The Sun.
London, England, 1852-11-19 00:00:00

2 0 0
1 11 6

ing up, and in the course of the next half hour the neigh-
bourhood of Temple-bar became literally impassable.
Where the line of carriages terminated it is impossible to
say, but by a sensible regulation of the only one line
of carriages was permitted to pass along the Strand beyond
Northumberland-house. In Trafalgar-square, Pall-mall,
the pavement appeared to be bursting, while the carriage-
road was completely blocked up with every description of
conveyance, from the mounted chariot to the, humble street
cab. Glorious and magnificent as the procession undoubt-
edly was, perhaps the grandest sight and the most
startling feature of the day was the wonderful collection of
people concentrated in the space lying between Ludgate-
hill and Hyde-park corner. Every window was ten-
anted—every available nook or corner was seized upon—
every house-top groaned under the weight of people anx-
ious to get a view, and each brick, as it were, was con-
cealed by a gentleman's coat or a lady's dress.

" From the casements
And houses tops, rank behind rank close wedged
Hang bellying o'er."

How they kept together is a mystery, but patience and
sagacity overcame all obstacles, and the procession, when it
arrived repaid all for the anxiety and inconvenience that
had been previously suffered. It was physically impossi-
ble to collect anything like detailed intelligence
in a brief space of the sayings or doings of the hordes of
people collected in the metropolis this day. Suffice it, hew-
ever, to say, that while each individupl appeared to feel
and appreciate the solemnity of the occasion, every person
almost exhibited some sign of mourning appropriate to the
bEitedmet,eronHvallery-7theell-aorrnlayngoende
dwraepeharyve,
ttdhiameyematiidto_specthiefym—aenxiii.

" Nee sibi sed patrim,"
a motto well worthy of the hero of a hundred fights, and
of a man who, in his lifetime, was the personification of
individual duty to his Sovereign and his country.

THE FORMATION OF THE PROCESSION.
Having disposed of the line of route, as it appeared be.
fore it was passed by the procession, we approach now the

difficult task of reporting the formation of the procession,
as it took place on the Parade-ground in front of the Horse
Guards. We regret to say that at this portion of our duty
wo encountered considerable obstruction on the part of the
police ; but as the personal inconvenience of a reporter can
possess no interest for the public, we pass on at once to
the proceedings in St._James's-park. The Parade-ground
presented a striking appearance at daybreak, and to a
person who had just quitted the scene and excitement
of the Strand the quietude of the enclosure must have been,
as it was to us, singularly impressive. When we got in,
which, by the way, was accomplished by stratagem, w©
could see the military, formed in squares, covering the
whole of the parade ground, while not a soul but ourselves
was moving within the *as. At some distance in front,
and above the shakos of the troops, appeared conspicuous
the huge tent that covered the funeral car of the departed
hero, which had been removed fro%i. Chelsea Hospital
between eleven and twelve o'clock the night preceding.

