The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-27
Funeral OF the King of Prussia.


The mortal remains of the late King Of Prussia were
consigned to the grave at Potsdam, on Monday last,
when in conformity with the orders Of the present King
the ceremonial observed in accordance with that
used at the ntement Of the father OF the deceased King
Frederic William ILL.,
AS the Church Of Peace wherein the vault is situated
is only about ten minutes walk from the palace but lit
tie space was afforded the mmodaton OF the popu
lace who Notwithstanding the severe weather
bed in very large numbers especially from Berlin which
is seventeen miles from Potsdam Long before the hour
fixed for the commencement of the ceremony, the road
along which the procession 10 pass and which was
strewed with branches of fir lined by the popu
lace. In front of the houses along the line OF route
stands erected, from which the occupants could
witness the cortege and from these houses well from
the houses in the town. mourning banners were sus
pended The troops ordered on duty for the day
took up their position long before nine O'Clock.
The Seventh bat talion of infantry, who were to form
part of the procession stationed in the neghbor
hood Of the palace while the Seventh squadron of cavalry
were posted near The other troops formed line the
left hand from Sans Souc to the church. but the other
side OF the road was devoted entirely to the ue of the
public These troops consisted Of guards inf ntry and
cavalry and parties OF artillery with sixteen guns
ranged from the obesk to the gates of Sans Souc The
troops in parade uniform but by the considerable
orethough of the King they allowed to their
cloaks, protection from the weather much
the helmets of the officers covered with era pc,
whilst the Colos, standards, drums and trumpets
similarly enveloped Although the commencement Of
the ceremony fixed for eleven o'clock those intend
ed to take part in the proceedings requested be
in attendance between nine and ten but in consequence
Of The extraordinary demands made upon the re
of The Potsdam railway some delay took place and strict
punctuaty could not be observed in this particular
many persons OF distinction could not arrive at Sans
Souci before eleven o'clock.
AT ten O'Clock however, the bells of the churches IN
the town and outskirts and those of the Church of Peace
ceremony bad commenced. Only those especially invited
could participate in the proceedings at the palace where
funei al sermon preached by the Chief court chap
ain DR. Strauss in the ante chamber to the well known
room in which Frederick the Great expired, and then
blessing was pronounced over the remains of the
deceased monarch. The procession arranged
cordDg to the programme previously drawn up, but
with come slight deviation in consequence of the
excessive GOODNESS of the weather Thus the regnng
and dowager Queens the royal prncesses and the ladies
Of their suites instead OF following In the procession,
we're driven TO tie church in their carriages revous
TO the corege setting out The procession set ia
motion about a quarter past twelve, when body of
chorsters chsnted the hymn WAS ,Gott thut das ist
wohlgethan." (Whal God does is well done), accom-
panied by mufed drums, and from time to time savoes
of artillery were fired squadron of hussars Of the
Guard headed the ine some time In advance and
rivng at the church drew up in front Tbs coffin was
richly covered, and on it rested helmet, mounted by
golden crown, and other royal attributes The coffin
raised from the position II had previously occupied be-
fore the throne by twelve colonels, and, preceded
by the royal chambcrlains the marshas the Cabinet
Minister'S who bore cushions which the insignia
of State the field marshal carry the electoral sword
and other personagcs was borne through the various
chambers and down the central staircase known
the staircase OF Frederick the Great, to the
carriage upon which II to be conveyed to
the grave. At this point two OF the late Kings
adjudants took up their stations by the side OF the
carriage, laying their hands the head of the coffin
Eight staff officers who had previously left the palace
and four knights of the Order of the Black Eagle who
were to hold the Of the pail and the generals
who were to hold the cords Of the canopy, assumed
their posts. The twelve colonies who had borne the
coffin to the carriage placed themselves six each side
and near them were two staff officers and twelve cap
tans and behind IT, Carriage came the generals carry
ing the royal insignia The Of the canopy was
covered with black silk, and II was lined with white
whilst Il each OF its sides black eagle embazoned
Down the sides Of the eight horses which drew the
carriage hung black velvet, which the black
eagle was embroidered on white ground so-
gle companies. squadrons and battalions Of the
uooIs In garrison at Potsdam, Berlin, Span.
dsu, and Charloenburg opened the process on and i'm
mediaiey in front Of the coffin court pages and
pages Of honor clothed In red tunics In sill
ver and wearing hats surrounded with black feathers
but the nagnifcence OF their costume much dined
by belpg covered with Grape Immediately behind tn
bearer OF the electoral sword walked the King wearing
a military overcoat, and on his head a handsome
helmet near his Majesty was the King of Hanover con
Quoted by Prince Charles, and behind them were the
suites In their immediate service. AS mouruers
lowed the Crown Prince prince Frceric wiiaml then
the other Princes Of the Prussian royal family aud tn,
foreign Princes who bad arrived 10 take part in the
mournful ceremony The Duke Of Brunswick, who had
intended TO be present prevented from travelling 10
Potsdam by illness After the suites Of the foreign
princes numerous Populations N tho authorities
and the procession was closed by OF troops Of
rious kinds.
numerous body Of clergy appeared at the door ofthe
church and there received the colin, which they
Quoted to dais in front Of the altar Before this altar
catafaque was erected the spot where later the
body Of the King was TO repose in the vault Thee
steps led 10 the catafaquc which hung round with
branches OF ypress. between which hundreds of wax
lights were placed, and the whole of the church wa,
draped with black cloth. The windows were darkcned,
that the only light that from the lights around
the catafalque and the seats aud footstoos
covered with black cloth. When tho collin conveyed
into the church, tho two Queens, the Grand Duchess
Dowager Of Mccklenburg Schwerin, the Grand Duchess
Of aden and tho Prussan prncesss In their places
waiting 10 receive IL; and when tho King the dista-
suished parsonage by whom his Majesty was accompa-
MED and the other patcpators 10 the procession had
taken the places assigned them II being then about
O'Clock, the funeral ceremony proceeded with The
choir OF the cathedral first sang the lOth Psalm then
the local choir sang hymn. After this the Court chap
aiD NJ Heyd, sad the Lany and at its conclusion the
Queen Dowager and the King mounted the das knelt be-
fore the coffin and prayed In silence for few moments
which pious example followed by the other chief
mourners About half past clock savos Of artillery
taken up by the troops the streets without and the
toll OF the church bells announced that the bes
sing had been pronounced the remains OF the do
censt monarch.
he