The New York herald., 1875-07-17
MRS. LINCOLN.


INTERVIEW WITH HER BIZ A NEWSPAPER COR
REsPoNDENT-How SHE PASSES HER TIME
SOME OF THE IRREGULARITIES OF HER
MENTAL DELUsIoN.
Batavia Qll) July correspondence OF the
Chicago POST
After a pleasant chat on topics Of the day In
qulrcd after the health OF
MRS. PRESIDENT LINCOLN,
who mas been an inmate OF the Bellevue Place since
her insanity decided by the Courts OF Chicago.
The doctor exceedingly reticent about tnat
unfortunate lady, and, while | Professionally
deprecated his cauuon, could not but approve
OF his delicacy. by degrees l learned that MIS-
Lincoln gave but little trouble, that she
rested wen, ana was quite satisfied with ner
surroundings. carriage Is always at her dis
posal, and she frequently dives out, always with
the doctor and Mrs. Patterson or her own attend
ant, rather attractive young woman belonging
10 the Retreat. In regard to her riding Mrs.
Lincoln is very caprcious. She VIII announce her
intention OF riding bsfore dinner, then postpone
the ride until afternoon and again until evening
or the next day. she brought with her to the Re-
treat ten large trunks, which have not been ex-
ahmed, bur are supposed 60 contain part OF the
miscellaneous collection OF purchases made during
her stay at the Grand Pacific Hotel IN Chicago
) ortly after her arrival here Mrs. Lincoln
ordered morning dress oil black french cambria,
pockets, and a black and white striped
lawn, Temarking that "every lady needed cool
toilessD She has never worn them or evlnced
any disposition to even try them on, but as soon
as they were completed ordered samples OF black
alpaca from which to select suit. Her mind
was diverted from this. as 1t was only a form OF
her malay 10 accumulate material. Her dress is
at all times plain even to shabbiness, ana no one
could be more indifferent to effects OF he toilet.
In one oil Mrs. Llncon's trunks, at the Retreat,
are two very expensive
DOLL BABIES.
She accounts for their presence by saying she in
tends TO present them TO Robert Lincoln's little
daughter OF whom she is very fond.
was anxious 10 pay my respects TO Mrs. Lin
coin IN person put as she has positively refused
room when tney are IN the house or grounds,
anticipated nothing less than refusal when
my own Mrs. Lincoln sent down word tnat she
would be very happy TO see me IN her room, and
at once accom- panied ,he doctor thther. she oc-
cupes SUIT IN the front oil the house, on the sec
ond foor The attendant sits In the small reom.
which contains single beo. Tne larger room IS
Mrs. Lncoln's sitting and bedroom. IL Is very
plainly furnished, the same as 1t was prior 10
ner coming; an ordinary three-ply carpet, OF
pleasant colors narmoniousy blended; bureau,
rocking CHAIR and lounge and plain bedstead,
with "a very 1ne bed, about watch sne is quite par
tlcuar. Mrs. Lincoln was seated In an eXpectant
attitude by the table we entered the room. she
at once arose, shook hands with me cordially ana
begged me 10 be seated, ana began once TO III
quire after trends the city. sue was dressed in
ordinary black. half worn, with White rucnes
edged with black IN the neck and sleeves; her
dark hair fast turning to gray. was careessly
coItfed LII Knot at the back with coronet braid.
sRe Looked worn and ILL., and ner nands, ringiess
and uncared Tor, were never at rest. The
Tender grace OF day that is dead
did not lnger about her. l could plainly see in
her ustreless eyes and in the forced composure OF
her manner evidences OF
A SHATTERED MIND.
She was perfectly ladyhke IN manner, but ram
bling and dinuse in her conversation. she al
luned ratlondlY, however, to the past; spoke
tenderly of Mr.. Lincoln once as my husband"
ana again as 1.-The President - recalled memories
OF Moan Brooks, then her husoands Assistant
Secretary, with whom had an oldtime acquan-
tance and remarked thar he had been Tor ten
years engaged on the New York Tribune; asked
with mucn earnestness II the muir
derer OF Hon. Snaron Tyndale, OF Springfield,
mad ever been discovered, aud tnen alluded very
feelIngly 10 her attachment TO Judge Bradwell's
IamIIS AS rose to leave sne TOOK a handsome
bouquet rom a crystal vase on her table ana asked
me to accept IT, AS sne shook hands with me al
parting thought could percevc IN tne dip|
matte DOW and smile return or the old society
manner, and my neart was full Tor the woman VINO /
sat down silent ana alone IA her solitary room 10
Dassadors the light Of mat gracious, kindly
smile, long since hidden beneath the conln lid 1t
is one OF the mercies youchsafed her 10 live her
life over again with her loved ones-dear little
Willie ana rollicking Doylsh Tau-to SIT at the !
head ol the table and hold familiar converse with
them all. 1t mas been urged tnat this Is deve- |
opment OF her life among Sprltuallsts, but 1t Is
the result OF scenes
which only the Angel OF Death can erase. Mrs.
Lincoln did spend several months at ST. Charles,
In this state, under an assumed name and Ia the |
company OF society OF Splrltualists, out it Will
never lie definitely known now much their infu- |
ence mad to do with her eclipse OF reason. Nor !
does any seem TO know the pock-marked |
man who called on her at her hotei ana hela
long consultations with her, Dut he is pre-
sumed 10 be a prominent Spirltualist. No
announcement Is neld 0at tnat Mrs. Lincoln VIII !
ever become permanently well but she could not
be IN better place for her complete restoration.
Here sne has no responsibility OF thought sc-
lion. The noise panorama OF the streets cannot
be wilder her. The righteousness or riends car
not reach her. she Is unaware OF the slightest re-
stralnr, and can rond, write, ride walk at her
pleasure. She orders her meals sne would at
home, aud is served In her room or at the family
table rs sne prefers Her Robert visits ms
mother every week, bringing her favorlie grand
child with MIN frequently. Here at least the poor
lady can lind, If not the FADING Pleasures and brie
trumphs ofIfe. Its perfect peace tue peace that
passeih unaerstandlng-the rest or nature and
God.