The Express.
London, England, 1852-11-04 00:00:00

LYING IN STATE AM) FUNERAL
Or Tit

DUE OF WELLINGTON.

The design for the lying in state has been com-
pleted by Professor Cockerel!, assisted by the peach.
cal experience of Mr. Holland, and has also been
seen and highly approved of by the Queen and Prince.
Albert, to whose inspection it was submitted the
evening before last, by the Marquis of Exeter, who
went down specially to Windsor for the purpose.
, Her Majesty was, we understand, most warm in her
expressions of admiration. We were favoured yes-
terday evening with a sight of the completed draw.
ing, and venture to anticipate that the royal approval
will be ratified by the verdict of the public. Cont.
mencing at Queen's row, the public will pass into the
hall through a partially covered way draped with
black cloth, into the vestibule, the dome of which,
nearly ono hundred feet high, will be gracefully fes-
tooned in the same sombre material. The long
I draperies will descend to the floor, mid be finished
and held together In the centre by an enormous
plume of black feathers, descending in the form
of a chandelier. A dim light will be hero
diffused by means of a few large candelabra,
this sombre illumination being purposely arranged in
order to bring oat in more sulking contrast the ex-
treme gorgeousness of the interior. On entering the
hall the eye, assisted by eighty-three enormous can-
delabra' ranged round the hall, will be first struck
with the sable hangings with which the walls and
ceiling ac completely covered, and the niches, in
each of which is tll stand, with arms reversed, soldiers
in pairs of the Duke'a regiment. A passage strongly
railed off, and eight feet wide, will carry the public
up to the dais, the magnificence of which will far
surpass anything that has hitherto been seen in this
country in the way of funeral decoration. It will be
tarty-five feet wide by thirty-five deep, and com-
pletely covered with cloth of gold of the most costly
description. From the ceiling will descend a mug-'
nificent canopy of black velvet spangled with silver
stars, and fringed with ornaments of the same
material. Over the front of the canopy will be
thrown a heraldic mantle with the family arms
of the deceased emblazoned iu gold. The lining
will bo silver tissue decorated with black spangles,
and the corners will be looped up in festoons also
suspended from the ceiling. The coffin, which has
already been described, will be placed on a raised
platform, surrounded by an ornamental fence
massively silvered, on the pedestals of which will be
placed lions rampant, each bearing a shield with one
of the Duke's numerous armorial devices. The dais
will be lighted from ten hollow columns having
reflectors inside, and so arranged as to throw the
light completely on the bier, while appearing them-
selves dark and sombre to the spectator. The designs
of these columns will represent bundles of spears
bound with laurel and studded with hatchments.
Besides these the bier will be surrounded by twelve
smaller candelabra silvered, and containing four
lights each, the whole so arranged as to throw the
whole body of light on the dais and its contents,
while the remainder of the hall is left in compara-
tive gloom. The back ground of the whole will
be formed of a " Trophy," consisting of the flags
captured by " The hero of a hundred tights,"
in his various well-fought fields, while, at
the foot of the coffin, in front, will be seen a
touching memorial of his greatness, being a collection
of all his military insignia and decorations. Among
these are nine marshal's batons, foreign orders innu-
merable, and last, but not least interesting, the
sword he wore at Waterloo. At the head of the
coffin will be placed three handsome chairs, for the
chief and two assistant mourners—functions which
will no doubt be fulfilled in turn by some of the most
distinguished personages in the kingdom, as there
are tew who would nut deem it an honour to be re-
corded as one of those who had so officiated. The
whole of the draperies of the hall will be trellised
with silver cord.

The difficulty of carrying out all these elaborate
and costly arrangements in time will severely test
the resources of Messrs. Dowbiggin and 'Jutland,
especially as several of the materims to be used must
be specially manufactured. Among other things,
they have had to send to Germary for a large pun
tion of the gold and silver cloth, it having been
found quite impossible to get it in sufficient quantity
in England. 'these articles, which will cost respec-
tively 31. ss. and 21. ss. a yard, will be among the
most expensive features in the detorations.

