New-York tribune., 1870-02-02
THE PEABODY FUNERAL.
CLOSING CEREMONIES AT PORTLAND-GRACEFUL
CONDUCT OF THE BRITISH oFFICERS-IHE
REMOVAL FROM PORTLAND TO PEABODY.

kEAONAL FROM PORIbAND ~ fEADODi'
PEABODY, Mass, Feb. IL mentioned in my
account Of the ceremonies last Saturday at Portland the
unwonted spectacle Of detachment Of British troops
marching under through the streets OF an American
city. There pleasing incident connected with the
visit OF these troops OF which have since been informed
When the coffin had been deposited in state on the eata
falque and the procession dismissed, and no one re-
named the darkened hall but the guards at the four
corners Of the bier Major Gardner the English officer In
command Of the Marines asked permission for his men
go pay last tribute Of respect TO the remains
OF course the request was granted. The detachment
marched into the great hall, and drawn up before
the coffin, paid tho customary hcnors TO the
dead, while their band softly played q drge'
Then they came away, and the Portland
militia gave them to the boats This IL only one
out OF many incidents which show the anxiety OF the
Engshmen to do their very utmost both personally ana
officially in testfying their respect for Mr.. Peabodys
memory Thus Capt. Commsrell absolutely insisted
upon the privilege of keeping the body in state his
vessel for two days after arriving In port Thus num-
Der of officers from the Monarch will attend the burial
service proper which to take place at Peabody on the
sth instant. Thus also Capt Commerell, though as
typical British sailor he Is OF course no speeehmaker,
asked as privilege to be allowed to deliver the body
with short formal address Their behavior in fact,
from first TO has graceful and courteous to the
very extreme degree, and viii not be forgotten
On Sunday and Monday the Monarch continued to re-
ceiye visitors the joval pilot. Capt. Willard to whom
than stranger In Portland has been indebted In
thousand ways during the past week. taking of enor-
nous crowds from the dock while all day Monday still
larger crowds thronged the state chamber at the City
Hall. Monday evening the room was closed to prepare
for the morrow.
At an early hour this morning the Hall began to fill
with spectators None admitted TO the floor OF the
mortuary chamber except members Of the innumeraoie
committees and delegations, and others who were to
take prominent part In the ceremonies, and the gal
eries occupied principally by ladies. who were ad
mitted about an hour before the serner sex.
Snow began to fall again, and IT was still falling fast
tins morning. with O sharp wind which piled 1t up in
drifts and on any ccason less exciting than the pres
ent would have driven everybody out OF the streets
Such could not but Interfere materially Win the
contemplated display. 1t Is curious fact Indeed that
oil the principal ceremonies OF the transfer OF MT
Peabodys remains from England to America nave been
held In the midst Of storms. There was driving ram
when the coffin was placed aboard the Monarch at Ports
mouth. There was o fierce tempest OF snow and
sleet when the ship arrived in Portland harbor.
There was a fall Of snow when the body was
landed. There was snow again this morning. when the
transfer was made from Maine to Massachusetts The
weather spoiled the brilancy OF the procession but 1t
apparently did not lessen the crowd or spectators Ihe
and the house windows were thronged and the
City Hail. IN all its corridors anteroOms and galleries,
men as could wedge themselves after their betters were
placed.
At o'clock the civic societies. public functonaries dis
tingulshed guests, and American and British officers
began to assemble In the Of the Mayor Aldermen
and Council and the military escort with the funeral
car drew up the before the Hail. In the midst or
W hr Of snow II nearly 10 o'clock when the doors
OF the mourning chamber opened, and the process
sion fled in The spectacle in the dim light OF the Hall
was indescrbaby Impressive All around the catafalqne
were wreahs and vases OF natural flowers At the four
corners guards leaning upon the butts OF ther
muskets and sentres paced back and forth along the
sides On right and left OF tho dais stood the ten
gentlemen exMayors OF Portland, aud exPresdents or
the Board Of Trade who had been pabearers
Behind them we're members Of the Peabody family and
Trustees Of Mr. Peabody charities The rest OF the cor
tege drew up In regular ne facing the cOn and COM
pletedly filling the floor OF the hall The first and second
lines were composed Of the Governor, the Mayor the
foreign Consuls and the officers OF the British and
American forces All entitled TO uniform were Ia
full dress. Admiral Farragut not present, either
In tho hall, in the procession, and Rear
Admiral Thatcher went away yesterday. Capt
Commerell, with q great number VI the officers OF
the Monarch, and Capt Almy there. Capt. Fair
fax Capt Macomb, officers OF oil grades from the Ply
mouth the Benicla. the MianOnomah, aud the Terror;
officers of the Revenue marine under Can't Webster;
officers OF the British steamship nnder Capt. Brown
officers
nors staff and conspicuous in the front rank was the
scarlet uniform Of u British volunteer officer, who had
lust arrived from Canada At the steps OF the catafaque
stood Bishop Nicely the Rev. Mr. Hayes Chaplain to the
BIshop and the Rev Mr.. Harrison, Chaplain OF the
MonaIch, all In surplices.
Through the yelled openings above the.gaery now
came the music OF the choir softened by the distance
and when it died away. the Bishop knet and offered
few prayers selected partly from the burial service or
EnIan followed
from one of the bands alternating with the chOrses OF
Handel and and while tho choir was singing
"The Happy and Blessed" from the oratorio OF ST.
Paul" the procession .began to move. Twelve STOUT
sailors from the revenue cutter Mahoning TOOK tho
coin on bier carried IL down the great stairway to the
street. and placed the The relatives, the prin-
cipal guests and the army and navy officers followed
two ana two and the civic societies and delegations
brought up the rear The ceremonies lasted only half
hour but they were solemn and beautiful than any
previous chapter In the Peabody pageant on this SIDE Oh
the water except the OF the landing on Saturday
That scene was the climax OF the whole affair.
When we came out OF that dark, close room into the
open air. found the storm abating anu the CLOUDS
already beginning break and before the fnnera tram
left Portland the came out bright and warm Inc
snow had lasted long enough however to spoil the dis
play which, though credtabe under the circumstances
WAS certainly not brilliant Great efforts had been made
10 get the streets into condition for marching put tho
wind piled up the almost as last as tue street
Commissioner leveled t away. The snowy Dress UNI
forms OF the naval officers concealed by capes ana
rubber coats but perhaps made little difference Tor
they all rode In close carriages
IL was nearly an before the procession got under
way Before II went, platoon OF men from the WORK
house attacked the heaps In rather an almess anu
feeble sort OF way with shoves Behind them came Two
epormous snow plows doing much better work. ahu oou
irving 20 reduce the roadway to something like level
Tho coteee headed by force OF police aud the Marsha
and his Aids now moved In tho following order through
Middle and Congresssts. 70 the rallroa9 depot;
Band OF the 5th U. g. Artillery,
Four Companies OF tho 9th Artillery marching py ioS
with colors dreped and srnis re'ersed'