The Express.
London, England, 1852-09-22 00:00:00

THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON'S
FUNERAL.

The following letter, from the Prime Minister to
the Home Secretary, was received this morning, and
it will be seen that it contains the wishes of her
Majesty respecting the disposal of the remains of the
illustrious Duke:

BALMORAL, SZPT. 20, I£o2.

Sir,—Her Majesty received with the deepest grief
on Thursday last the afflicting intelligence of the sudden
death of his Oran the Duke of Wellington. Although the
Oaten could not for a moment doubt that the voice of the
country would be 11L1911i0101/11 upon the subject of the
honours to be paid to the memory of the greatest man of
the iige, her Majesty eonsid.•red it due to the feelings of
his Oraoe's surviving relations that no steps should be
taken even in his honour without their previous
concurrence, and, accordingly, on the same eye-
ain't, in obedience to her Majesty's commands,
' wrote to Lord Charles Wellesley (the present Duke
having not then returned to England) to asvrtain
whether the late Duke had left any directions, or whether
his family desired to 'event any wish upon the subjel,anil
suggesting the course which appeared to her Majesty best
calculated to give expression to those feelings in which the
nation, as one man, will sympathise with her Majesty.
Having this day received letters from the present duke
and his brother to the effect that the late Duke has left no
directions on the subject, and placing themselves wholly in
her Majesty's hands, I hasten to relieve the public anxiety
by signifying to you, for general information, the commands
which I have received fnim her Majesty.
The great apace which the name of the Doke of Wel-
lington has filled in the history of the last fifty years—his
brilliant achievements in the field, his high mental quali-
ties, his long and faithful services to the mown, his untiring
devotion to the interests of his country—constitute claims
upon the gratitude of the nation which • public fennel,
though it cannot setisfy, at least may serve to recognise.
Iler Majesty is well aware that, as in the case of Lard
Nelson, she might, of her owe authority, have given imme-
diate orders for this public mark of veneration for the
memory of the illustrious Duke, and has no doubt but that
parliament and theconntry would cordially have approved of
the step. But her Majesty, anxious that this tribute of grati-
tude and of sorrow should be deprived of nothing which
*sold invest it with • thoroughly national character i
' anxious that the greatest possible number of her subjects
should have an opportunity of joining it, is anxious, above
all, that such honour should not appear to emanate lions the
crown alone, and that the two Houses of Parliament should
►ave an opportunity by their previous sanction, of stamping
the proposed ceremony with incensed solemnity, and of
associating themselves with her Majesty in paying honour
to the memory of ono whom no Englishman can name with-
out pride or sorrow.

The body of the Duke of Wellington will, therefore, re-
main, with the concurrence of the family, under proper
guardianship, until the Queen shall have received the for- I
seal approval of parliament of the course which it will be
the duty of her Majesty's servants to submit to both houses,
open their resseembling. As soon as powible, after
that approval shall have been obtained, it is
her Majesty's wish, should no unforeseen impedi-
ment arise, that the mortal remains of the late
illustrious and venerated Commander-in-Chief should,
at the public expense and with all the solemnity due to the
greatness of the occasion, be deposited in the cathedral
church of St. Paul's, there to rest by the aide of Nelson,
the greatest military by the side of the greatest naval chief
who ever reflected lustre upon the annals of England.

I hare the honour to he, Sir,
Your most odedieet and tumble servant,
The Right Hon. S. 11. Walpole. • Dias:.

The body will remain for the present at Widmer ;
while it continues in that position a military guard,
consisting of a detachment of the Rifle Bri, of
which the late Duke was colonel, will be placed to
keep watch.
When the last accounts left Balmoral, the Earl of
Derby was on the point of settin4 out for Knowsley.
In all probabilityhe started yesterday, and his stay
was thought likely to extend to several thys. It is
believed that the Queen and Prince Albert would
remain some time longer (perhaps a week or two) in
Scotland.

The new Doke of Wellington visited the metro-
polis yesterday, and had an interview with Lord Fitz-
roy Somerset. fie returned to Wilmer Castle in the
evening. Ms Grace has been rejoined by the Duchess
at Widmer.

The public may be interested in the fact that the
person who constructed the car in which Nelson's
coffin was conveyed to St. Faure still survives, and
that he is most anxious to driven nail in that which
is to enclose the remains of Wellington.
A symptom of the readiness with which all
parties in authority will lend their aid at the ap•
preaching ceremony, has been found in the case
of the Commissioners of the Metropolitan Roads,
who have intimated thus early their desire to place
all the leading thoroughfares in proper condition —a
work which they say can be accomplished within
two or three days after they have received a proper
notification.