The inscription for the coffin plate, which was only
returned from the Lord Chamberlain's office yester-
day evening, ism; follows:
" The most high, mighty, and most noble Prince
Arthur, Duke and Marquis of Wellington, Marquis
Douro, Earl of Wellington, Viscount Wellington of
Talavera and of Wellington, and Baron Douro of
Wellesley; Knight of the Most Noble Order of the
Garter, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable
Order of the Bath, one of her Majesty's Most Honour-
able Privy Council, and Field-Marshal and Com-
mander-in-Chief of her Majesty's Forces. Born Ist
May, 1779; died 14th September, mu..
It is not expected that the preparations will be
completed until the 14th, and consequently the
'funeral procession cannot take place until the 21st.
There will be no private or preferential view,
except one visit by her Majesty and Prince
Albert. At St. Paul's, notwithstanding every
exertion, the works get on rather slowly: The
timber work is extremely heavy, and there is great
difficulty in moving the large beams, arising partly
from the absence of machinery, and partly from
the peremptory order of the Dean and Chapter that
nothing should be rolled or dragged along the pave-
ment. The gas mains are all laid, and preparations
are being made for an experimental lighting up
for the inspection of the Chief Commissioner of
Woods and Forests. Mr. Banting's men have already
begun to cover one of the galleries in black, but
there is no truth in the statement which has been
published that the interior of the vast dome is to
be decorated with the same material. Although the
men work until ten o'clock every night, there will be
great difficulty in getting the fittings ready by the
time appointed.

His Grace the Earl Marshal, attended by his private
secretary, Mr. Dandy, and accompanied by Sir Charles
Young, Garter Bing-at-Arms, paid a visit to St.
Paul's Cathedral yesterday, for the purpose of in-
specting the arrangements in progress within that
sacred edifice. His grace was received by Mr.
Plucknett, one of the partners in Messrs. Cubitt's
firm, and conducted by that gentleman over the
works, which are now in a very advanced state.
The duke made minute inquiries as to the accom-
modation to be afforded for the public, and carefully
examined the various galleries, addressing a number
of questions to Mr. Plucknett as to their stability, Ike.
His grace, having made a complete survey of the
building, expressed himself entirely satisfied with the
works so far as they had proceeded, and promised to
pay another visit in a few days.

Two non-commissioned officers and six men from
each corps in the service, are to attend the Duke of Wel-
lington's funeral.

The Berlin correspondent of the Journal la Frank-
fort writes: The deputation of the Prumian army which
is to attend the funeral of the Duke of Wellington, will be
eompoeed of Baron Hiller de Gartringen. General of In-
fantry, on the retired list; two Aides-de-Camp of the
King; and of the colonel and some officers of the Vith
Regiment of Infantry,of which the Duke was the cowman.
dant. M. de Hiller is the only Prussian officer noir dying
who commended a considerable body of troops at Waterloo.
In addition to this official deputation, more than 40 generals
and officers of the staff will attend. It is said that the
Prince of Prussia will leave Coblentz on the 14th for Lon-
don for the same purpose. M. de Khselcff will return to
Paris in a fortnight. General do Wrangel will return from
his journey to Constantinople at the beginning of
Novemts r."

SOUTH LONDON BENEFIT BUILDING SOCIETY.—
Yetterday evening, a public meeting in connexion with
this society was held in llawkatene-hall, Waterloo-road.
The chair was taken by Mr. Apsley Pellatt, M.P. The
secretary read the directors' address, from which it ap-
peared that the society is constituted on the terminating
and completing plan, but without any redemption fee.
The directors claimed the confidence of the public, both
borrowers and investers, as having been the managers of
the South London Temperance Building Society, now at
the commencement of its ninth successful year. After the
reading of the report, Mr. Pellatt addressed the meeting in 11
recommendation of the subject. It was then moved by Mr.
T. A. Smith, and seconded by Mr. James Sears, and carried,
that the meeting having heard the statement read by the
secretary of the objects end priutipita of the society, was
opinion that this society was deserving of the cordial sup-
port of the middle and working classes.