The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-02-22 00:00:00

IN MEMORY OF NAPOLEON 111.

The Correspondent of The Times, writing from acme on
the 12th, says
On the Bth inst., the 30th day after the death of
Napoleon 111., a solemn funeral service in his memory
WRS celebrated at the Ossario, or Charnel-house, of
Solferino, in the Church of St. Peter. which stands
~n a hill to the south of the Spin d'ltalia—the well-
known tower so prominent in all narratives and
panoramas of the great battle, and which owes its
name to the immense extent of country which
may thence be seen. The hill on which the church
stands was defended on the 24th of June, 1859, by
an Austrian battery, and the church, occupied by
soldiers, was a mark for the French shot and shell.
It remained no better than a ruin. Ten years after
the battle two members of the Italian Parliament,
Senator Count Torelli and Deputy Cavriani, formed
an association with the object of collecting and rebury.
lug the bones of the slain. It was estimated that the
bodies of 11,000 men were left where they died on the
field of battle, out of a total of 35,000 killed and
wounded. 'those who may have visited the scene of that
bloody fight immediately after its occurrence will re-
member how rapidly the work of burial was done, f. r it
was an exceptionally hot summer, and there was no time
to lase, The graves were shallow, and not unfrequently,
in subsequent years, the ploughshare discovered corpses.
An soon as the ten years bail expired during which
the Italian law prohibits such disinterments, the neces•
sary funds were raised by subscription, a committee
was formed, two great graves were prepared, the bones
of the dead were collected, and it is estimated that the
remains of 7,100 comhatants now lie ,oizether at Sol-
ferino, and those of 2,300 at San Martine. The old
church on the bill has been rebuilt ; it is enrrounded
by gardens, in which the friends of the slain have been
all, deed to erect tombs, crosses, and other memorials.
In this church on Saturday last there was an imposing
ceremony. In spite of the weather, the concourse of
people was great. The mayors and parish priests of all
the Communes, eight in number, over whose territory
ths battle had extended, were invited, and all at-
tended. The rain and the cold did not prevent many
ladies from repairing to the church. A great number
of officers were present, chiefly from Verona and
I'e-Bc:biers, the nearest garrisons. Toe solemn service
began at noon. In the middle of the church a lofty
catafalque had been erected, flanked by large can-
delabra and surmounted by a sarcophagus covered
with wreaths of laurel and flowers. Inscriptions,
composed by Senator Achilli Mauri, and referring to
Napoleon's life and reign, and especially to his
services to Italy, were on each of the four sides of
the catafalque. The scene was most impressive, espe-
cially when the numerous clergy, ranging themselves
round theeatafalque, sang the Dies ircr. Many there had
been present at the inauguration of the great tomb and
monument on the 24th of June, 1870, and their thoughts
could not but revert to that date when the Sovereign
in whose honour they were, assembled was still,
although no longer at the pinnacle of his power and
prosperity, one of the great potentates of Europe.
The following is one of the four inscription above.
mentioned

"Arbiter of Europe for more than three lures, fallen
in less than a month into the abyss of the direst misfor-
tune, thad an cede in a foreign land, he cannot yet be
judged by history, but grateful Italy win bear his aid
in lasting remembrance."