Mary's purchase ....

[BettyO]

Quote:Regarding whether or not Mary purchased items "just in case" they were needed -- it was considered bad luck for women to have unneeded mourning items in their home. Often, as soon as a woman was finished with one stage of mourning, she gave her attire to someone who was in need. I do not know if Mary did this or not. As Laurie mention, Mary held a "fascination" with the 'thin veil that separates the living from the dead.' She was also somewhat superstitious. I don't see her making purchases for items if owning them would bring bad luck to the owner.

Quite accurate! Mary Lincoln DID indeed have a fascination with that "thin Veil" between life and death and had seances in the White House. I've read that Lincoln himself attended a couple (more or less at Mary's insistance!)

Was it ever recorded what he thought of them?