The New York herald., 1870-02-01
GEORGE PEABODY,
large Number Of Visitors 10 tho MDrtaaYy
Chapel in Portland. 11
haras OF Respect 10 the Memory OF ths
hi"strious Dead-DescriptiOn OF the
mortnary Chapel = An Imposing
Spectacle = The Remains to
DO Removed 10 Peabody,
Mass, To-Day.

PORTLAND. Jan. 81. 1870
or ali others this has unquestionably been ths
most interesting and solemn day In Portland since
the Peabody obsequies commenced. IL would seem
perhaps, from the long interval which the core
monies occupy, that the people would ere this
have begun to regard them as tedious. rhls how
ever Is not for every feature OF the funeral from
the beginning. has been universally shared in by tho
whole surrounding community, and no opportunity
has been lost to testify in the most emphatic aud
unmistakabie manner the general sorrow which u
felt at the death OF the illustrIous philanhropst
The ceremonies OF to-day have been partially In
formal and Of such character as to allow the great
public to manifest in ts own way the general fcca-
Ing which prevails. There have been no devotioual
exercises no eloquent elaborate eulogtes, no
pomp OF PROFESSIONS, but tho treasured remains
have reposed quietly within tho elaborately
draped City Hall, aud thousands have passed In and
ont, and thus by their presence and respectful
and silent demeanor testified not only to their
own sad emotions, but reelected the gsn-
eral ana heartfelt sorrow OF every Chine
AMI country where the name OF George Peabody Ia
known. The portals OF the hall were not thrown
open until nine O'Clock, but long before that hour
the multitude began to assemble In the vicinity.
The day was OF natures cholcest-clear and
balmy-thc atmosphere just cold enough TO be ex
hilarating. and the heavy snow OF two days before
had been worked into such shape ~ to afford ex-
cellent sleghing, which was well improved by the
dwelers IN the interior who wished TO come aud
mingle with the general throng OF mournera For
full hour, perhaps more. tho crowd
waited patiently for the clock IN an
adjoining church TO announce the hour
OF nine and when tlengh the echo OF the last stroke
rung out on the air couple OF stalwart policemen
swung slowly open t1e heavily draped doors OF the
temporary resting place Of the instrlons dead. At
once the stream of humanity began to move into tue
crowdng or josIling. Every one was silent aud the
conduct OF the whole Anxloas throng was In CON-
mendable keeping with the soemnity OF the
Having entered The precincts OF the sacred place
the mortuary chapel-the scene was nc once SOL
cmn and impressive, and all seemed Impressed and
inspired with reyerenual and subdued enthusiasm.
The elaborate drapery the dim!y burning gas Jets,
and every surrounding In fact combined to Impress
Itself almost indeiiioiy on tac minds Of the be-
holders. IL may be truly said that no spectacle 0T
the Kind was ever before witnessed here and In an
artistic point OF view 1t is generally believed to
on the occasion OF the funeral OF the Duke OF Wei
liagton, and to even rival tho profnss
obscquies or the late Prince Albert and President
Lincoln. Admiral Farra2ut was among the earliest
Co pay his tribute to the worthy departed He spoke
OF the decorations as doubly elaborate and beyond
his auttctpations. "But yet" he added, .they arc
no more than they should be to properly show the
The catafalque upon which the remains are laid ID
imposing and splendid Erected in the centre OF tho
hail. close to the front OF the platform II derives ies
grandeur from its lofty and correct proportions and
the uueXamp ed richness OF It's construction. In0
dais eighteen by fourteen feet In size, ana Is
cended to on either SIDE by night Of two steps
carpeted with green astrachan. The CONN rests
uDon raised central platform, nearly eight rees
from the door, wh,le above 1t towers the canopy.
whose apex lifts itself TO height OF twenty five ieet
Tho casket itself Is very elaborate, and tts weight
with the precious dust, Is upward OF 900 pounds-
1t IL covered with black broadcOth, and In The
tire solid silver plate, bearing an inscription OF
! the date Mr.. Peabody's birth and death. The
elaborate decorations OF the hall, previously
described In the HERALD, were fitting symbols OF
mourning OF more than royal magn;ncence. Ones
In their presence the visitor might well think that
he had Jelt the world ana its brightness Tor some
shauowy recess In the portals OF that valley through
whole Interior OF the hail Is entirely black Mid
hgl TO the right and LETT OF the centre the coats OF
arms OF the United States ana OF Great Britain
affixed TO the drapery, and stand forth In bold
In diameter, ana done tn gold and
black. Underneath the American coat or arms
enclosed IN scroll s tho motto. In silver letters.
from Sainst PuiCiuna est benz aCe re repubitCO. On
the front or the gallery either std: OF tho
lace aud white alpaca, bearing in silver letters tho
notices kind words are moro than coronets,n
from Tennyson aud Thou, too whose deeds
bankrupt a nations gratitude from Scott. Cor
responding escutcneons on the 'front.' Of the gallery.
opposite tue main entrance, bear the mot
to5, and from Scripture, "Eut the greatest
yourselves treasures In heaven.n On the front or
the gallery, at the rear OF the hail. arc cscutcheons
Ike the others bearing the notices, "Vtrtus sofa
7oblltat, virtue alone ennoblesl and "LurltJfa
ejus tenefacere' (hs luxury to do GOOD.
The scenes OF to-day, so pre9nant with tender
emotional feeling, evidenced in the great movement
the morrow, when the magnificent funeral pageant
courses is way IN the direction or the home OF tae
distinguished dcad, where, IN few short days dusa
VIII return ~ dust In literal sense.