Why didn't Mary visit the Holy Land?

[Tom Emery]

Let me clarify my comment on Mary -- I was not saying she was alone in her mourning practice, and certainly was not criticizing her. I merely meant that her actions were carried to extremes.

I've always felt that her choice of mourning clothes for the rest of her life was indicative of the deepness of her mourning in general. She suffered greatly in the losses of her children and husband -- her life was never the same after those -- and her lifelong mourning attire reflected that.

I feel the same way on the connection between Queen Victoria and Mary Lincoln, and have been interested in the correspondence of the queen toward the former first lady.