, 1872-10-20

Long before 8 funeral procession comes in
sight, the ear catches the low monotonous chant
robes bearing the crucih4 and ecclesiastical in
sigma, in presence OF which every head is un-
covered, and every hand makes the sign OF
the cross. The corpse is exposed to fuu
view IN an open coffin Of Light NJ 1na-
with silver or gilt decorations, fhe cover
Of which,, marked with long diagonal
cross, is carried before the procession. The
body is dressed in the customary clothes Of tho
deceased the head slightly elevated, and tho
hands folded in front OF panel picture OF the
Virgin set up on the breast. II it is q female,
the cheeks and lips are painted vernilion, IN
tended to reproduce natural expression, but
which gives to the corpse an artificial and ghast-
exposure Of the dead in Oriental countries,
Of exhibiting to the glare of day,
and amidst the whirl and insensib1ity
Of the public street, the features Of deceased
person who in life may have been known only
the remains, At Greek funerals the hearse il
not generally employed, and the Light open
casket is borne BY the hands Of the neareae
friends Of the deceased, while the other mourn
they literally carry and accompany, rather thsn
follow, their friend to the grave, and gaze
upon the face which WIS once dear to them
up to tho moment when be Is laid in
bis last resting place. The, funerals
Of the poor are even more touching TO behold
single priest, perhaps, performs the chant,
and half dozen mourners, representing the lit
tie household, bear between them the coffin,
which is composed Of the cheapest matariA, and
covered With white muslin When person Of
distinguished position dies, the funeral process
sion becomes an imposing spectacle, with the
Bishop and priest in their gorgeous sacp1dotal
robes, numerous lighted candles, and martini
music. once saw the body OF 3 venerable
b Bishop ct the lous Gessa oSh sass 4sss
Of Athens he Was seated in his
Bishops chair, elevated above the people, and
was clothed in his canonical robes, with miIe on
head and the crosier uplifted in his hand. l.
cloth around the forehead bound it to the back
Of the chair, but not sufficiently close to prevent
the head from bobbing up and down, as If the dead
mans pale and rigid features were salnting, for
tho last time, the people among whom he had ex-
ercised his holy Office for over threesco1e years-
peculiar honor accorded to his ecclesiastical
rank. Tho deed-chiehy from climatic consid-
erations-are buried within twenty four hours
Of their decease. This is very shocking to
complied with within less time than the Law re-
quires. Indeed the feeling is, that the sooner
the painful duty is over, and the house freed
from the distressing spectacle OF q corpse, the
sooner will the minds Of the mourners be re-
deved from association with what is repulsive,
and return to the inward contemplation ot their
friend, as they knew him in life. Thus it
often happens that the first in
timation of death is conveyed in thazprinted
to the funeral I have con-
versed with gentleman at an evening party,
who appeared to be in the highest enjoyment of
physical health, and the day following Witnessed
bis interment, he having expired in the mean
lime from apoplexy. I had once q business ap-
to fulfil it, met his dead body coming down the
a0or-step8 I WAS sitting one evening at tha