Madness of Mary Lincoln

[kerry]

It seems like Julia had mental abnormalities and sexual scandal, which may or may not have been related. No one mentions her being eccentric, so maybe that was confined to the home. Elizabeth said was especially bad after each child was born, so it was probably postpartum psychosis and may not have been noticeable at other times. But then Elizabeth said she was at no time natural in her behavior. Surely they wouldn't have sent her to Washington if she was "at no time natural." Mary seems to have been upset by the sexual behavior, as I doubt she had especially liberal views on that subject, and Julia was married.