mr Tilton's AFFAIRS at home Says Mr Beeeherl
did not promise that sympathy and strength when
make ones house, mine has peen In tlines OF duNei
sty refuge from the storm and tower OF DEFENSE
In no ordinary controversy would be Justlned ih
taxing mn snch an auson as this Of Mr. Beecher to his
own home In contrast with mine. as mine once
was. But the truth cOnstrains me to do so now.
Mr. Reerbers purpose thus adrotly expressed. Is to
set himself before the public in the light OF man
who has 30 happy q home OF his own that ne does
not need to his Deghbors wife, But on the con-
rary as Mrs Tton has repeatedly assured me- ana as
she has assured confidential friends to whom her COMES
sions have been made, Mr. Beecher had house when
was not a home-a wife who was not mate; ana hehce
be sought and found more wifely companion. He often
pietured to Mrs Tton the hungry needs OF his heart
which he sad Mrs Beecher did not supply and he made
his noyerty and barrenDess home the ground OF bis
apncatloD to Mrs Tilton to afford him the soace OF
supplemental love.
In the days when was confidential with Mr.. Beecher,
he used to pour in my unending complaints against
bis wife spoken with bitterness, but always Win
main He said to me one dav. Theodore, God might
strip all other gifts from me If He would only give me
wife like Elizabeth and homo like yours" One day he
walked the streets with saying dread to 20 back
10 nv own house; wish the earth would open and
swallow me up" He told me that when his daughter
was married. Mrs Beecbers behavior on that occasion
was such as TO wiring his heart and when he described
her unwifely actions during that scene ne
burst into tears, and clenched bis hands IN an
agony which feared would take the form OF revenge
He has told me repeatedly Of acts OF cruelty by Mrs
Beecher ward late venerable father SAYING 10 me
once that she had virtually driven that aged man out OF
doors catalogue OF the complaints which Henry
Ward Beecher has made 10 me against bis wife would
be chapter Of miseries such as will not depict upon
this page Many OF his relatives stand In fear OF THIS
woman, and of them have not entered her house
for yearsas of Mr. Beechers brothers lately test
fed in public print have seen from one OF his
sisters private letter concerning the marital relations
of Mr. and Mrs Beecher which II would be scandalous
TO reproduce here. And yet this man, in .order
10 give to the ignorant public one OF human
natures most plausible reasons why man should not
invade another's house. paints false picture OF the
sweet refuge Of his sooaed happy home. know that
my allusIon to Mr. Beecher's homelfe Is rough and
harsh but know also that II is true; for as pen 1t
down there rises my mind vivid recollection OF the
many years of my daily association with Mr. Beecher,
during which he taught to sympathize with him for
the very reason that his house. instead OF being what
he now calls IT, "a refuge from the Storm was more
often the storm ITSELF from which be sought refuge In