The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-07-18
INTELLIGENCE 81 THE MAILS.
Cur Washington Correspondence.

Funeral of Mrs. ID. p. Madison, Reject of the
Late Err President Madison.
The body of this distinguished lady, was, on
Saturday, placed in one OF Messrs. Fisk and Ray
mond's patent metallic collins, bronzed, with a
glass inserted, through which could be seen the
face OF the deceased, apparently twenty years
younger than when infused with vitality few
flowers were srewn upon this receptacle Of the
dead-sweet, yet striking emblems of frail NOR
tally. On Sunday. young and old, of both sexes,
visited the late residence OF Mrs. Madison to be-
hold the face over which the veil was soon to be
closed forever To-day, the was opened,
with view TO an embalmng process ond the
corpse, at eleven O'Clock, was conveyed TO ST.
Johns Church, In the same neighborhood, and
there placed on pedestal In front of the rector's
desk, within the altar. Hundreds ef ladies' and
gentlemen, who desired to see the rigid features,
were disappointed, aad they contened themselves
with gazing the silver plate which concealed
the lace, on which was an inscription OF her name,
Dolly Payne Madison"
Belore the time designated for the funeral, par
hcqlar spectators were admitted into the church,
aud occupied the places especially reserved for
them by the Judlclous committee of arrangements.
We noticed, on the front pew, in the centre sit
ting either side of the United States District
Attorney, Mr.. Gales, of the inteLtigcncer, and Mr.
Richie, of the Union. They were two of the
pall:bearers, and had previously shaken hands, as
Christian people ought 10 do, when they meet in
church. The others assigned TO thus post of no.
nor were the Hon. J. n Clayton, General Jesup,
Conmodore Morris, General Henderson, General
Walter Jones, the Hon. w. Nj. Meredith,
General Touen, Commodore Warrington, Gin uni
form) Mr.. Stephen Pleasinton, one of the Auditors,
and Mr.. Fendull Ia the of these gentlemen
sat the family OF the deceased, at the head of
which was Or. Payne Todd, her son; at his side,
Miss Payne, her niece, both OF them belonging to
her immediate household; and, in the same pew,
were other sorrowlng relatives. The President OF
the Unled States SAT further up IN the church, in
company with Mr.. Preston, the Secretary of the
Navy. The members of the cabinet were not all
together on this occasion. Several only OF the
diplomatic corps, members OF the Senate and
House OF Represe natives, and their officers, and
Judges OF the Courts were present; and, with but
two or three exceptions, the officers OF the army
and navy were not in uniform. The Mayor and
Corporation OF Washington, gentlemen employed
IN the civil departments OF the government, and
citizens and strangers, occupied the remaining
seats. The galleries of the beautiful ediGce were
densely filed with spectators including no small
number OF the colored race.
piaintlve air on the organ, after the congrc-
CATION had quoted reminded them of the soem-
nty OF the occasions, and the Rev; Smith Pyne,
the recter, assisted by the Rev. G.. w. French,
appeared, and, together, read the service observed
In the Protestant Episcopal Church, on funeral
occasions. The hymn, "I'he Diving Christian"
after prayer, Mr., Pyne, standing near the coffin,
delivered brief, and peculiarly appropriate ad-
dress Oniitng detail of the genealogy OF the
deceased, he said, among other things, that four
and, though then an aged woman, she was but a
babe in Christ. short time afterwards she
knelt again at The same altar, received the
holy rite Of continuation, and partook of the
that bathed her brow with the pure, refreshing
waters from the f. ain OF the celestial city, was
soon to sprinkle q dir upon her coffin, pronounce
ing"ashe. to ashe dust 10 dust" She was great
relic OF great TIM, and great generation Born
: mcng Quakers, she retained naturally much of
the character OF tle sect for dignity and SIM
plcity, which graced her actions. Great were
the results of the Revolution, all know how little
religion was at one time regarded. The tone OF
society is now religious, but then it was the re-
verse and especially IN Virginia were realized
the Most High. Owing TO the uniavorable cir
cumstances which surrounded Mrs: Madison,
much may be pardoned IN her earlier life and we
should ." honor her for what she kept, and COM
mlserate her for what che left" In conversation
with the minister on the subject of the visible
forms of the church, and the means of grace, she
these things; fear that cannot yield my assent
TO the extent which you desire but 1t is not easy
to divest ourselves OF early habits. ! want to do
what is right; am willing, most willing, to be di-
rected." And meek did she appear--so guile
less-that he was reminded Of the little child whom
Jesus set in the midst Of the disciples, when he
told them that unless they became like il they
could not inherit the kingdom of heaven. In her
aud, though, in her weakness, she appeared indlf-
iefent to every Other name, that of Jesus engaged
her attention. and was music to her ear, and Joy
TO her soul. He, loving he art could not then-can-
not now-be far from God for he that dwelleth
in love dwelleth in God, and God in him /"
. The above Is merely hasiy sketch Of the adj
dress, at the conclusion OF which there
prayer
The coffin was conveyed to the hearse by eight
marines, (rom the garrison) dressed in white.
They who were publicly designated as pall-bearers
took no part in this proceeding.
There were iorty-eight carriages, publ c and prl-
vac, and the occupants took their places IN accord
nnce with the programme. One hack was appro.
priated 10 the colored domestics Of the household
of the deceased. As the cortege moved, thousands
Of our populace lined the sidewalks and appeared
III the windows, the bell Of ST. JONAS tolling mean
" bile, IN respect 10 the honorcd dead
Ii thosld have been mentioned that few OF our
oldett citizens, who had Intimately known Mrs.
Madison for half century, although bent with age
and fast sinking into the tomb taxed their strength
10 be present on the mournful occasion.
The body 81 the deceased was deposited in vault
ut the Congressional Buryng Ground where Il will
remain until autumn, and then b. removed to Mont
peler, TO be deposited close TO the sleeping dust Of
her husband.
Thus has passed away a kind and hospitabc
dweller in our midst, one who graced the refined
circles, who lent charm to the community in
which che moved, and whose demise has caused
general regret in this metropolis Peace, peace,
10 "the great relic Of great age, and great gcne-
ration ~ @.