The Express.
London, England, 1864-09-12 00:00:00

RT`NDAY F 1 NERLLB AT KENS3L-GRIULNi.

The chaateacl festivities of the Harrow road are
at • their height at six o'clock on a fine Sunday
evening. riles' are the wayside taverns—which
save been re-opened an hour—crowded with thirsty
dissonsolates, then do the peripatetic costermougers
find trade at its briskest, and the hidden affinity
between funerals and fruit most strongly apparent,
and then do mourning coaches aid heavily-laden
cabs vie with each other in the distracting celerity
of their pace, the frequency of their stoppages, and
the amity esistent between their drivers sod their
fares. The one particular fare for which they have
been summoned, and in whose honour such a round
of conviviality is sustained, has been left in the
Catholic Cemetery of St. 3lary's, which adjoins
that of All Souls, or, as it is more frequently called,
Kenai-green. The quaint little public-house,
which stands opposite the road leading—by the
shadimt, greenest, and most rural of pathways—to
Willesdeu, is full to overflowing. Its bar is stocked
with iuky-clothed figures, who band drink to the
ladies and children inside the coaches and cabs,
who are pledging each other with all the solemnity
the occasion demands, and wbo bring out glass after
glass to the driver with an air of deep conviction
as to the hollowness of life and the ne-
cessity of cultivating brotherly love, by the
free adruiuistering of stimulants during the
remainder of their span. Looking up the hill,
and iu the direction of Harrow, you see more cabs
and further instalments of mourniug coaches drawn
by mane-waving black steeds, each °ilea which seems
bent upoa attaining some tavern it has iu its mind's
eye, before the neighbour at its heels. It would be
perhaps harsh to call this racing, or to comment

„,
upon the unrestrained anxiety for refreshments
which is one of the most striking features in the
cavalcade ; but it may be safely assumed that were
. . .

this road dep:ived of its decal traffic, it would lose
nearly ali its life, and that malt of the buried people
vetasion more pleasant joviality after they ari be-
low the turf than is given to any—save a few among
us—to promote during our earthly pilgrimage.
Even at the Cemetery itself, and at the very mo-
ment of interment, there has beeu a strong under-
current of sociality, as evidenced by the open con-
sumption of tobacco, the constant flow of chat

among the groups squatting on the grass, and the
affable criticisuis of the little crowd of bystanders
as coach after coach discharges both passengers and
coffin at the chapel dour. A printed notice
at the Cemetery gate declares that no street calla
can be admitted, so a long row of those useful
vehicles form an engaged stand outside, whilst their
late occupants troop down the broad gravel walks
side by snit, with the hearses and the privileged
sitters in the orthodox black one-horse coaches iu
their rear. These good people are, as a rule, not in
mourning, and seem to be here out of respect for a
late acquaintance; or morbid yearning for excite-
ment, or locate love for what au insane nobleman
termed " black jobs,' rather than because of rela-
tionship or intimate connexion with the departed.
Once at the chapel they disperse, some few entering
with the legitimate mourners, but the majority
ranging themselves at distant intervals ou the grass
or amongst the tombs, there to smoke the genial
dudheen, to comment on the horses of the under-
taker, or to play with the dog they have smuggled
into the grounds in defiance of stringent orders,
and without the knowledge of the Cemetery chapel
attendant, who in white trousers and a
dress-coat pups about übiquitously, now assist-
ing in the arraugement of each set of mourners,
now parleying with one of the undertaker's men as
to the non-production of the certificate, and the
impossibility of proceeding with the ceremony, and
now " sighting" the distant officiating priest as he
progresses from grave to grave to bestow the last
rites of the church upon the batch of corpses new
in course of burial. "He's at the holy innocents,
so he can't be very long now," remarks an obese
mute, whose constant flow of anecdote has kept the
little knot of smokers, of which he forms the centre,
on the broad grin for the last ten minutes, and
shortly after this the crowd near the Cemetery wall,
far away to the extreme left, breaks up, and the priest
and, attendants return to the chapel, which is by
this time again full of mourners iu the seats re-
served for them, of lookers on in the space behind,
and of coffins on the stands and trestles in front of
the altar. These coffins are of various sizes and di-
verse colours, from the small white, blue, or grey
ones to the left, to the full-sized black nailed elm
ones on the stands nearest the door. The service
applies to tiittse concurrently, and as the bright-eyed,
brown-faced, acolyte bands round a little japan box
for contributions, you bear the pence drop heavily
in from one or other of the sobbing shrouded figures
in your front. The all-covering black cloak of the
andertsker conceals the absence of under mourn-
ing, and it is only on a sudden change of posture
that the coloured print, or corduroy, or fustian,
betrays itself, and the tear-bedewed faces of the
poor Irish men and women stand revealed. The
chapel is quite full, and iu spite of its open doors
a certain strength of flavour is perceptible far from
agreeable to an unacchmatised nose ; and you join
the chatty group of smokers to wait with them for
the solemn procession of coffins, and to marvel that
pipes are nut put out in the actual presence of death.
The Irish element is conspicuously prominent in the
faces of the non-professional men, women, and chil-
dren about ; it shines out unmistakeably in the three

