New-York tribune., 1872-12-05
v-YORK. THURSDAY. DECEMBER s. 1872


of the City Of New-York, presented by tho Common
Council. The pulpit itself and the rail in front
were fully draped. Drapery around the front OF
the galleries. and from bracket to bracket along the
side walls. Lengths of serge dropped from the CEN
ter of the ceiling to the spring of each arch twlned
about the columns, and hung from the pinnacles OF
the organ The clock, stopped at ten minutes before
seven. the hour of Mr. Greeley's death, was sur
rounded with black and above it, in green wreath,
was a white cross of dowcF.
The pew which Mr. Greeley used to occupy. about
midway of the north aisle, next the wall, was
draped with Grape The figure, in flowers of a Tyre
with broken strings presented by Miss Lizzie Ster-
Ing hung at the head. The seat was thicky strewn
with white flowers camelias being placed in the spot
which Mr.. Greeley himself used to occupy. This
pow will be left empty for thirty days.
The most remarkable decorations Of the church
however were the flowers.
THE FLOWERS.
II every person who has dropped tear at the death
Of our great chief, who has mourned for him with
sincere and heartfelt sorrow, had been allowed to
send TO the church where took leave OF him even
a single rosebud to be lald, tender token beside
his bier there would have beenno room there for the
throng of mourning people Asit is, he can scarcely
find sweeter moro abundant blossoms in the land
rounded yesterday all we had left of him on earth.
The church, with all its floral decorations, was a
strangely beautiful sight. About and within
the chancel were collected the largest and most
beautiful of those lovely gifts which reyerent
hands had brought there to exhale their souls
Of sweetness round the body whose sonl had fed
Mr.. Greeley had been man who, clear thinker
and strong writer, and great editor as he was, had
vet fond time to love all the fair and pleasant
things of Nature to for flowers, and fruit and
waving grain aud there was beautiful approprl-
ateness and personal significance in many
OF the devices which surrounded his bier
magnificent arch of white flowers presented
by the ladies of DIR. Chapin's congega-
ton, spanned the pulpit, over the speakers
head On its white ground was wrought in crimson
blossoms tho legend, 81 know that my Redeemer
liyetbp Indeed these words, and "It is done,"
were repeated again and again in the decorations in
all sorts of devices At the right of the pulpit
stood gift from the Common Council-a large
stand. of which the whole top was composed OF the
choicest flowers, rosebuds, and camelias and tube
roses, surmounted by crown wrought from the same
lovely blossoms A similar stand and crown was the
gift Of Mayor Hall, and another came from the Lin
coin Club The Lotos, the Union League, and The
Herald clubs were represented by appropriate
offerings. From the German Greeley and Brown
Club came an immense quill, wrought in the choicest
flowers.
One of the most remarkable Of the tributes was
plow composed of camelias and white roses with
groundwork of violets and other modest blossoms,
made by Gordon Brothers. This beautiful design
was the gift of the employees ofTHE TRIBUNE count
groom. Among the most conspicuous offerings
was a magnificent floral tablet, 81 feet wide, stand
ing about six feet from the oor and presenting the
appearance of picture supported by columns OF
which the frame consisted of violets and tea-rose-
buds. The ground of the tablet was formed of the
choicest white flowers inscribed at the top with the
words, 1t is done :" in the center, Il know that
my Redeemer Iveth" On the reverse were the
letters. "H. g." and the motto, In memoriam."
The inscriptions were in red flowers. The columns
were covered with smilax, interspersed with
white flowers This tablet. designedby
lady, was presented by THE Tribune AS
sociation." 1t was executed by Messrs. Klunder
& Long, the same florists who furnished the decora-
tions for the birthday festival of Mr. Greeley in Feb
ruary last. and who freely bestowed their artistic
skill in its preparation personal tribute to the
memory of the departed.
But the chronicle Of all the gifts which loving
hearts had sent would be too long list. From one
an anchor. from a croSs, from another wreath.
and-one of the most exquisite of the deyices-from
still another broken shaft, which stood upon the
pulpit About the coffin itself were arranged the
gifts of the closest personal friends. Among them,
one of the most beautiful was wreath Of ivy
starred with viocts. The air was full of the sweet
breath of these flowers which, tomorrow. would be
az dead rs our dead leader. They were thick under
the feet which trod 80 reverenty, they bore him
away they filed every available space with their
beauty-a beauty which having loved once, he must
love to-day for surely he too was there, seeing,
with eyes that had grown clear in the new mornings
light the grief with which we mourncd the honor
with which we honOred him.