Who Said This?

[AussieMick]

Rob , well done ... very well done. More info to come, but my opinion of him ... not a nice man. A hero to some but a racist even for those years.
Irish patriot who escaped from Australia after being transported there, went to New York and caused outrage thru supporting slavery and criticism of clergy.

[RJNorton]

Good question Michael. That was a tough one!

[AussieMick]

It was indeed a tricky question ... good googling by Rob

I was going to follow the first quote with this
he said Lincoln was 'an ignoramus and a boor' and
' not an apostle at all; no grand reformer; not so much as an abolitionist, except by accident'

https://www.historyireland.com/southern-...d-slavery/
(goes on a bit ... suggest scrolling if you bother to access it)

He undoubtedly held strong views, some of which most of us would consider abhorrent. He had though suffered in Ireland and no doubt in Australia. "In his last year, 1875, and while still resident in the United States, Mitchel was elected twice to the British Parliament from Tipperary on a platform of Irish Home Rule, tenant rights and free education."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Mitchel

[RJNorton]

No googling please.

Who said this about Mary Lincoln?

"I never in my life saw a more peculiarly constituted woman. Search the world over, and you will not find her counterpart."

[Rob Wick]

Well, it would have to be someone who had some connection to her or saw her on a regular basis. Could it be Benjamin French?

Best
Rob

[RJNorton]

I am sorry, Rob, but it was not French.

[Gene C]

William Herndon ?

[RJNorton]

I am sorry, Gene, but it was not Herndon.

[AussieMick]

General George McClellan?

[RJNorton]

Nope, Michael, it wasn't McClellan.

Hint #1: The correct answer is female.

[Steve]

Elizabeth Keckley?

[RJNorton]

Right on, Steve. Indeed it was Elizabeth Keckly.

[Gene C]

I haven't been to Springfield this year and my wife hasn't wanted to go these past few years, it's the same old thing to her (even though it's not)
So, on a crossword puzzle today, the question was " Election advice from young Grace Bidell to Mr Lincoln" 10 letter answer.
She knew the answer - Growabeard.

So for her birthday present coming soon, I suggested a nice relaxing trip to Springfield.
The look in her eyes said no,
and her lips did too.
Oh well, I'll try again next year.

I thought of making a Mary Lincoln White Almond (birthday) cake, but unfortunately, Betty Crocker does not have that available as a box mix. Fortunately, Pillsbury does.
And it's available at WalMart -
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Pillsbury-Moi...gLO3PD_BwE

Wish me luck.

[Anita]

Coincidence- My husband came out to the kitchen this morning and asked me "Who is Grace Bidell?" I replied that she told Lincoln to grow a beard. He said, "That's the answer!" and went back to finish the NY Times crossword!

As to baking your wife a box mix Mary Lincoln White Almond Cake, it's not a bad idea. May I suggest you include a Mary Lincoln spa day gift certificate she could use in Springfield next year.

Good luck Gene!

[Gene C]

That's because he's never been on any of our trips.
My wife says it's osmosis, whether you like it or not