Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-01-01
INLAND, The German Poet.
From The New YORK Independent.

The funeral obsequies in honor of the dead
poet were of the most imposing and magnifi-
cent character, as beftted the last tribute of
the nation to the memory of its most beloved
singer and honOred patriot. The coffin, as is
the custom at European funeral, was placed
outside the door of the house, and was COM
pletely covered with flowers. Twelve laurel
crowns adorned its top. At the right and left
OF the head were the two crowns brought by
the German and Schwaben Singers Union,
decorated with the German colors; between
them, that brought by the Academic scholars
of the gymnasium at the foot, the crown of
laurel inwoven with roses, as the last token
of love and devotion, by the Liederk1anz of
Kirchenheim. Upon this crown lay the single
palm leaf-emblem of peace-the offering of
the Singers Society Of Stuttgart. As the
coffin was lifted upon the hearse, the members
of the Stuttgart LiedeYkranz and of the
Academy's Liedertafel joined in the beautiful
choral, ''Shall not Love also weep?"
The hearse was drawn by four white horses,
draped in mourning, led by eight students,
four on each side.
The city was overlooking with strangers
from every direction, far and near, who had
come by the extra trains to take part in the
funeral ceremonies; Singers, Turner's, Fire
bingen that day, not only in hundreds, but by
thousands-every society with its garlands
and crowns of laurel.
The imposing appearance of the flower
decked flag of the ''Shcwabischen Sander-
buende," which, five years ago. first waved in
festal splendor before the house of the poet,
attracted universal attention, and, owing to
its hallowed associations was waved over the
open grave.
On reaching the ''narrow house," the Aca-
demtc Liedeytatd sang the first verse of the
song
"Silently the singer sleeps,
Whose ear has listened at the gates of other
spheres"
Bishop Georgia of Tuebingen then followed
with the funeral discourse.
While the coffin was being lowered to its
last resting place, the academic Liede,tafel
sang the grand choral, ''Christ is my life :"
and the bearer of banners waved them slowly
one after another, above the open grave.
Then came the countless thousands with
noiseless tread and Overlooking hearts, to cast
last lingering looks upon the crowned coffin
that hid for eyermore from mortal sight all
that was "Of the earth, earthly" of the dear
dead songster.
The oldest and dearest of the poets poet
lllCuuo3 MS lnlliltlc COulpdDlOH IOr years,
Karl Mayer, spoke with faltering voice the
last tender farewell; the coffin was then COW
cred nearly foot in depth with garlands and
laurel crowns, brought by private individuals
and societies. Prof. j. G. Fischer, standing
beside the open grave, in clear and thrilling
tones, recited an ode, which ends as follows:
"And when thou contest, thou Spirit of the Future!
And seekest among the names OF German sons
The first who broke their countrys path to glory,
Though wilt cry, LUDWIG UHLAND!"
"Ludwig INLAND p responded resound-
ing echo from the opposite hills, as if the
spirit of the German people has thus confirm
ed the answer.
The grave was then filed, by the throwing
of handfulls of earth upon the coffin by the
thousands who passed by with dropping BAN
ners and strains of muffled music. The grave
hill was completely buried with crowns.
As the shadows of evening ,.s.rkened, the
students came with funeral tread and marched
solemnly in torchlight procession around the
crowned grave.
They afterwards repaired, together with the
University faculty, members of the clergy,
and others, to one of the city halls, where the
last funeral services were closed, and the last
chorals chanted