The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1907-08-29
WIVES OF LLUsTRIOUs MEN.
How Their Influence For Good or
Evil Has Shown Itself.

In his marriage Martha Custis was
rich young widow with considera-
bic personal attractions. She always
took the side OF her husband, and
usually said: George is right; he
always Is"
When Washington and his wife
were closing their happy married
life, Horatio Nelson and his wife
were making exhibitions of them
selves as an ill-assorted couple. At
that memorable breakfast table in
the Arlington Street lodging Lady
Nelson said decislvely: Choose be.
tween u.s." when the great Admiral
replied: Fanny, / sincerely love
you; but I cannot forget all owe to
Lady Hamilton"
The married life of John Wesley,
the eminent founder of Methodism,
was not fortunate. He married a
widow with four children, possessed
of ample means. Mrs. Wesley at first
travelled with her itinerant hus-
band, but she soon tired of the life.
During her husbands prolonged alb
sences her wifely curiosity led her
to search his pockets. The letters
which she found were not satisfac-
tory. It is even alleged that Mrs.
Wesley would sometimes lay violent
hands upon her husband and tear
his hair. They eventually separated.
The married life of Alexander
Hamilton was a happy one. The
young statesman waited two long
years for Betsey Schuyler and the
light-hearted Betsey became in time
one Of the most prominent leaders of
official society. On that fatal July
morning in 1904 when Hamilton lost
his life and all America mourned the
loss, 1t is said that when he saw his
wife weeping at his bedside he gen.
tly rebuked her and said, "Remem-
Der, Betsey, you are Christian"
Mrs. Hamilton died at the advanced
age of 81, and in her pocketbook
was found an old, umeworn letter
which Hamilton had written to her
as farewell salutation on the morn
Ing of the duel.
Perhaps the most ill-assorted mar
riage on record is that of Edward
Bulwer Lytton and Rosina Doyle
Wheeler. Miss Wheeler was cul-
tured, educated, vivacious and beau
tiful when she married the novelist.
But, the honeymoon over, her hus-
band took her to a lonely country
house and shut her completely out of
society. He insisted upon her hunt
Ing up references and copying his
manuscripts. Lady Lytton's life was
was long and terrible tragedy. In
course Of time she became embit-
tered against both her husband and
son, the "Owen Meredith" of litera-
ture. She survived her husband ten
years, and died friendless and un-
mourned.
Dante was married to q notorious
scold, and when he was In exile he
had no desire to see his wife, al
though she was the mother Of his
six children.
William Shakespeare lost the SYM
pathies of the world when, as youth
Of 18, he married Anne Hathaway,
who was eight years his senior. She
was q coarse and ignorant woman
who had no sympathy with the ro-
mantle conditions Of her husbands
life.
John Milton was not great In the
character of either husband or
father. His first wife was disgusted
with his gloomy home and soon ran
away from him. His daughters were
left to grow up utterly neglected.
and the poet characterized them as
"unduiful daughters" in his last
will and testament.
DR.. Samuel Johnson's wife was old
enough to be his mother. but he con-
tinued to be under the illusion Of
the wedding day, when he thought
he had married one Of the most
beautiful women In the world. When
she died at the age Of 81, he being
only 43, he mourned her loss as ire
parable.
Sir Walter Raleigh married o
beautiful girl eighteen years his
Junior, and she adored him with in
creasing ardor to the very last mo-
ment of his life.
Lord Bacon enjoyed but little do
nestle bliss. and "loved not to be
with partner" Dryden married dis
cord In a noble Wife" Addison sold
himself to a cross-grained old count
ess. Shelley'B first marriage was un-
fortunate, but his second was q
model Of domestic happiness. Mo-
liere was married to a wife who
made him most miserable. Rousseau
lived most wretched life with his
partner. Steele. Sterne, Churchill.
Coleridge. Byron and Charles Dick