[Illustration: CATHARINE DE BORA, _WIFE OF LUTHER_.] CATHARINE DE BORA; OR, Social and Domestic SCENES IN THE HOME OF LUTHER. BY JOHN G. MORRIS, TRANSLATOR OF “THE BLIND GIRL OF WITTENBERG,” AND PASTOR OF THE FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH OF BALTIMORE. PHILADELPHIA: LINDSAY & BLAKISTON. 1856. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by LINDSAY & BLAKISTON, in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. STEREOTYPED BY J. FAGAN PRINTED BY C. SHERMAN & SON. CONTENTS. Page CHAPTER I. Clerical Celibacy—Luther—Bernhardi’s Marriage—Treatment of Catharine De Bora—the Convent—Wealthy Nuns—Convent Life—the Escape—Treatment of the Nuns—Florentine de Oberweimer—Leonard Koppe—Luther’s Defence 9 CHAPTER II. Luther’s Reflections—Example of the Apostles—Celibacy—Gregory VII.—Luther’s Change of Mind—Luther’s Marriage—Character of Catharine 27 CHAPTER III. Wedding-Dinner—Melanchthon—Slanders 43 CHAPTER IV. Luther’s Domestic Life—Character of Catharine—Perils of Luther—Sickness—Death of his Parents—Private Life—Catharine 52 CHAPTER V. Income—Expenses—Hospitality—Charity—Diet—Afflictions— Despondency—Journeys—Death 70 CHAPTER VI. Catharine, a Widow—Her Support—Sufferings—Journeys—Death 84 CHAPTER VII. Luther’s Children—Domestic Character—Catharine 94 CHAPTER VIII. Character of Catharine 120 PREFACE. There are many interesting and characteristic incidents in the domestic life of Luther which are not found in biographies of the great Reformer. The character of his wife has not been portrayed in full, and who does not wish to become better acquainted with a woman who mingled many a drop of balsam in those numerous cups of sorrow which her celebrated husband was compelled to drink?