Before daybreak, in accordance with the arrangements ,
of the programme, and with the terms of the general or-
ders
issued, the troops appointed to take part in the funeral 11
had begun to muster in St. James'-park, in the Mall, and 1),
on the parade ground behind the Horse Guards. The
coaches also, which were to join in the procession, were •
assembled there, and within a spacious tent workmen of
all kinds, who had toiled incessantly the whole night
through, were busily engaged in completing the decorations 4
of the funeral car. Day had broken heavily, the wind ,it
being loaded with moisture, the sky threatening-looking, •
and it was as cold and cheerless a morning as could well be
conceived. On the left side of the parade facing towards
the Horse Guards, were stationed the Rifles, their sombre 1
uniforms harmonising with the occasion. The first bat-
talon is at present on service at the Cape, and on the 2d
battalion, therefore, devolved the honour of represent-
ing the corps at the Duke's funeral. Looking
to the right, the eye rested next, through the grey morn-
ing, on the Ist battalion of Royal Marines and the 33d
Regiment, drawn up in column directly opposite the
Horse Guards. To the right of these were the Fusilier, ,
Coldstream, and Grenadier guards, the whole force form-
ing
an imposing array to British eyes, though small in
comparison with Continental musters. At the east end of l''
the Mall might be observed the head of the cavalry force, 1
comprising eight squadrons from the most distinguished 1
regiments in the service. There were the 17th Lancers, i
the 13th Light Dragoons, the Bth Hussars, the Scots :1
Greys, the 6th Dragoon Guards, the Blues, and the 1
Ist and 2d Life Guards, and gallant and splendid ,
they looked on a closer survey, as, drawn up ,
with military precision, they awaited the signal 1
to start. It was of course, impossible, except ' I
from a housetop, to take in at one view all the ~1
troops upon the ground and standing at the Horse -',
Guards. The infantry formed the most striking feature of
the spectacle—their standards covered with crape drooping ;
heavily, and swayed about occasionally by the bearers, •
while the morning light glimmered faintly upon the serried ,
rows of bayonets. As the morning advanced a brilliant , I
muster of officers gathered near the gateway of the Horse ;
..Guards, some. intent on having a good view of the funeral
car, which was a great object of attraction, while others
issued orders or made inquiries with reference to the pro-
cession.
Lord Hardinge appeared at half-past 7 o'clock,
and his presence greatly accelerated the preparations.
The coffin was removed from the chamber in which it had
rested during the night, and by the aid of machinery I
was raised to its position on the lofty summit of the car.
which formed by far the most magnificent and interesting '
feature of the procession ; and some account of its general
design and most prominent details will not be out of plaee.
The whole lower part is of bronze, supported on six wheels,
and elaborated with an amount of skill and artistic feeling
which deserves unqualified praise. Above this metallic 1
frame-work rises a rich pediment of gilding, in the panels of ',l
which the following list of victories is inscribed :—Ahmed- > 1
nugger, Assaye, Argaum, Gavilghttr, Roleia, Vimiera, 1
Duoro and Oporto, Talavera, Busaco, Torres Vedras, .1
Fuentes d'Onor, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajos, Salamanca, Vit- 1
toria, Pampeluna, Pyrenees, St. Sebastian, Nivelle, Nivo,
Orthes, Toulouse, Quatre Bras, Waterloo. On the sides of i
this pediment were arranged lofty trophies of arms, includ- 1
lag spears, muskets, bayonets, swords, and flags,
and surmounted by the ducal soronet and batons. '
A similar trophy stood in front, rising behind the 1. ',
arms of the deceased, cast in bronze, and surmounted by
his heraldic badges and honours, including the tabard I
magnificently wrought and embroidered. Over the bier .'
and its bearers, the gilded handles of which protruded from
beneath, was arranged the sumptuous velvet pall, powdered
with silver embroidery, bordered with laurels in silver,
and showing the legend round it, " Blessed are the dead 1
that die in the Lord," and terminated by a magnificent
fringe of silver two feet deep. The coffin, with the Duke's
hat and sword resting on it, surmounted the brier, and
from four great halberts rising at each corner was suspended '
a magnificent canopy, with pendent cords anct tassels of
the richest and most costly description. To this gigantic
vehicle, 27 feet long, 10 feet broad, 17 feet high, and weigh-
ing from 10 to 11 tons, 12 of the largest and finest black a
horses that could be procured were harnessed three
abreast. They were completely covered with velvet
housings, having the arms of the deceased splendidly
embroidered on them, and with heads surmounted
.by nodding plumes they looked quite elephantine.
Such is a hasty description of the Car ; but, though brief, it
may be relied upon for its aecuracy. Proceed we now to I,
give an outline of the military movements of the funera l 4!
cortege. Precisely as the chimes rung out the quarter be_ . ,s,
fore eight, the distant roar of cannon announced
that the procession was about to form, and as the
clock struck eight, the hangings of the tent suddenly
vanished and exposed the Car, which we have already at
tempted to describe. It was surrounded by lighted tapers,
and stalwart guardians leaning on their
if revenrseelectricsm.o o
sooner was the Car visible, than, as by a
ue 1. presented ye.
eidndcumsSaul, fol-
lowed - J
3,,,a,,t th....Ardhled troon¢ ginaelta--°L
spectators. arms,
which had a thrilling effect upon the
.ct attriclisiove. 'll
theby
Tilis
by wasth the succeededmu sic o fthe„ earodll omfamrcuhffi"
ment was certainly one of . . striking
ceremonial, and the effect of it will long be re-
nounced that the processiolheamdosetomimmpernescseidv
featuresin the
ultitudes who, from every •
membered by the multitudes . window, !
platform, ..,
balcony, and housetop overlooking the park.
hakeview of the spectacle.
plan on which the order of procession was arranged 1
is worthy of some notice, the more so as it indiestes4
praiseworthy desire on the part of Herald's College t '
follow in these matters the spirit of the age, to which '
heraldry, like everything else, must sooner or later conform.
To stamp the funeral with a military characterAthe troops
led the way, the regiments of which the Duke was colonel
having precedence. All branches of the service—infantry,
cavalry, and artillery—were represented, to show the full
scope of the Commander-in-Chief s office and a Field Mar-
shal's dignity. The veteran character of the deceased—
his experience in war, and the length of days with whi&i
he had been blessed, notwithstanding its risks, are the next
points illustrated, and to realise these to the mind, the 83 .
Chelsea pensioners, the enrolled pensioners, and the corps
made up of single soldiers from every regiment in the ser-
vice, took part in the procession. The. East India Com-
pany's army was also represented,
to show the wideness of
the sphere to which the Duke's services had extended
and to recal the memory of those famous eastern fields
on which he won his earliest laurels. From the remi-
niscences of his military career the symbolical sig-
nificance of the funeral programme turns to less
obtrusive, but hardly less interesting points. From
his relations with his domestics to those arising out of pub-
lic appointments, and connecting him with public bodies,
the order of precedence rises, until at last the train that
greatest names in
btheaerBSthiatme, ththethQeutheemnbailsonswe eellxecedpbtyedth. e This was the least
telling part of the procession as a spectacle, though the
most remarkable as a tribute to the greatness of the man.
The me fn coaches prepared for the occasion, and the
carriages of our great nobles and men of highest mark and
consequence, are certainly objects worth looking at, bat
they do not strike the eye like a brilliant line of cavalry,
and even the ponderous vehicle which bears the burden of
civic majesty had its gilded glories eclipsed by the su-
perior attractions of the military, pageant. The long list