Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-01-31
THE PEABODY CEREMONIES.

members OF t1c Legislature anu many VI 'u
citizens were early astir to attend the ccre
monies at Portland upon the reception of thu
remains of George Peabody from the British
war vessel which brought them from England
On THE ROAD.
President Rice had prepared a special ca
for the Legislature. but that body had become
in some mysterious manner considerably en-
larged So that the regular train of three o
four cars was necessarily expanded to thir
teen, and these wer, packed full. Presiden
Rice and Superintendent Lincoln were boil
on the train looking after the comfort of tn
passengers, and under the direction of Con
ductor Dodge we took the road precisely a
the minute President Bolster of the Senat
and Speaker Foster of the House, with al
their attendant officers, even to the pages
were present, the prompt messengers maxim!
themselves useful in distributing the custom
airy copies of the morning Kennebec journa
| to members. Nearly every State department
was represented. The ladies were also ou
| in considerable force.
NOT IN THE PROGRAMME
Notwithstanding the very heavy train, we
were making the usual time until our arrival
at Frecport, where we were detained forty
minutes by couple of freight cars bound IN
the opposite direction, having been thrown
from the track about two miles away. This
was an ANNOYANCE, but as nobody was to
blame, there was nobody to be found fault
with everybody bore it good naturedly; no
circumstances were sent up or down, but all
concurred that it was an interruption for
which there was no remedy but patient wait
ing.
On THE MAHoNING.
After forty minutes we started again, and
without further unnecessary detention reached
Portland where Governor Chamberlain had
made all necessary arrangements for the Leg
islature to visit the Monarch. That body
with many adjuncts-was received at the
depot by Adjutant General Murray, and I'M
mediately conducted by him to the steam cut
ter Mahoning which lay near by all ready to
convey the members to the British vessel.
No sooner were we aboard than the lines were
cast off, and away we went across the harbor.
The decks of the steamer were crowded with
her living freight, but the careful and atten-
tive officers took all pleasantly. Down below
lunch was prepared for those who chose to
partake, which, after our early breakfast and
ride, was very acceptable. The air was very
chilly and raw and the clouds dark and threat
ening As we moved off into the harbor and
looked back at the shore we saw that all the
wharves, tops of buildings, heights, every
pont from which view of the harbor could
be had, even the spars and decks of vessels,
were black with dense multitude of people.
Flags were flying at half mast on the shipping
and the public buildings. Before us lay the
Monarch, with her lofty black hull, farther
outward the Plymouth. and to the northeast
the two long, low Monitors. Alongside,
dashed to the Monarch lay steam tender
with a receptacle built on deck and covered
with black cloth in which to receive the coffin
and carry it to the shore. Marshal Gushing
called the Legislature to order, and on an
nouncing to them the programme of exercis-
es informed them that the tarry on the Mon
arch most necessarily be brief, and no person
must permit himself to loiter in the survey.
We ran up alongside of the tender, fastened
to her and climbing over sides, decks and
ladders were soon
On BOARD THE MONARCH.
The party was received at the gangway by
the British officers, the marines and sailors
being drawn up in naval style to suit the oc-
casion. The personages were introduced to
Capt Comerell by Adjutant General Murray
The Monarch is an iron vessel, propelled by
steam and sails, with two turrets and i'm
mense rified guns weighing twenty-five tons
each, and is said to be one of the finest ships
in the British navy. The discipline appeared
to be perfect. From the blue shirt and black
tarpaulin hat to the gold, scarlet and ribbons
of the commander, all seemed appropriate
and worthy of attention, each knowing his
place and filling it properly, without any
undue demonstration of authority or lack OF
intelligent comprehension. Over the ships
decks we past in haste, and were escorted to
the second deck where the remains lay.
Here room was fitted up with rich en-
blcms of mourning, with black and white
with tapcrs burning, and in the centre upon a
raised platform was the magnificent caskel
containing the dust of George Peabody
around which guard of marines changed
hourly kept watch, and two sailors stood
bowed upon their muskets in reverential at
titude. The place-next the captains cabin
and the appurtenances, testified that what
ever could be done to show the deepest re-
spect had been pc, formed by the British gov
eminent. Whether this was altogether in
honor Of the deceased or partly for diplo-
macy, is question which may not unlikely
be raised by some who have read English
history and understand something of the
craftsmanship. But time presses and back
we hurry to the Mahoning, TO return to the
shore and witness the
TRANsFERRAL OF THE REMAINS.
Aswe steamed away the boats from the YES
sells began to make their appearance, and soon