Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1859-10-26
DEATH. FUNERAL. AND BURIAL OF TIE HoS.

M hlAlAL vi HI HON.
JOHN Y. MASON Al PARIS.
"A letter irom Paris dated October 9Th, describes the
Hon John \ Aasons sudden death. as follows:
lou VIII have already heard of the sudden death of
the american Minister at Paris, the Hon. John Y. Mason
Mr.. Mason bad never recovered from his first attach of
apopieNy, which occurred four years ago. and which then
came near terminating his life. Animeompletep paralysis
OF the lett side remained a. a result OF the first ATTACH
Out so entirely had his health OF mind and body been re-
s'o,ed IN o'hes respects. there Is reason to believe he
looked forward to a prolonged life. and was far from an
tcipanng so early and so sudden a death. To all, how.
ever, who knew the impiacable character of the diseas.
and Its tendency to a surer and more fatal return, the sad
event was scarcely a surprise. Thus, without the slight.
est premonition, aud in a state Of perfect health, was IN,
deceased visited with the last fearful stroke. He retired
of visitors who had dincd al his house and in his psrcS,
health. At one o'clock in the morning Mrs. Mason heard
an unusual noise in her husbands room, and approaching
ms bedside found him In couvulions and unconscious
He remained in this condition until he died. eight hour
later, suffering intensely, though unconscious of surround.
ding objects. Several physicians were at his bedside, but
they were unable to give any relief
The body of the deceased has been esbalmed and will
be taken home. IL was buried here Professionally, how
ever, IN a vault of the American Chapel, in the Rue de
berri: The funeral ceremony took place yesterday at
the Chapel, and was attended by a large number of Anne
ricans, by members OF the Government, OF the diploma.
tic corps and by all those, in fine, who had learned by a
personal association to esteem the superior talent and the
kindly qualities Of heart OF the deceased. Mr.. Anderson.
OF Virginia, who married, q month ago. one of the Misses
Mason, Is, happily, still In Paris, and will take charge of
the ismily. He has written home TO the elder son of the
deceased that he need not come out, as he will charge
himself with the duty of settling up the affairs and the
bringing home Of the family. Mr.. Mason leaves a widow
and ten children. OF the latter four are married. A
married and unmarried son. and two married daughters
live in Virginia. Mrs. Anderson, three unmarried daurh.
tiers between the ages of sixteen and twenty, and two
sons, under fifteen. are in Paris.
The Government sent TO the funeral a detachment of
29u soldiers OF the 2Sth Regiment fthe Line. command
ed by a Chief of Battalion. Soldiers were placed up and
down the alies OF the church during the service, aud
each time the congregation rose to sing, the captains
voice was heard over al, shouting to his men, " shoulder
armsV And again, as the HYMN ceased, and the coucre.
CATION sat down, Ground srms,n was heard. and the
muskets came down on the stone floor with n simultanc.
Gus clang that startled the audience, and rang through
the Nauted roof with more effect than the deem notes of
the organ. This novel method ofincreasing the solemni.
ties OF a funeral occasion broke in Singularly upon the
previous habits Of the American par, of the Congrepn.
ton, or at least that part of it not accustomed 10 seeing
funerals OF high official persons in France. Thisis. how.
ever, the French method OF showing honor to the dead
and must be received a. a compliment, homogeneous and
inappropriate as it appears.
During the course of the funeral sermon, the Rev. Nj.
Seely mentioned, among other things, that al the mo-
ment OF his death, the hmented deceased was neroti,.
ting very important mmercia treaty with France
IL Is, indeed, TO be much regretted that his life was mo,
spared In order TO accomplish this important work. for
certainly no man in the United States is more competent
Tor such a work than was the deceased. His long occu.
patton OF the Navy Department, a natural inclination TO
the study OF commercial Affairs and a remarkable clear.
hcadedncss on every subject to which he applieJ bimssls
offered a sure guarantee that the forthcoming treaty
would have added honor TO his name and wealth TO hi
country. The great need of placing the commercial re-
IaIions oil the two countries on . better footing has long
been ielt, and 1t Is to be hoped that the Government in
looking about for a successor to Mr.. Mason will NOT Tor.
ed capable of completing il. II is. undoubtedly the most
important work he will have to do.