The New York herald., 1872-12-15
Imposing Ceremonies in st. Fran
els Xavier's Church.
SERMON BY FATHER DUBREssE.
The Last Act i'm Il Sad
Tragedy.
Conclusion Of the Fire Mar.
shal's Investigation.

the bodies Of the victims OF the disaster were con-
signed TO their last resting place in Calvary Gene
terry. At nine O'Clock an unusual spectacle could
be witnessed in front OF the Morgue at Bellevue
Hospital. Drawn up at the gates were eight
hearses, hearse for each body that was to be
buried. The remains had been removed the pre-
vious evening from the hospital c0fins to those
that were furnished by the Fifth Avenue Hotel pro-
prietors, SO that everything might be in readiness
when the undertaken should arrive. They were
quickly transferred to the hearses, which slowly
moved away from the gates when they had re-
ceived their contents.
THE MORNING WAS BITTERLY COLD,
but, Notwithstanding, a dense crowd OF spectators
assembled on Twenty sixth street, which waited
patiently until the last trace OF the mournful cav
alcade mad disappeared from sight. When the
hearses had gone the crowds dispersed and the
Morgue resumed the appearance it usually pre-
sents, except in cases Of extraordinary excite
ment. Not since the memorable West1eld disaster
have there been such scenes to be witnessed at the
hospital as during the past week. and it is to be
fervently hoped that it will be long ere another
tragedy SO mournful and heartrendng will call
forth the sympathy and curiosity OF the populace.
ON THE ROUTE TO THE CHURCH
the streets were lined with people, and the
windows OF the houses were filed with spectators
Those who did not know what the strange procession
meant paused in wonder while the eight nearses
were passing but the explanation was soon forth
coming. ut Is the funeral OF the poor victims Of
the Fifth Avenue Hotel fire." In front Of the Church
OF ST. Francis Xavier In West Sixteenth street. the
FRIENDS OF THE DECEASED
were drawn up awaiting the arrival OF the cortege
A small force OF police kept order, and there was
hearses arrived at the church the collins were
taken out and, amid solemn silence. carried into
along the middle aisle. The. sight presented
on entering was peculiarly affecting one
Dask altar in White n@s
The candles were encircled in black, with white
rosettes in the centre, while the sides of the gal;
principally with the friends OF the deceased and
their fellow servants. As many OF the latter as
the hotel were allowed to be present, and the faces
Of all OF them wore an expression OF Sadness COM
bined with thankfulness at their own narrow
FROM THE AWFUL FATE
which befel the girls whose remains lay before
them. Mingled with the servants were a number
OF fashionably dressed females, who devoutly
mingled their prayers with those OF the ollciating
tunate girls. The galleries were well filed prin-
cipally with spectators who came attracted by
curiosity, who are always to be found on hand
when there is a sensation in the wind. On each
side OF the head OF the first coffin three candles
were burning. solemn requiem hlgn mass s'.o was
his mourning vestments. AS the services pro,
fss1 eP2e e broken now and
THE SERMON.
At the conclusion of the mass Father Dubresse
iivered the following address. T He said:@it is a
solemn occasion that calls upon Us to be present
to-day. 1t is peculiarly solemn when SO many re-
mains are brought TO be inferred. What lessons
may we not learn from the spectace None OF us
are sure Of our lives for single moment. No one
can tell, If he is living to-day, but he may be corpse
on the morrow. What does this truth impress
upon our minds. It teaches ns't that we should have
our reliance placed on the Son Of the living God,
Hhn in ia
you know not the day or the hour" Consecrate
your lives to God; He made you and created and
your life Is spent in accordance with His word, at
the end OF 1t nothing will remain but pain and
with a w pu and kseu s m
mandments, listen to the voice OF His chosen
servants who are sent to point out the way OF the
Church, obey the ordinances OF the Church and live
gOdly lives the end will be rest and peace. The
Unfortunate victims who lie before you were most
FAITHFUL TO THEIR GOD
and attentive to His commands, and we therefore
can pray for them, in faith and hope, that God will
cling to the most Just. We have offered the sacr
nce Of the mass this morning the same sacrifice
prayed that they may be relieved from their suffer
ings. You who are friends Of the departed cease
not to pray for the repose OF their souls. Be con-
stant in your devotons by day and by night, and
| doubt not that your supplications will be efiica-
also ready, that when you called upon for your
final account you may be prepared to render an
gained the satisfaction OF your God and Father,
JOY with him blessed eternity.
At the conclusion OF the address, Father Dubresse
advanced down the aisle and sprinked sweet
INCENSE UPON THE COFFINs,
after which the services were concluded. When
the religious part OF the ceremony was over the
friends OF the dead girls filed past the remains
The inscriptions on the collins were eagerly
scanned. Many OF the women were loud in their
lamentations over the untimely fate OF their late
companions and wept bitterly. The collins were OF
plains black walnut. studded with silver screws
There decorations
kind. No MOWERS were strewn around, and, strange
to say, during the entire service there music
The names OF the girls who were buried yesterday
were Della Cummings Mary Corday, Margaret
Conners, Elizabeth Moran, Margaret Campbell,
Kate Cushing and Mary D0nnelly. The other three
victims-Mary McCabe Mary Ann Pagan and
Honora Ward-have been already Inferred by their
friends, but the expenses OF the funerals as stated
yesterday, will be borne by the proprietors OF the
hotel
forded an opportunity OF viewing the collins they
were slowly raised by the undertaken and his as
slstants and placed IN the hearses To add to the
impressivencss of the scene the windows were
darkened leaving only dim, religious light In the
edince. As each body was placed In the hearse the
street. When all had been deposited the carriages
eighteen in number, were
FILLED WITH THE SERVANTS
rom the hotel and the cavalcade moved away
The carriages were wholly Inadequate to accom-.
modate the servants who wished to attend, and
many OF the male domestics were forced to pro-
ceed on foot. The undertaken did not anticipate
that there would be such large attendance and
tege proceeded up Sixteenth street to Broadway,
and from thence to the street ferry to
Calvary Cemetery, where the remains were In
TERED. The bodies were placed In eight separate
graves, SO that any OF the relatives who in future
may wish TO claim the remains may be Afforded an
opportunity to do so.
Thus ends the last scene in the fearful tragedy OF
Tuesday, tragedy which Is almost without paral-
lei In the history OF c0nnagrat0ns. Two Of the
finest cities in the Union have within little more
than year, been partially destroyed; but while
there was vast amount OF property destroyed no
cuch mOurufu scene as that yegterday had to be
chronicled The spectators yesterday privately
prayed that such another spectacle would be never
witnessed in the city-a prayer that is fcrvent1y
echoed by all citizens; and while we say, "Peace
TO the ashes Of the Victims" may we never again
be called to write mp similar disaster and o SINH
lar funeral.
Concl usion Of the Fire MarshsI's Invcs-
tlgation.