The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-04
THE RICHARDSON TRAGEDY.

Appearance Of the Deceased-Remark-
able Sermon by Henry Ward
Beecher-Sense Of the City on
the Astor House Exhibition.
The funeral ceremony over the remains of the late
Albert ID. Richardson took place yesterday at noon
in private paror on the second AoUr OF the Astor
House. The body, deposited in silver mounted
rosewood CONN. was removed from the room in
which 1t lay after death to this more commodlous
apartment. The large number OF persons who col
lected In the corridors adjoining the where the
funeral ceremonies were performed showed the
feeling OF interest aroused In the community by the
peculiarly unfortunate fate OF the deceased. None
were admitted save those who were invited.
Horace Greeley was present, and @. A. Richardson,
brother OF the deceased; his mother, Mrs. Richard
son; Mrs. Sage mother OF Mrs. Mcfarland; Mrs.
Sinclair, Mrs. Lucia Calhoun, Mrs. Sarah Ames Mrs.
Parton, MISS Gilbert. Mrs. Holden, Morris r. Norton,
p. O. Stedman, Whiteaw Reid; Mrs. Mcfarland,
dressed in black and bathed In tears; Henry Ward
Beecher, o. B. rockingham and many others
OF minor importance. The face OF the
deceased was exposed, and wore look
OF firm calmness. Mr.. Richardson, judging from his
appearance as he lay in the coffin. was not to say
handsome man, but might have been extremely
amiable and winning IN his manner. His light
blonde beard was trimmed close at me sides and
permitted to expand into tufL at the chin and on
the upper lip. lie had large, prominent forehead.
overshadOwing the face and leaving the eyes shrunK
away in their sockets. HIS mouth was somewhat
large. and shut with an expression OF determine
ton. He was dressed In o suit OF black, white col
lar and neckrle. After the ceremony plaster cast
was taken Of the face There seemed to be great
deal OF interest to hear what Henry Ward Beecher
had to say in defence Of himself against the attacks
that have appeared against him Tor mis- celebration
Of the memorable deathoed marriage. The senti-
ment OF curiosity brought many guests Of the house,
especially ladies', down into the corridor, and the
door or the private parlor was quite extensively
surrounded.
THE FUNERAL CEREMONIES.
The proceedings were begun by Mr.. rockingham,
who extoled the many virtues OF the deceased in
the highest terms. He thought that though many
acts OF his life had been against the law OF God
little charity would wipe all out He prayed for the
future welfare OF the woman he so desperately
loved, and trusted that his murderer would ulti-
mateiy be brought the consciousness of his awful
crime and through the love Of Christ be saved.
MR.. BEECHER's REMARKS.
When Mr.. rockingham finished his remarks, Mr..
Beecher upon whom all eyes were turned, rose
calmly, but with more than ordinary determination
Of look, and said
II believed that this man had broken down the
garden walls and plucked the falresI Hover OF q
neighbours garden, and that he was struck dead In
the heat OF this moral crime, should have word
to say. But silence would nave added one more to
those troubles that have fallen upon MIN, and do
Der Of those who believe this D man i to be a
true man, and that IN his past sad his
tory ne behaved himself morally demean-
ing himself SO that his conscience was true
before God, and, trust, one day his name Will be
before men, cannot bear witness to his private
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him without being acquainted with him. But those
who were most intimate with him, those that coun-
selled with him step by step, both men and women
who are themselves virtuous and above reproacn,
testify that both he and she who Is left to his
they behaved in main virtuous and rightly-tha1
they did not violate those Christian canons OF moral
been, dear to the ChrStlan heart OF the community
And believing, therefore, IN the substantial nteg-
WY ana aao vruo 81 ms as 1a Sa a1
or two before he died. went often TO
the throne Of grace during the anguish q my
most faithfully. and vowed tnat they should be my
II ~ S wns
my native land they should not lack friend III me.
There were TWO classes engaged IN lighting that
who Kept up the heart and spirit OF tho country at
home Among the latter he occupied foremost
place, ana did his work nobly ana well. And / am
willing TO stand by his side In this hour OF darkness
and disrepute II needs be. For my friends, how
settles all enmtles in ordinary cases. death recon
Giles bitterest foes; but here Is case where death
creates enemies aud leaves no peace even in the
grave. The lion In his strength and in his own
businesses is able TO defend himself, but no
sooner has the cruel arrow OF the huntsman
every beetle, every fly, every crawling worm. Now
that he is down flesh fes all around about MIN.
mics, Is the very arrayng OF the battle against him.
1t Is shame, sorrow ana disgrace that 1t should
those who knew MIN, and knew that he was pure
and true man, should IN this hour stand fearIessy
for his integrity and should not let she who bears
his name go down in the darkness and trouble by
reason OF the misrepresentation and ISLANDERS that
have fallen upon him. He cares no more for 1t him.
there is the household which mustOloving much
suffer much, and there are faithful friends who are
witnesses OF his integrity For their sakes we stand
be honored. In taking my farewell OF this corpse I
believe that take leave OF o man whom one need
not be ashamed to call friend. Let US unite IN
prayer.
TX THE CORRIDORS OF TIE AsToR HOUSE.
After prayer the persons present slowly dig :
persed filing round by the CONN and taking o fare
wen glance at the placid face OF the deceased. On
top Of the coffin loving hands had placed white
flowers and within q sprig or two OF laurel were
laid The silver plate on the lid was inscribed
{ Died Dec. 2, 1860, aged 80 years and months.
At three O'Clock the coffin was finally closed and
taken to the Boston boat for transmission TO Frank
lin Mass, where the burial services will be cele.
brated to-day, at three O'CLOCK in the afternoon.
After the ceremony number OF ladies retired TO
Mrs. McFarland's room, opposite to that where
Richardson breathed hts last. Mrs. Mcfarland re-
ceived the condolences OF her visitors with becom-
ing and dlgnincd sadness. There were good many
led by mere curiosity to wander along the corridor
IN hopes OF obtaining glimpse at the lady whose
name within the past week has secured such wide
spread notoriety; but oil such were doomed TO dis
appointment and finally. when Mrs. Mcfarland
1aon