old ladies who are talking so pathetically of "poor
MeV—it is equally palpable in the still older
neon who. seated on the gram, rocks herself to
and fro with a dismal noise, as if the handkerchief
abe has stuffed into her mouth hail converted her ,
ay into the long, low, monotonous wail it is, while
the broad brogue of the three brawny fellows who
converse in monosyllables, and expectorate sorrow-
fully and meditatively saves the gravel path, is an
indisputable evidence of their nationality. These
tkinday funeral. are, indeed, almost exclusively
composed of the poorer order of Irish, and, as we
have seen, are conducted with sufficient decorum as
far as the ceremony is concerned, though the pipe-
smoking and gossipping outside jars against one
notion of anew+ and sense of propriety. A slight
motement among the loungers nearest the western
entrance door, awl t be coffins are borne slowly out by
the other door, a pall being thrown over each as soon
as it is in the open air. Each funeral party follows,
and groups itself round an open grave and patiently
waits its turn. The priest, accompanied by one boy
bearing crucifix, and another with censer, takes
them in regular rotation, invariably concluding the
Latin ceremony with a short set prayer in English,
ending with "May he rest in peace." The mourn-
ers then wait while the grave is filled up, looking
down noon the coffin as the bard heavy clay is
thrown upon it, weeping vehemently and refusing
to be comforted. Iu vain do officious bystanders
offer kindly meant though roughly expressed
solace, such as. " He's as party a grave as any
in • tbia cimitiry darlint anyhow " , Bodies s-re
rocked to and fro, convulsive sobbinr, pro- ;
fuse tears, and loud and bitter lamentations are
the only response. and you leave the ground fully
convinced that for deep, true feeling and genuine
sorrow the people before you are models in their
way. The same scene takes place at each grave,
the service being invariably performed with au
amount of feeling and a degree of pathos on the
part of the gentleman officiating perfectly wonder-
ful, if it he remembered that lie is repeating the
same words under precisely similar circumstances
for perhaps the twentieth time that afternoon; the
pall i, lostfly shaken out (presumably to guard
against infcctiou) and folded by two grinning white-
eravated ten flame') in the "customary suit of solemn
blitek ;" the long row of mourning coaches in front
and reaching down the road on each side of the
chapel are gradually filled, there is a steady rush
to' the cabs outside, and all is over—over,
that is, so far a outward mourning is
concerned. The heart, of course, knoweth its
own bitterness, and may have that within
that pa/meth show, but the external demeanour
becomes resigned the moment the Cemetery is left,
cheerful at the first bend in the road, buoyant at a
proposition to water the horses, and high-spirited
as soon as the glass-handing and hot liquor swallow-
ing fairly sets m. " finch is life," remarks a great
*low theatrical poster on the first wall seen on the
return journey, and it is difficult not to believe that
mane waggish bill-sticker was prompted to so

BELGIAN NATIONAL RIFLE CONTEST.—The Coun-
cil of the Nitrous! Rifle Association of Belgium to the Rifle-
Dieu of England.—Gentlemen,—On the Rird of September
inst. will take place at Brussels, under the patronage of
his Majesty the Kiog, sod their Royal Highnesses the Duke
de Brabant and the Comte de Flambe, the great annual
costar, open to all riflemen, both natiouel aid foreign, and
at which a large number of our countrymen will attend.
Now that steam and railways have overcome distance, sod
the osomaity for purports been removed, we trust that the
English ridemen will not fail on this occasion to renew the
coated which was inaugurated two years ago at
Wimbloloo, and that they will attend sod fra-
ternally dispute the palm of success with us. Gen-
tlemen,—Wei trust you will accept our invitation sad
oome in large numbers, and on your arrival on will see
your noble and ancient flag aide by side with ours ; and we
assure you, you will meet with a warm and cordial recep-
tioo, which cannot fail to bind still closer the ties of friend-
ship which have already united for so long &mimed and
Belgium.—For the roused of the Belgium National Rifle
Association, E. MILLI', President ; A. Coan►r, Secretary.
We understand that arrangements are being made with
railway companies here and the Belgian governmeat lion
to Maus cheap return tickets, available from the 20th Met.
up to the sth October, for the use of volunteers. Bearers
of these tickets will obtain free admission to all the festi-
vities which will take place co the occasion of the September
fiAes at Bruuela—noi, the Voliodeer Bemire Gautte.

