The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-03-20

Boston.
ICorrspondence of the HERALD
BosroN, March 7, 1872.
Irish Wake-Ihe Spree-Rslgion, &c.


BosroN, March z, 1912.
Irish Hake-Ihe Spee-Rsigiom, &c.
My DEAR SIR:-
Agreeably to my promise, will attempt faint
discriptionlof the wake" alluded to in nv last
letter. Time will not permit me to give full &C.
count Of it, and the size Of my Sheet and the value
of the space in your columns likewise, suggest The
propriety Of making it short.
II is the custom with the Irish, on the death of
relative, to have "wake." As soon a. the per.
son is dead, or as soon as is convenient, the body
is placed upon table, covered with sheets. and ON
thelable, beside the body, are placed six candles.
Oae or two of these candles lighted in the day
time, and in the evening the whole are burning.
All the friends and relatives Of the deceased are
notified, as soon as the person dies of the fact,
without any particular invitation, but which is
generally understood invitation to be ORE sent
On entering the ro0m is struck with the novel;
~ OF having burning candles placed by the side Of
dead body, but the soIemnity Of the occasion
drives such feelings from ones mind.
received my invitation in q regular form, being
on intimate terms with the family, without being
Of their coantry. As entered the room, found
quite number Of friends csllected together, some
weeping, others talking and some doing nothing
1t was q scene never before witnessed, and one
which struck me as altogether superfuous. Those
who collect together, enjoy themselves in any way
they may think preper but nothing indecorous is
| allowed in the room containing the BODY Other
| rooms were furnished for those who were disposed
TO 90 into them. where refreshments provided.
This wake continues three nights. or till the de-,
ceased 10 barred.
After waiting about an hour, listening to the
stories told of the deceased, and his many eceen-
tricities, left the room deeply impressed with the
| solemnity of funeral. Having received an invi-
ta.ion to attend the" Spree that generally takes
place on the evening OF the funeral, at another
house, went home to gain sufficient sleep 10 allow
me to attend. The isPress are often kept up all
Ix..~ onl nj az sAra-- c-I
They were not Of the lower class of lrishmen but
men of wealth and standing.
At the appointed hour, ! managed to absent N.Y.
self unknown to my friends, and: directed nv
steps towards the house Of Michael c., where I
arrived Just in time to be introduced to q GENTLE
man Of the prcfession, distinguished for his fun
and good humsr anticipated an evening OF Nd.
common pleasure, and assure you, that was not
mistaken. Among the guests present, noticedlB.
F. Ell ~, r. OC.,P D., and several of our most
distinguished " sons Of Erin"
lect and respectable. Ample justice was done the
supper, and the despatch used in annihilating all
that on the table, spoke much in favor Of their
appetites. After the cloth was removed, speeches,
| songs, and toasts were offered, and happily re-
ceived. Notwithstanding the rapid strides tsete-
talism is making in this city, the bottle passed
with equal rapidity, and ele morning dawned, not
went home sober. il mostly owing to the effect
of that evening, that assign my inability to give
you better description Of it. You, unquestioAa-
Oily, KNOW the Ieeln&5 Oi one aUeT = WnOle nlERt8
ca, ousal, over brandy bottles, champagne, and
whskey, and TO be compelled to attend to business
the next day. Some of the speeches intend to
write out, which, if done correctly, will afford
some amusement 10 the readers Of your excellent
paper l will postpone any further remarks on this
subject at present, and pass to the Of the week
Nothing has yet been heard Of the missing
steamship, which has possibly put back to Eng
land. She may, however, be numbered among the
things that were.
The religious excitement in this city, created by
the preaching Of Elder Knapp, continues with un-
abatt interest The churches are receiving great
additions, and undoubtedly his Satanic Majesty
begins to think his forresses in danger Singular
may appear, il is NO less true that several of
the orthodox denomination are becoming converts
70 the doctrine of immersiop sud already has one
OF the divines of that persuasion been baptised BY
Mr. Knapp. Several Others are about coming
| over. Yesterday Sunday nearly 400 were ad.
mitted into the different churches in the city, be-
ing converts within the last month.
These " Harrison tines proves very poor me-
dicine to business men, if we can judge from the
number of failures daily taking place. This city
has scarcely witnessed such crippled state Of bu
sness as she now experiences. Within the last
week, more than dozen Of our heaviest firms have
stopped payment, and gone by the board"
The city and its vicinity 10 unusually sickly-
Not for number of years have we known such a
sickiy season. Our streets are literally crowded
with funeral professions.
Hoping for your worldly success, and heavenly
prosperity, remain, faithfully yours,
CHRoNIcLHR.