Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-01-26
The Remains Of Napoleon Ill.

The London Telegraph has long account oil
the memorial services at Chiselhnrst on the 9th
instant. on the occasion Of the first anniversary
of the death of the Emperor Napoleon. After
disposing of the large number OF persons attend
lug, despite the rain and wind, and the celebra-
ton of the Mass of requiem, the Telegraph
says:
At length the moment came Tor the re moval
of the body to the little chapel, and now, while
the choir sang sottly the members of the In
peraI household grouped themselves around
the coffiu, and preceded by the priests and Dish.
CD, surrounded by caDdlcs, aud amid cloud OF
incense, bore it slowly to its last rcst,ng-place.
1t is said to have been the wish of the late En-
pcror that he should be laid upon trenoh Soil.
even though be might be buried IN England,
ard 10 Obedience to this DESIRE which was con-
sonant with the feelings Of the Imperial family
earth had been brought from the garden OF the
TuilcrieS aud placed in bed at the bottom OF
the sarcophagus, Into this the coffin was lower
ed. The bishop, duly attired in white robe
aud pail, advanced, and scattering upon it a
little French soil incensed the tomb and pro-
pouuced absolution The Prince Imperial,
who had remained spectator of the ceremony
from the place he first occupied here almost
broke down under the emotions which crowded
upon him, and it was nearly a minute ere he
could be called upon to approach the tomb OF
his father. Meanwhile Father Goddard had
advanced tn The vestry, aud now appeared on
the ahar steps supporting the widowed empress
who was bitterly weeping. The Bishop attend.
ed bv the priests, came forward at this moment
and, placing the hand of her Majesty 10 that Of
her son, conducted her to the little chapel,
when she took last long look at the cothu,
sprinkled it with holy waller, aud then retired,
followed by the Prince and his suite. Hereup-
on the congregation moved gradually forward
passing Que by one through Chapel le Ardeute,
each in turn taking advantage OF the privilege
accorded of throwing little consecrated Water
upon the coffin, and so quitting the eulhce
by small door which opens into the church
yard.
The imperial household had, however, yet
another duty to perform, to which only a few
of the friends of the late Emperor were admit
ed as witnesses Fondly hoping that the day
might yet come when the remains OF Napoleon,
like those OF his great uncle, will rest beneath
the dome of the Invalides, they deemed it their
duty to insure that the body should not be sur
reptitiously removed, and thus it was that 10
their presence the slate slab which forms the
iuuer iuing to the cover Of the sareophagus
was fastened in its place with cement, the four
covers being further secured with black Wax,
stamped with the imperial seal. Nothing now
remaiuded but to place the top of the tomb in
its place, which was done, and the members OF
the household who had witnessed this last Ger
emory left the church aud returned to the
Camden house.
The only Inscription which the sarcophagus
bears is, Napoleon Ill, r. [. P" Legend
there is uoue, nor is there any list of titles,
mention of his country, or date of death. Even
the imperial arms are not displayed the name
and prayer which the letters represent, alone
bearing witness to the fact that one Of the Ma
poeons is inferred iu the Catholic church of St.
Mary at Chisehurst.