It is impossible to convey an adequate idea of the
anxiety which is being manifested throughout thecoun-
try to attend the funeral. In all the towns which lie
along the Great Northern Railway and other lines
information is being most eagerly sought with regard
to the removal of the body to London, and there can
be no doubt that had it been determined to convey it
to Apeley-hawse at once, the metropolis would this
week hays her visited by crowds of persons throng-
ing together to witness the lying in state. It is to be
bossed that tide ardent longing to pay homage to
the great sea who has left no will not be disap-
painted, bat that, by the selection of some suitable
place seek so Westminster Hall, and other conve-
ners; arrangements, the nation which has suffered
the lees wag be able to pas by the remain of the
deemed. A strong desire is also generally expressed
that the tassel itself should be on as grand, that is
as national, t sale as possible. Our reputation for
such ceremonials is by no means high, Nelaon's funeral
in particular being considered a mess of incongrui
ties and bad taste. The Earl Marshal, who will
issue the pesteamme, is doubtless learned in all that
relates to such matters. There is a danger, how-
ever, that his plan may be too heraldic. The obse-
quies of Monk and Marlborough may look well on
paper; but times are changed, and what was fitting
when they were celebrated- would be ridiculous now.
The Duke of Wellington, moreover, was not merely
a general—the greatest tho country ever produced—
but a statesman and a citizen, and in the latter capa-
cities no leas then the former won the regard of the
nation. Ile himself would never have thought of
enacting a servile imitation of the manners of a by-
gone age ;, and those who have the ordering of his
funeral should also pay the some regard to the
change of circumstances and the passage of time.

The Lirerpout Standard states that the following
memorial was laid upon the tables of the Exchange news-
room on Friday, for signature :—" To the Worshipful the
Mayor: We, the undersigned, beg respectfully that you
will call • public meeting, so soon as may be convenient,
for the purpose of giving the inhabitants of the good old
loyal town of Liverpool an opportunity of expressing their
feelings upon the great loss this country has sustained in
the recent demise of his Grace the Duke of Wellington."
The local clergy, (says the Cheltenham Journal,)
in their sermons yesterday, feelingly alluded to the me-
lancholy Inch, for the last tew days, has formed the
all-aluorbing subject throughout the country. It may not
Its known to many of our readers that the departed warrior-
statesman visited Cheltenham in the year 1810, and that,
on the evening of the 29th of July in that •year, the splendid
ball-room connected with the largo pile of buildings known
as the Assembly Rooms, was opened under his patronage.
During his stay here, his grace planted an oak tree in the
grounds at the rear of • mansion then standing in Wel-
lington.street„ in commemoration of which an obelisk sat
erected ; this hu since been purchased by Lord Northwick,
and removed to thu guden attached to Thirlestaine-house.

DisCOVERY or TIIE REMAINs or WARRIOnS.—
On Thursday last as some workmen, In the employ of Mr.
Naylor, builder, wero engaged in excavating • cellar at
the house now in course detection on Star-It:II, Rochester,
they suddenly came upon • number of skeletons, which
were buried &boat Bee feet below the surface of the ground.
Ths skeletons, which were right in number, spneitrell to
hare been buried with great care, though perhaps hurriedly,
as the remains of their mots of mail were clearly discernible,
proving they fell in combat. One of the individuals was •
person of gi?antic stature, the skeleton measuring over
seven feet. In his hand was found a large sp.nr, the metal
of which is still perfect. Various reasons are rosigned for
the bodies 'wing found iu this situation, but the best assign-
obis) reason appears to be that they are the remains of those
who fell during the troubles of the commonwealth. They
have been visited by niaby antiquarians sing* tlitir die
cuTcry.—Muicietunc ✓vm; nal.

iil.f?

