The Portland daily press., 1870-02-02

Yesterday morning witnessed the final hon.
ors in this city attendant upon the remains
of the late George Peabody. 1t was little
singular that the weather on the two days
which had been designated for the ceremonies
should have been inauspicious, and still more
singular that it did not seriously interfere with
the Published programme. At daylight yes
terday morning fierce northeast snow-storm
was raging while the wind was very cold and
there was an impression prevailing with many
that the ceremonies would be postponed till to-
day. No postponement, however, was posi-
BILE, even if it had been intended by abe author
tiles (Which it was not), and precisely at 8 L..
o'clock the doors at the entrance to the Hal
on Myrtle street were opened, and in few
seconds only, as it med, the galleries WERE
filled with ladies. At "a o clock gentlemen
were admitted and crowded the first and sec
Ond corridors, the Reception Hall and all the
adjoining rooms. The corridor in the third
story was reserved for the Haydn Association
300 strong, under the able leadership of Mr.
Kotzschmar and the Germania Orchestra
Band of Boston, twenty-five pieces, under the
baton of Carl Eichler, who furnished the ac'
compartment. The Congress street entrance
was kept perfectly clear, as we'll as the lower
corridor leading from the Mayors Office and
grand staircase. Sentries from the Mechanic
Blnes and Light Infantry paced up and down
outside the ropes that had been put up to pre-.
vent the crowds from overstepping their bounds
while the City Police were on hand keeping a
sharp lookout to see that all was in perfect Or
q o,olo
cials, both civil, military and naval, began to
gather at the Mayors office, and in a short
time the room, as well as those of the Alder
men and Common Council, were completely
filed. At "a the official procession was
formed by Mr.. w. w. Thomas, Jr., one of the
aids to the Chief Marshal, and in the publish
ed order they marched up into the City Hall,
the only change made being that Immediately
after the pall-bearers came Bishop Nicely Of
the Diocese of Maine, in his episcopal robes
accompanied by his Chaplain, Rev. c. w.
Hayes and Chaplain Harrison of the Monarch,
both attired in their surplices. AS the process
sion passed up the stairway the guards faced
to the front, while the crowds in the corridors
and different apartments maintained decor
Gus silence.
WITHIN CITY HALL
There are scenes that word painting cannot do
justice to, and which the experienced artist
cannot fully transfer to canvas. Such was the
scene within City Hall. Standing at the far
Their end near the stage the coup d'ea was
most imposing. From above was suspended
the sable canopy that extended from side to
side of the spacious apartment, relieved only
by the immense white quatre-foil in the centre
and the white streamers that radiated from it,
The great heraldic star with its 300 gas-jets
threw out golden radiance that lighted up
the national coats of arms of both countries on
either side, and brought out in bold relief the
huge silver vases at either end of the stage
filed with the rarest flowers. The soft light
of the tall wax candles around the bier reveal.
ed the solemn magnficence of the lofty cata.
falque surmounted by its great plumes, caused
the silver stars which studded the ceiling of its
canopy to twinkle, displayed the rich black and
white pail that gracefully covered the casket,
brought to view the profusion ofroses and Ill
les that were tenderly strewn about the bier
and were twined in graceful festoons about the
front of the stage over its sombre drapery, and
irradiated the features of the sculptured like
AtsS VI tuc Sredt pullduturOpiSt WHICH SI0Ou on
pedestal at the foot of the catafalque The
four small gaselers above and the wax-lights
around the sides of the hall brought to view
the thousands Of faces that lined the galleries
glowing with youth and beauty, earnestly gaz-
ing upon the scene below, where in long lines
were drawn up the gentlemen who formed the
procession, occupying every inch of the body
of the apartment in front of the sentinels, the
varied uniforms resplendent with gold lace
and embroidery contrasting with the black
coats OF the civilians Directly in front of the
catafalque stood the Bishop in his robes while
at the right and left of the dais were the two
chaplains. On the one side stood the ex- Mayors
and ex-Presidents of the Board of Trade (head-
ed by the venerable historian of Portland
Hon. William Willis) with bowed heads, their
hair silvered by the frost of a long and honora-
BILE lfe while ON the other side stood the rela-
tves OF the deceased. At each corner the
guards leaned reverently upon the butts o.
their reversed muskets while the sentries stood
at "parade rest
All at once, while the vast auditory was
hushed in death-like silence, fell upon the
ear like a chorus from angel voices the soft
the promise of the Lord-"since by man came
death, by man came also the resurrection o.
the dead" Who that heard that strain SC
plaintive, and yet so thrilling, followed imme.
diately by the grand chorus "For in Adam all
die" and concluding with the quartette even
so in Christ shall all be made alive" will ever
forget it. Those voices sounded like the voices
from the spirit world embracing the solemn
story of sin and suffering, consolation and
hope. atonement and salvation, while the mighty
chorus poured forth as it were the deep SYM
pathies OF the human race. At it's conclusion
perceptible agitation was remarked among
the audience, as if debarred from the usual
method of expressing their admiration their
feelings must find EXPIRE ssion in some other
way. After few moments silence, was heard
that composition of Mozart's, than which moth.
ing more beautiful in music was ever written
the "Lachrymosa," from the Requiem. As de-
lineated by the chorus it was wall of sorrow,
continuing with increased vehemence until it
became raging passion striving to drown its
own devouring grief The effect upon the au-
disnce was marvellous. 1t seemed as if every
ear was stretched to catch the faintest sound,
"uu aS ZIG last expiring uOte QleQ away upon
the ear, we happened to turn round and gaze
into the outer corridor, and there we saw a
man of middle age, evidently in humble life
by his attire, who, seated on a camp stool, was
bending over his cane while the tears were
coursing down his cheeks.
At the conclusion of the"Lachry mosa "
Bishop Nicely, mounting the steps of the dais
knelt on the platform with his face turned TO-
wards the audience and, in full and impressive
tones, repeated the Lords Prayer. This was
followed by the prayer from the Order for the
Visitation OF the Sick, beginning, "Oh God
whose days are without end" Then came the
special prayers for the occasion.
o Almighty and Eternal God, the Create,
of all, and the bountful bestower of ever,
good and perfect gift, we recognize our de-
pendence upon thee, and We would confess ou
unworthiness of the least of the manifold
blessings of thy providence and grace. Teacl
US, we beseech thee, both to receive them witt
humble thankfulness and to realize our &C
countablity to thee for the right use OF all GU
possessions and all our endowments. Especial
ly we pray that we may be taught OF thee t
use Alright, according to thy WILL the world,
goods which thou, of thy free bounty, dos
bestow upon US. Preserve us from the guilt o
covetousness, and from all inordinate love o
riches, and unlawful pursuit of worldly gain
May we so labor that thy blessing may eve
rs. upon our labors, and SO employ the weall
oonimittedt to our trust that we may give goot