—•—• • ....
SCSPECTED POISONING.—A somewhat aerions case
of this Rater, was brought to public notice the other day
sear Stow. It occurred at the farmhouse of Meikle Oat-
pair (Mr. Harper's). On Saturday, the 27th ult., several
of the inmates became seriously indimpoeed after partaking
of the morning meal of porridge. Two servant girls first
took the porridge, and were soon seised with vomiting,sick-
seas, and pains to such an extent as rendered them enable to
attend to their work. The shepherd, a young man, next
came in for breakfast, and commenced his dish
very heartily, but a spoonful or two eouvinced
him that something was vinous with the food,
and be also was soon seized with the Gatos symptom.
The kitchen woman, who prepared the porridge, wastaxed
with not making them properly, but she declared that
nothieg was the matter with them, and, as a proof of her
opioioe, took a small quantity, and she likewise became in-
disposed, and went to bed. Through the illness of the girls
the children's porridge was not taken up to them, and con-
sequently they ercaped. I'nfortuustely both Hr. and Hrs.
Harper treat from home that same morning, and no
proper itivestiptioo was instituted at the time, or medical
skill called in ; hence the ends of justice are frustrated, as
the unused remainder of the food was throws away. Sus-
picion Is, however, strops against the kitchen woman,—
Sou ere Reporter.

DISTRISMING ACCIDENT.—On Friday afternoon
' an accident occurred at Berms Bay, by which • child belong-
. leg to Mr. Suttees, ALP., was killed. Mn. Suttees an.-
tamed very serious if sot fatal injuries, and Mr. Suttees
himaelt was severely bruised and shaken. It appears that
Mr. Sorters has beets staying sometime at Bromideld-house,
Hero., sedan Friday afternoon he started for a drive in a
posy phaeton, to Been. Bay, setionipseied by Mrs. Barters
• and the child, with a footman io atteudanos. When be-
tween the turnpike gate and the King's Heed public.house,
; the pony shied and ran into an adjuiuiog field, upsetting the
vehicle and throwing the occupants into the road. Both
Mr. Burton and the child were taken up is • state of in-
sensibility, the former having piteked heavily as her heed. I
The child, though sot dead, did not lose survive. Every
assiodeoce was rendered to the sufferers, who were removed
to Broomfield-house. Our ocerespoodeat has not bees able
' to ascertain the precise nature of Mrs. Surtese wounds, bat
it is feared that they include fracture of the skull and total
destruction of the sight of one eye. As inquest will be held
on the body of the child Ibis (Modal) morning. Mr.
Burtees and the footman escaped without iujuriss beyond
few bruises and severe shaking.
I ROYAL FRES HOSPITAL, GRAT'S-lIIN-ROAD.-1103
number of patients relieved at this hospital daring the week
ending 10th September was 3,859, of which 1,306 wee
i new oases.
Hornceopathic practitioners, and the medical
profanity' generally, recommend cocoa as being the moot health-
ful of ali be'erages. When the doctrine of hornkopathy was
first introduced into this country, there were to be obtained no
preparations of cocoa either attractive to the testa or acceptable
i to the stomach : the nut was either applied in the crude state
1 or so unskilfully manufactured u to obtain little notice.
. Epp, of London. Boinceopathic Mesas, was Wooed In the
• • year 1839 to tura his attention to this subject, and at length
I succeeded, with the outshines of elaborate machinery. In being
• the first to produce an article pare In its composition. and so
refined by the perfect trituration It maims is the promss it
owes through. as to be most acceptable to the delicate stomach.
roe general use Epps Cocoa is disUngaished as an invigorating,
• grateful breakfast beverage,peasesalng a moat delcious aroma.
• Dr Serail. in his work, l•Adulterations of Food,' says :-
1 Cocoa contains a great variety of important nutritive princi-
ples—every ing eitient necessary to the growth and sustenance
' of the body." Again As a nutgitivc mum stands very much
• higher then either coffee or tea." Directions—Two teaspoonfuls
of M• powder in a breakfast caw ailed rep with boiling water
• or milk. Sold la tia-thoed klb., Vb.. nod fib. kW_ lial yeasts, by
gravers, osateetionea. sol eboabOo—ledverMessasskj

THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING,
_ .
place it by his sardonic familiar. Ginger beer and , LAW INTELLIGENCE.
unripe plums were the first refreshments indulged
in by the particular party we made it"ourbusiness.; • -- 6tEr24P2LITAI4 cot sir c°Vails•
sutiag est
to study. These were obtained tuntr the shadow wEeriu.,.srxti Tuesssd roe tearZlept. ; Wadnes-
of the beforementionesl poster, and were partaken dim 16 Thursday. is
of with exceeding relish by some iodise, whose grief Sorynw
Iri[sarrr,,Sasa-streetamberwsll i;Thw.mangay. .11•14, 16. :15.71,digi
Pd-
had just been so exceptionally demonstrative say, is.
as to attach many of the curious to their I ki,„l,7=l:l=l:etteptti,
train. They occupied one of those horrible WAlnew.,Rlll.—Wedne•aay, Sept. 14, Thursday, Is
conveyances wherein the coffin is placed in Cr2_! OF LoNDO4, Oundil4ll-bundingL—Wedusidal. Sept. ;
a sort of elongated boot, and the mourners sit with Thursday,
their feet on their dead friend's body, and were soon
joined by a select party of eleven in a four-wheel
cab. There were two females without bonnets,
one of whom sat facing the coach window like the
Lord Mayor in Hogarth's "Industrious Appren-
tice ;" two men and one woman in the back seat,
two in the front, two on the box besides the driver,
and two sprawled full length upon the roof. This
was simply a duplicate of at least twenty other cabs
carverile, down the road, as if from a twentieth
rue
Derby day, and it was pleasant to find from
the smart interchange of talk that, despite the
harrowing display of some twenty minutes since,
there was no immediate probability of the sorrow
felt by these impulsive creatures impelling them
to any rash deed. Tankards of ale followed at the
'Jest public-house, and we left them sharing a hot
white fluid, wherein lemon peel played
prominent part, laughing cheerily and gazing out
of the windows of their black caravan with highly
inflammatory countenances and convivial eyes,
and saying as distinctly as was possible without
putting the sentiment into words, • We are under
present circumstances, entitled to the admiration,
attention, and sympathy of lookers-on, but worlds
would not tempt us to appear proud." Now we
sec why so many people in colours attended the
Cemetery, and the long string lof cabs is fully ex-
plained. Little parties are made up, the dwellers
in the house of mourning make their temporary
resting-place oneof hospitable jollity; and bangers-
on and acquaintances are thoroughly welcome to
bit and sup; the announcement of tea, 9d.;
hot water, 2d.—reminding the reader of Tea-
pot-row, Greenwich—from wayside cottages, is
mainly due to the craving for food which
absorbing grief seems to bring about. The
fruit stalls, the sweet cake venders, thespian shops,
and the costermongers, date their presence here to a
like cause, and are all very busy, and no public-
house on the road can complain of lack of custom.
The windows of such private residences as do not
aspire to gentility show people of both sexes looking
out for the fun, just as the young ladies' schools are
privileged to gaze at the return from Epsom on one
day in the year. Here, however, the same eights
nisy be seen weekly, and though highly edifying as
proofs of the consoling influence of Time, it may
be that to non-trading inhabitants the proceedings
may occasionally savour of monotony, and the
" coming home from the funeral " seems
to lack dignity and point. As time pro-
gresses the merriment becomes more pronounced.
The boys playing on the banks of the muddy canal,
which has been so often compared to the Styx, run
after the coaches and receive donations of apples
and nuts in return for their cheers ; humorous
pedestrians wave hands and handkerchiefs, and are
promptly greeted in return ; everybody talks at
once in the vehicles, and the quiet Sunday strollers
stand aghast as the noisy crew roll by. The so-
called • waiting-room foripassengers" of the pretty
little inn becomes a mere receptacle for undertakers'
men and ex-mourners ; the people who drove off
half an hour ago return avowedly to "look for
something," really to lengthen their ride,-and have
more liquor ' • heads are wagged with profound
meaning, and opinions interchanged with tipsy
gravity. An occasional " Ah, poor dear,"
from the old lady with closed eyes and open
mouth yonder is the only remark which can pos-
sibly apply to the departed, and even this is
doubtful, for the head wags to and fro with an ex-
pression far more maudlin and self-pitying than
decorously sorrowful, and so evening passes into
night, sitters retire from the windows, lights are
seen flitting to and fro in the upper stories of the
houses, vague inquiries are heard as to the time of
the " last bus," and here and there the dusty road
is dotted with homeward-returning, crowded black
coaches, looking like so many overgorged leeches,
which, after having dropped from the Cemetery, are
blindly and vaguely wandering towards town.