I THE DUNE OF MARLBOROUGH'S FUNERAL. I
The following particulars of the Duke of Marl-
borough's funeral are extracted Nom the London Poet of
1728:
" Last Friday (July the 13th) the Duke of Montagu*
was at the late dwelliag-house of the Duke of Marl-
borough, to view the dispositions for his fiewal, which,
'tie said, will be solemnised the 9th of nest mends. Five
of the lower rooms are not yet quite hung with mourn-
ing, in one of which, which is the largest, is a canopy of
etate over the corps, which latter is about throe foot
from the ground, with fins black cloth round it for the
mates and other attendants. The deceased'. domestics
attend already day and night in mounting round the corpse,
and are relieved every four hours ; in soother room is •
chai: of state with egutcheons, representing the victories
and trophies of the late duke of renowned memory, and,
among other arms are those of the Empire, the picture of
Prises Eugene, the Earl of Catlegan, and other great gene-
rals, who assisted to the glorious battle at Hecht/ter.
"The open hoarse, made by Mr. Awberry, for the obse-
quies of the late Duke of Marlborough, is finished, and ell
poesible expedition is used in completing eveiything for the
approaching Niteroi, which is nicdellcd according to that of
General Monk, with this variation, among others, that the
lists duke's hearse is to be drawn by eight horses, whereas
that of General Monk hid only
"The Duke of Marlborough's Normal will be performed
as we are told, after the following manner:—The body is
to be received into an open hearse, with a velvet canopy
over it, in St. James's-park, 'art of the garden wall belong-
ing to his grate's late dwellir.glioug being first taken down.
The funeral procession (which will be the most pompous
and magnificent that bath been seen for many years) to pass
threugh St. James'opark, up Coast itution-bill to Hyde- park-
corner, so through pint of Piccadil: y, down St.James's-street,
Pall-mall, Charinkeross, and Kiug-street, to Westminster
Abbey. A little time before the arrival of the body at the
park gate the army in Hyde-perk, both horse and foot, will,
upon 117ieg a cannon, be commanded out to march before the
funeral cavalrade of their late met noble and victorious
general. The Tower guns to be fired by the minute at four
or five of the clock, heiog the time of the said caysleade;
and after the body is interred, and Garter King at Arms
bath aimed the stile of the deceased, the trumpets will
and the- whole army will make three discharges
with their firearms. Four thousand medals are to be
struck, in order to be given away at lb* solemnity. The
pall la to be supported by eight knights of the Garter.
Seventy-three poor old men (being tho number of his
Grace's years) to walk in new mourning, with badges of his
Grace's arms, in the pr.teession. None to be admitted to
we the body lying in gate but quality, permits of distinc-
tion, and such as are furnished with tickets. The whole
carrot, 'tis thought, will amount to 10,0001., which will
be defrayed by hit Grace's family."
"We bear that a suit of armour is now cleaning in
the Tower, which is to be laid upon the coffin when 'Ss
carried in procession, the helmet lying between two co-
ronets, one his Imperial coronet, so Prince of Middleheim,
and the other his ducal one, as Duke of MorProrough,
and that a piece of ordnance is to be drawn at the some
time, which is to be attended by the officers of the Ord-
nance. Seventy-three of the out-pensioners of Chelsea
ere to walk in gowns with his Grace's arms before the
corpse. The Dean of Westminster has appointed Dr.
Crofts to eompoee • funeral anthem. The dean and pre-
bends are to walk in their copes, and Dr. Crofts in his
mantle, and raid that .the choirs of St. Paul's and Bt.
James's are likewise to attend."

" THE MIDIS la THS PROCESSION OF VII DOSS OF

;011'5 71:24114.11, ON Tit 1:118DAY, TUE tit

txer. -
LeUchment of Horse Grenadiers. The two troops
of Orenaditr Guards. The four troops of Hone Guards,
according to their priority. The Coldstream regiment
of Foot Guard, a train of artillery, consisting of fifteen
Reid-pieces and two mortar', conducted by proper °Meer,.
&e., of the Ordnance. Fourty gentlemen on horseback in
mourning closeks, hatbands, and gloves. The standard
of Great Britain carried by a eollonel and supported by
two °Man in new scarlet cloacks. The banner of Mid-
illeheina carried by • collonel and two captains to sup-
port, as scarlet as before. The bonus, of the Garter,
ofa collonel and two captains, as before. The banner
Woodstock, by a (*Hemel and two captains. A led
horse, adorned with the arms of the banner. Four chief
effacers of his Greco—viz., chamberlain, steward, comp-
troller, secretary, with white stave.. Ihe sitrjeant trum-
peter with the mace. The great banner, the arms of the
family, carried by a collonel and supported by two captains.
Chief mourning horse, covered with velvet caparison to the
ground, and adorned with escutcheons. OMeers at arms,
in their coats, following each other, bearing the regalia
viz., spurn, [newtons, helmet, sword, shield, aureola.
The open chariot, after the model of Queen
Mary, drawn by eight horses, covered with black
velvet down to the ground, adorned with badges
and supporters. Feathers on the horse", the chariot and
canopy covered all with black velvet, end &mbar. on the
canopy ; the Tanen of the chariot all round with gold Bioge
and with four gold tosses, liars on the corners, and gold
lace. The top of the canopy within adorned with his
peace's arms, on the eagle, with stars and badges about
at. Tho bottom part adorned with the arms of the prin-
cipal towns taken by him with this motto under them,
Bello Alec elpiera. The whole chariot adorned with ban-
ner., &c., of victory. The body in a crimson velvet open,
adorned with water-gilt nails, and a gilt copperplate of his
grace's titles, with a rich pall of state ou the body drawn
op in festoons. Upon the pall a suit of armour richly gilt
with gold, lying upon • crimson velvet cushion with gold
tinsels, with • ducal coronet and cop on his right side, and
on his left the coronet and cap of the empire. A gold
truncheon in his right Mind, and n gold sword on his left
aide, girt to him by a crimson velvet belt, and the collar of
the Order and George about his neck, and his garter, • lion
couchant at his feet, holding a banner, and his two chief
gentlemen sitting at the heed and feet of the body, in
mourning cloacks, bareheaded. Ten cfllcers, in new scarlet
cloaths, on horseback, carrying the ten banner rolls—viz.,
tire of each side of the hone, in silk scarves, hatbands, and
gloves. His Majcsty'a coach. His Royal Highness's coaen.
The nobilitics coaches according to their degree. One
hundred Horse Guards to close the procession."