Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-03-18
THE pIsINTERMENT-A SKETCH.

THE DISINTERMENT-A SKETCH.
On fine day in the month of June, a funeral
PROCESSION issued from the participates ofWood-
Iev.Hall. in the county Of Gloucester The
moor inhabitants Of the neighbouring village
hoyered abou, the train with mute reverence;
having the last sad testimony of respect and al
fsc,ion 10 one, who had been endeared 10 them
by many acts Of kindness, and solicitude. They
were following to its cold home the corpse OF
Eliza. wife of Sir William Fanshaw.
Never was there lovelier summer-day than
The one amounted for this dismal ceremony
THE streets looked proudly in the lustiness OF
their Young green; the dark blue sky was un-
sno,ted by single cloud; and the sun shot out
in its sultry strength, making the birds wanton
and noisy with the exuberance OF their Joy.
Alas, what was all this glory OF nature to
the sad company who were moving along the
road. thinking Of the tomb, and the premature
death ofthat Young, beautiful, and virtuous one
whom they were conveying thither! How
could they enjoy the quick carols OF the birds,
when the death-bell gaining in strength as they
nroceeded, smote their ears and startled their
secret sorrowing with its measured and obstl-
nate recurrence? The glad colour OF the glass
and of the leaves, was not in harmony with
their mourning garments; and the vital sun
,conld scarcely be reioiced in, shining as 1t did
on their tears, and on that dark, slow moving
hearse.
The service orthe burial of the dead, is not
easily endured bv even an unconnected auditor;
so oppressive is the obscure and gloomy imagl-
nation in which il is written. What then must
oor mourners have felt (their loss being unex-
nected and sorely afflcting) when the priest,
meeting the dull coffin at the Church porch,
walked on before it repeating his solemn words!
Then the agony of grief burst forth in sobs *
mysteries, then did the dreary thought ARISE,
tba, there was nothing but corruption and NOR
LITIGATION In the world.
But we are slaves Of circumstances:-for
these ideas, which seem to lie down lmmovea-
blv in despair were soon lifted into happy as
n;rations on the swell of the organs sound; and
the cottagers, who stood moodily In the church
ward while the service continued, were also re-
iieved by the music, and blest as 1t trem6led
out into the sunny AIR.
When the lady Of whom write, was strlck-
IN with illness, which was only week before
her death, she begged her husband to bring
her the gold chain and locket enclosing his
hair. which he had given her before their mar
r;ape. This she hung, around her neck, and
eolsc.d her weary and painful hours with con-
templa,ing it, and by force OF the association OF
ideas il excited, living again in times gone oy
One evening she beckoned 10 Sir William, who
v.s sitting in her chamber, to her side, ana
s.;d.-sReach me your hand, my dear husband,
7 am growing much worse. feel a perilous
sinking in my frame, s. death is in my thoughts.
Jf this be nothing more than womanly tlmidlty,
hearwitb il. dearest, for my sake, and give me
conraqe by STAYING by my side through the
night" r., -. h,s
hand This weakness is common enough
Won will be better in the morning and in the
mean time shall not stir from your bed
Won will talk TO me in a different manner, when
after you<saye had good sleep, shall show
Won the cheerful sunlight stealing on the dawn
see now even your eyes are closing, compose
Yourself therefore, dear one, aud sleep
The chamber was hushed the patient lay
still. and seemed in so profound repose that
her breathing was not heard The curtains
were softly adjusted around her bed, and Sir
William happy and full Of favorable omens In
The idea that his wife had at length remission
of main. took book, and, fixing as much at
,ent;on on il as he could command, wore the
n;oht hours away. Every thing within and
without continued in deep stiffness, broken on
" towards the morning by the pleasing sounds
Of awakening nature, which might be heard IN
60 removed place-the shrill birds, the wheel
inc hum of bees darling from their hive IN the
Garden below, and the leaves dallying with the
morning breath. These together with the
strong white linens which intersected the shut
tiers, admonished Sir William and the nurse OF
the time their patient had slept. The light
was therefore admitted into the room, and they
looked into the bed.
"How is this" said Sir William. "She has
not moved hairs breadth since we saw her
las, night. Good God! how pale her face
and lips are! Heaven grant all may be well; but
I,remble under my fears. Go instantly, and
bring the Physician.
The Physician came; he was alarmed at the
appearance; a feather was placed OH her lips,
and Sir William bent with keen eyes over it,
+, did not move. Alas! alas! her spirit has
nassed away, while her husband, setting close
70 her, was congratulating himself on the pros
meet Of her recovery.
She mus, have stirred once in the night
,houyb i was done with such gen,leness as not
70 be perceived, for one of her hands was found
inside her garment pressing the locket, OF which
] have spoken, on her naked breast