Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-01-20
NO. H..
WisfellaHily.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE PEA
BODY FUNERAL.

]
PREPARATIONS FOR THE PEA
BODY FUNERAL.
The Portland correspondent of the Bos-
ton Advertiser furnishes that paper with
an account of the preparations made in
that city to receive the remains of Mr.. Pea
body, from which we copy.
Upon entering the city hall one is utterly
amazed at the change that has been wrought in
its appearance within the past two weeks
Two weeks ago everything connected with it
was bright and cheerful, but now it seems as
if the very wood of which it is made were
sharing in the general sorrow. The beauti-
tiful proportions of the hall, the dim flicker
ing light which is shed out upon the darkness
from the burners here and there, and the rich,
heavy festoons Of white and black, almost OBJ
securing from the view the sides and ceiling
of the large hall, produce an effect which,
for sombre grandeur, probably surpasses any
thing of a similar character which has ever
been attempted in this country. From the
ceiling overhead depend heavy festoons of
black alpaca completely covering the white
ceiling, and gracefully looped at the sides OF
the hall in such a manner as to give an ap-
pearance of great weight. There are in ad-
dition to these, eight heavy festoons of white
hung in the same manner.
AT the centre Of the ceiling from which all
these festoons hang in graceful folds is placed
an elegant white rosette. The walls are
draped in black. The fronts of the galleries
are hung with black broadcloth tastefully
plated. Imbedded in the broaicioth are
here and there small glittering stars. These
festoons are caught up, near the heads of the
pillars supporting the galleries, by silver cords
hanging from wreaths of imm0rtelles, they
being surmounted with elegant plumes. The
pillars supporting the galleries are also drsped,
and the walls under the galleries are hung
with festoons of black broadcloth formed into
bats surmounted alternately with wreath
and cross of immortelles.
The windows, twelve in number, are
wholly darkened. They are heavily draped
in Gothic style, with a white background.
Above each window is large white rosette,
and in the centre is placed black rosette.
The wall at the head of the hall Is especial
4 ly noticeable for the two coats of arms, one
British and the other American, elegantly
finished in gilt. Under the English Is this
inscription.
"Nis utile est quod facimus, stnlta est gloria
Under the American coat of arms are the
words,
''Pulchrum est benefacere Reipublicm."
Between these decorations and higher upon
tiers sc. p" Illuminated by one hundred jets
of gas, each giving a small bright light and
producing very wonderful effect in this 9TH
erwise darkened part of the hall.
Among the inscriptions upon the front of
the galleries are the following
Thou, too, whose deeds bankrupt nations
gratitude"
'sKind hearts are more than coronets."
''But the greatest of these Is charity
Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven"
At the foot of the hall are escutcheons, up
on which are inscribed
"Luxuria ejus benefacere."
"Vrtus sola nobilitat."
Elegant and impressive as the hall itselfis,
the catafalque upon which will be placed the
remains of Mr.. Peabody is certainly the most
) observed of all. 1t stands at the head of the
hall, in front of and touching what is usually
, used as a speakers platform. The dais is
twenty-four feet by eighteen. There are two
steps covered with black. The bier itself is
fifteen feet by ten and is about four feet high
from the upper step. 1t is richly dressed in
black broadcloth, bordered with black velvet,
ornamented with heavy silver fringe. The
centre of the canopy is twenty-five feet from
the base. Upon the canopy are elegnnt sill
yer holders and in each heavy black plume.
: At the corners heavy festoons are arranged,
being caught up by Grape bands to be set with
flowers when the work Is fully completed
Upon the dais are twelve massive silyered
candlesticks from which the hickering gas
completes the illumination and would almost
make one believe that so modern light as
gas had not been employed upon this ocea-
sion.
When the burial casket is placed upon the
bier and natural flowers are scattered along
the dais with wreaths of the same appropri-
ately arranged here and there, the effect in the
dimly lighted hall will be imposing. The en-
trance to the hall will in due time be tasteful
ly draped and Portland people need not feel
that everything possible has not been done by
them and by the State authorities to show that
they combine in this display a profound re-
|, spect for the memory Of the great philanthro-
/, pist and a sincere appreciation OF the compli-
ment paid in selecting this as the seaport to
receive her British Majesty's vessels of war
which are bringing across the ocean the only
man whom the two nations have ever united
to mourn.
My description of the preparations, imper-
!, feet as it must be, would be beincomplete did
fail to mention the elegant funeral car which
has been constructed ut the expense OF the
( State under the supervision of Colonel John
NJ. Brown of the Governors staff. The car
is twenty -four feet long. seven feet wide, ftve
feet seven inches from the ground to the first
platform. The second platform, which is to
bear the bier, is raised slightly above the first,
t and is seven feet long and three feet wide.
The drapery is mostly of black broadcloth,
f bordered with white alpaca around the bot
tom, covered with heavy festoons of black
velvet with silver fringe, with white Grape
bows at the corner. At each corner of the
body is an elegant silver holder supporting
heavy black plume with white top. The dais
is covered with black velvet with festoons
held up by silver cords. The canopy, also of
black, has graceful sweep from the centre
post to the corners and sides, and is surmount-
/ ed by a large American eagle bearing in his
beak ribbons OF black and white. This ear,
which is of itself elegant and imposing, is to
be drawn by six milk white steeds, each led
by man bearing the usual emblems ofmourn-
ing. The car, preceded by the military es-
cort will present more imposing spectacle
than has eyer vet hnan Witnessed in the nuief