Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-03-21


Arthur's coffin is said by some
writer's to have been the entire
trunk # an oak; by others, to have
been tiic INK Of an alder tree.
In the Norman times 1t was the
custom to bury monks in the bare
ground. Later, stone collins were
used. These were triangular, and
in many of them there was cir
cular space to receive the head.
The daughter of the Duke of
Medina CoeIi was buried in cof-
fin of rare Indian wood, which
was put into blue velvet bag and
crossed with moliair and cords Of
silver threads. Strings Of silver
threads fastened the bag at either
end, and the top was then COW
cred with rich pail.
Alexapder's coffin was the finest
ever made, aud longer time was
expended in making ready for the
funeral than it takes now to for
get the death of an ordinary indi-
vidual. Two years were required
to complete the arrangements, and
millions of dollars-as we reckon
noney--were used i'm the work.
The coffin was of beaten gold, so
wrought by the hammer as to
answer the proportions Of the
body. II was half filled with aro-
matte spices, which served as well
to delight the SENSES as to preserve
the body. Over the coffin was a
cover of gold, SO wrought as to fit
the top perfectly. Over this was
thrown II purpl" coat embroidered
with gold. The triumphal arch
was of gold, studded with precious
stones. Under the roof of this
arch WAS set a throne of gold Joined
to the main work beneath and
about the arch was hung various
coIored gems.
Funeral Orations were not al
lowed to be pronounced at the flu
nerals of women in Rome unit
the Senate issued a decree render
ing public thanks to the Roman
matrons, and also granting the
privilege of having eratiOns pro-
n0unced i'm their honor on the oc-
cassiOn OF their deaths. This ex-
treme kindness was shown them
because, on a certain occasion,
these good ladies made a large
contribution OF their gold and
jewels at a time when a stipulated
sum had to be paid to the Gauls.
Little difference is made nova
days between the funeral services
Of men and women, aud only the
station in life of the family of the
dead decides he show to be made
over them. Wealth delights in
honoring Itself. even at tho grave;
and 80 prevalent is the custom
that no sacrifice is deemed too
great to secure rich funeral, ev-
en- for those who in life never
knew luxury.
How pernicious this custom has
grown can only be realized by
those who have had it come home
to them. The wretchedness en-
gendered by blind adherence to
the folly has awakened much
thought on the subject, and hui
manifarians are using their in
fiuence to discourage the practice.
"Dying is more expensive than
living" is common saying; and
certainly it is true that but very
small proportion of the people
can really pay their own burial
expenses. 1t comes out of the
pockets of those who survive
them; and many times all regret
fer the dead is lost in the cruel tax
that is laid upon survivors.
Collins are no longer plain box
es, but deliberately pillowed and
curtained and cushioned caskets,
and the price of one is often the
years salary of the poor.
Nor will there be a change in
this particular until large man.
ufactories are opened, and collins
are made and sold just as are pi-
amos and sewing machines. Com
petition will bring down the price
of collins, and a general traffic in
these will o. en- the eyes of the
public to the nonsensi,al senti-
ment INDUCED in respecting
their purchase.
nrrnD oITpDAAN uTo TTNun