86 still s.e.xually inexperienced: For sensitive comment on this point, see Strozier, Lincoln's Quest for Union, pp. 4748.

86 "horrible and alarming": CW, 1:280.

87 His nerve snapped: Herndon's elaborate story of how Lincoln failed to show up at the wedding ceremony planned for Jan. 1,1841, has been thoroughly discredited. See Randall, Mary Lincoln, chap. 4.

87 "her-and parted": WHH, interview with Joshua F. Speed, undated, HWC. I have reversed the order of the first two quoted sentences. For the best reconstruction of this interview, which was recorded on two separate pieces of paper, see Douglas L. Wilson, "Abraham Lincoln and 'That Fatal First of January,'" Civil War History 38 (1992): 104106.

87 with Matilda Edwards: Those who blamed Matilda Edwards for the rupture seem to have their information from Mary Todd, who was looking for a face-saving reason for Lincoln's actions. There is no credible evidence that Lincoln was in love with Matilda Edwards; to the contrary, Matilda told Elizabeth Edwards, "On my word he never mentioned such a subject to me: he never even stooped to pay me a compliment."

87 "felt as always": WHH, interview with Mrs. N. W. Edwards, [Jan. 10, 1866], HWC. As Douglas L. Wilson has pointed out ("Abraham Lincoln and 'That Fatal First of January' "), it is difficult to construct a correct chronology of these events. I judge that the breaking of the engagement occurred on what Lincoln referred to as "that fatal first of Jany. '41." My guess is that Mary did not write her letter immediately but delayed by as much as a week. That would explain why Lincoln was able to go about his business in the legislature during the first week in January but was prostrated with guilt and depression during the second week.

87 might commit suicide: WHH, interview with James Matheny, May 3, 1866, HWC.

87 "such dangerous things": WHH, interview with Joshua F. Speed, [1866], HWC.

87 "serious was apprehended": Wilson, "Abraham Lincoln and 'That Fatal First of January,' "p. 123.

87 "of my character": CW, 1:289.

88 "she is otherwise": CW, 1:282.

88 "on the earth": CW, 1:228229.

88 "a Duck fit": Wilson, "Abraham Lincoln and 'That Fatal First of January,'" p. 124 and note.

88 "not loved again": Carl Sandburg and Paul M. Angle, Mary Lincoln: Wife and Widow (New York: Harcourt, Brace & Co., 1932), pp. 179180.

88 "of the law": Ibid., p. 180.

89 "for its promises": J.F. Speed to WHH, Sept. 17, 1866, HWC.

89 "to the truth": CW, 1:261.

89 "creatures on board": CW, 1:260.

89 "heavenly black eyes": CW, 1:266.

89 doctor and patient: I borrow this image from Wilson, "Abraham Lincoln and 'That Fatal First of January,'" p. 127.

89 "for a while": CW, 1:266269.

89 "on defective nerves": CW, 1:265.

89 "happiest of men": CW, 1:270.

90 "of Jany. '41": CW, 1:282.

90 "pardon it in me": CW, 1:303.