New-York tribune., 1872-12-04

mind to reverence, but not 10 gloom; ana the pale,
carewOrn, omaciated features of the dead were
plainly distuguishable. The coffin is black cloth
covered casket richly but not elaboratey fitted with
silver handles and silver rims, and lined with white
satin. Mr. Greeley was dressed in full suit of
black. His right hand rested on his breast his left
arm was extended by his side. The withered fingers,
the pinched features the sharp set mouth, so differ
ent from what we remember of him in life, told
more forcbly than words could tell il the story Of
his suferngs his WEAKNESS, and his happy release.
The coffin lid was thrown back upon its
hinges leaving the whole of the body
exposed to view. narrow dais perhaps foot and
a half high covered with black drapery, received
the casket. There were lights about it, no orna-
ments of any kind. guards but the police, who
patiently courteousy, and faithfully did duty all
day long. Ii stood in the center cngthwise of the
room and tables at the head and foot-relics OF the
Congress of eighty years ago-held the beautiful
offerings of flowers which reyerental and affection
ate hands kept bringing from morning till the day
was far spent. The Common Council represented
in this matter by Assistant Alderman COnnor) sent
two magnificent structures of flowers; one, placed
at the foot of the coffin, was huge disk of white
and green on which was represented in purple ever
laStings the coat Of arms of the City of NewYork,
with this legend around it: "The city mourns its
and crown, resting on a wide pediment which
bore the text, 81 know that my Redeemer lveth"
Behind this, draped with Grape was imperial
photograph Of Mr.. Greeley and behind and above
the photograph lowered a rich cross and crown, the
gift of Mayor Hall. Graceful strings of smilax,
mixed with tube-rOses twined about the edges of
the coffin and crept along by the body, and the
place was redOlent of sweet perfumes and bright
with pure and beautiful blossoms Later in the day
came offerings from many other sources. The girls
of Grammar School No. sent q large anchor of
flowers with the motto, "Fama semper vivat" " Mrs.
Thomas n. Rocker and Mrs. Benjamin +. Manierre
sent rich tributes in appropriate forms.
TIE MULTITUDE.
Long before the simple preparations were com
pete the crowd in the Park had swollen to enormous
proportions Capt. Leary of the Twenty-siXth Pre-
cinct with detail of 100 from various parts of
the city, took charge of the arrangements and under
his supervision the most perfect order was main
tanned. The people were formed IN line. two
abreast from the front gates of the Hail. across the
esplanade, westward to Broadway and thence up
town. Officers at various points along the line pre-
vented unnecessary crowding and kept the queue
unbroken. The whole space in front Of the Hall
was soon filed with idle spectators, and before long
it became necessary to clear wide space, put up
o'clock was the hour fixed upon for the
doors to be opened; but the multitude increased so
rapidly that 10 or Is minutes before that time the
head of the line was admitted. The people passed
up the main staircase through a double line OF po
lice entered the room in single file passed rapidly
around the eofin andwent out by the western door,
down the narrow stairs by the Chamber of the Board
of Aldermen, and through the basement, and so out
on tho Broadway side. No one was allowed to
loter and so quietly and expedtiously was the pas
sage made that it was found by actual count that
from 45 to 80 persons passed through the every
minute. OF nearly 5000 an hour
A guard of honor had been appointed to-watch-
the remains while the people came TO look upon
them 1t comprised Gen. John 4. DIX, the Hon.
VIM. F. Havemeyer. ThurlOw Weed, George w.
Varian, VIM. Bntler Duncan, \. I. Stewart, Abra-
ham r. Lawrence, VIM. j. Hoppin, Wm Cullen
Bryant Henry Nicol, Peter Cooper, VIM. b. Astor.
Thomas f. Stewart Horatio Seymour John McKeon
Samuel Tilden, Sheppard Knapp, John I. Hoffman,
A. Oakley Han, Moses II GrnDell, Charles OConor
Emil Sauer. Augustus Schell. VIM. NJ Evarts Chas
p. DAILY. and William c. Prime and to these were
added by the request Of Miss Ida Greeley, Mr.. John
b. Stuart of Tarrytown and Mr.. Edward j. CaTpen-
ter of Chappaqua. The first to arrive early in the
morning were Gen. John A. Dix and Mr. Augustus
Schell All through the day and evening several
members of this guard of honor, relieving each
other sat about the room. Committees from the
Aldermen and Assistant Aldermen, and deputies
from the guard of honor of the Typographical Union
were constantly present These, with the officers
on duty and representatives of the editorial stan OF
The TRIBUNE, were the persons appointed 10 keep
watch over the departed chief.
In less than an hour from the time Of opening the
oates the double line reached through the City
Hall. through the Park and four blocks up Broad
way. And what multitude it wasl Much as we
all knew of the popular esteem for Horace Greeley,
much as we expected Of the demonstrations ON such
an occasion Us that Of yesterday we were not pre-
pared for this immense outpouring of the people.
For it was, in the truest sense of the word, the
people who crowded yesterday about the bier OF
their champion. The millionaire walked side by
side with the crossing sweeper Famous lawyers
kept step with ragged boOtblacks. Ladies in silk
and fur came behind the shop-girl in her faded
worsted shawl 1t cannot be said that any one class
predominated in this extraordinary multitude, un-
less it be that the working people were more
numerous than the well-to-do and the idlers But
all classes were there, and all seemed to feel
the sorrow of the day. An old lady approached the
coffin. gave one quick glance at the poor, wasted
face then raised her hand to her eyes and hurried
away. with tears streaming down her cheeks; she
could not trust herself to lnger even for an instant
An old gentleman leaned over the coffin and plated
his hand reverently upon the dead mans brow
MANY stopped to kiss. Several gave way to extrav-
a0ant outbursts of grief. Men brought their little
children, and lifted them up that they might look
al the good Horace Greeley and then hurried away
blinded by their tears. Stalwart policemen not on
duty. fell into line, and came out from the room
with moist eyes and quivering lips. Once or twice
lond cries of sorrow were heard and some OF those