The Sun.
London, England, 1868-08-25 00:00:00

(01.;:gg, S

LONDON, TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1868.

The sad accident at,Abergele continues to occupy
attention, and to form the chief topic of conversa-
tion in all circles. Many lessons of the uncertainty
of life, and the chances and changes of this mortal
scene, may be learned from this sudden and striking
calamity. On Sunday the Rev. Dr. TAYLOR, of
Liverpool, preached in the church which contains
the bodies a sermon most appropriate to the Oen-
sion. He took for his text the solemn words "Be
ye also ready, for in such au hour as ye think not
the Son of Man cometh." Of course, no better
proof of the shortness and uncertainty of life could
be given than was afforded by the awful spectacle of
the bodies on waiting interment, but the eloquent
language of the preacher was most impressive.
This morning the sad ceremony was to take place,
and the grave will contain the remains of those who
were stricken down so suddenly, and shared the
same frightful end together. The idea that sug-
gested itself to the rector, the Rev. J. MEREDITH,
that they should be placed in one sepulchre, was a
natural one, and it h well that it has been adopted,
as it is the best thing to do under the circum-
stances of the case. A curious sight is that which
the quiet precincts cf Abergele and its vicinity now
present. They are crowded to excesa, and around
the grave may be seen those of all conditions, for
the most part strangers to each other, but united
by a common interest in the dreadful scene before
them, and the sad fate that has overtaken the de-
parted. Truth, it has been well said, i, stranger
than fiction, and imagination could invent nothing
so impressive, or fancy depict a more solemn
scene than that which takes place in the distant
scene of the accident. Thirty-three men, women,
and children are to lie side by side, with no dis-
tinction of rank, and with nothing to distinguish
the coffins that enclose them. It has truly been
said—

"Earth's highest title ends in here he lies,
And dust to dust concludes her noblest song ;"
But how seldom is this fully realized amid the cir-
cumstances that separate the various classes of so-
ciety, and seem to overstep the confines of the
grave itself. Ilere, at least, is an exception to the
rule, and as these unfortunate victims of the acci-
dent were suddenly called to their account at the
same moment, they are fittingly placed together in
that bourne from whence no traveller returns.

The inquest was opened yesterday at twelve
o'clock, and at first the proceedings took place in
the hotel, but it was found necessary to adjourn to
the Town-hall. Lord FARNHAM, and two other
brothers of the late lord, with numerous friends and
relatives of the deceased, appeared to watch the pro-
ceedings, and solicitors and others on behalf of the
railway company and those interested in the affair
were also present. In each case the description of
the dead was that of the " body of a person un-
known." The Coroner, in an impressive address,
declared that no jury had ever had to enter on a
more " melancholy inquiry." He also added very
truly that the interest of the public made their
task one of great importance. The ceremony of
inspecting the bodies was so painful that almost
every one gave it up except the jury before the dis-
mal round had been got through. Some dissatisfaction
was expressed at the notion of putting off the in-
terment until after Thursday, and a meeting of the
relatives of the departed took place to protest
against it. Their desire that the funeral should be
performed to-day was ultimately agreed to, and
this is better in every respect, as it could only be
very painful to delay it longer, besides answering
no definite end. Seldom, if ever, have survivors
been called upon to perform the office of burying
their dead under more heartrending circumstances
than the mourners at the grave to-day, but they
may feel assured that the sympathy of the whole
country will be theirs.