The New York herald., 1871-03-26
PRIlrS MEMORIAM.
The Generals Son Opens the Coffin
of His Father In Madrid.
Spanish Soldiers and Statesmen in the Presence
Of the Dead King -Maker-The Church Of
Atocha-Is Age and Images.
MADRID, March A. 1877.

MADRID, March A, 1871.
Wednesday the 1st instant in the afternoon, an
affecting took place In the Basilica-de Atocha.
General Gaminde, Captain General OF Catalonia,
accompanied by the Commissarat General of the
Spanish army, with his aides-de-camp, as also the
the aides-de-camp OF King Amadeus and other
intimate friends OF the unfortunate General Prim,
went to the Church Atocha and descended to the
Pantheon tor the purpose OF paying tribute Of pro-
found respect to the mortal remains OF the usrious
General and statesman who, on terminating his
work in procuring king for the Spaniards fell by
the hands OF assassins.
THE SON OF THE DE CEASED AT THE COFFIN
The young Duke de los Castillejos PrIms son and
neir, youth OF some thirteen summers, was OF the
party, and stood beside the coffin OF his deceased
father. The young Duke wore the uniform
OF the Hussars, to which corps he belongs.
The lads countenance bore an aspect OF
one so young nearly related and so fondly be-
loved by the late General. Hedrew the keys OF the
coffln from his pocket, and with steady hand ap.
piled them TO tho locks gently raised the lid and
after looking for moment Oh the face Of his dead
father turned round to the generals ana other ofl-
GERS forming the party. He spoke not word, but
with his right hand pointed to the conn AS the
young Duke, with up turned lace, looked at these
distinguished visitors to his dead parents narrow
abode, his expression wore something like an ap-
peal. His dark eyes flashed, his face paled and his
lips quvered He seemed to say, "Behold the
mut1lated remains OF my father-yOur chle. your
friend; he with whom you have fought side by side
IN hundred engagements-is justice never to be
done him2 are his assassins never be dscOvereds
Is HIS murder never to be avenged Yr
the marDled features OF the hero OF the African
campaign tears glistened IN their eyes and trlcked
down Their bronzed cheeks. Their lips compressed.
hilt OF his sword, and seemed ready to respond 10
the silent though eloquent appeal Of the young
Duke. long aud painful silence followed; fiery
passions subsidized and better thoughts predomi
mated The stern features of the veterans relaxed,
and their lips moved In prayer for the repose OF
soul OF their comrade, the general statesman and
kingmaker.
ADIEU.
The lid OF the coffin was silently closed the bolts
OF the locks again turned on their levers, and
Prim's orphan having taken possession OF the Keys
the mournful procession retired.
FUNERAL CUSTOMS.
the Spanish word Tor coffin Is GAIA, box and
IN reality 1t Is box, with hinges locks and keys.
The near relatives OF deceased person do assist
at the funerals here; an intimate friend generally
service Is terminated takes the keys and presents
them to the nearest relative Of the deceased.
CHURCH OF ATOCHA.
The Atocha where the remains Of Prim are de.
posted was built A. D. 1928 Tor the Dominican
irars an and was their monastery This church is ia.
nous Tor the celebrated image OF the Virgin, which
has always been revered by Spanish m0narchs II
was while on Visit to this shrine that Isabella H..
the ex-Queen, was stabbed Dy the priest MerinO.
The Spanards attribute innumerable miracles to the
protecting influence Of this image, which Is said TO
have expelled devil from boy named Bias, gave
speech to dumb beggar, to say nothing OF having
raised c0bbers son from the dead, stopped ma
son In mid-air who was falling from roof and
hundred other wonderful things.
The image Is nearly black and very ancient. said
Dy some Spanish writers TO nave been carved by ST.
Luke and by others to have been brought to Spain
by st. Peter.
Above the heavy altar and around the church are
hung banners OF Spanish victories. To this church
were also carried and deposited the remains ol
Prim's political enemies, Generals O'D0nne and
NarVaeZ.