The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-29
BARNEY WILLIAMS.
The Last of Jne Of the Nest Popular
Irish Comedians.
IMPRESSIVE FUNERAL CEREMONIES.
The Sermon, the Music and the
Attendance

that will long ingcr the minds OF many-took place
yesterday in ST. stephens church. attended by all the
elements that popularity, friendship and grief could
suggest. more imposing ceremonial, more demon
and heartfelt exhibition OF the inner feelings OF
mankind which tho loss OF something good and
generous in its occasionally awakcns has seldom
marked tho nnal disposition OF the remains Of
than that which ushered TO the grave all that
mortal OF the famous Irish comedian II may not have
been his genius that appealed the multitude In the
church yesterday which throngcd to tho doors and
away beyond them by sympathizng friends; IT may
not, indeed. have been any OF those peculiar qualities
of greatness In which the people stand
that attracted the rich ana tho poor to tho last
sad rites which impressive yet
more glorious and anectonatc trbute--that tribute
which good hearledness, nobility OF soul
and ibcrality alone crcaic--has rarely wit
messed in the city OF New York. HIS end had como,
aud with tho recollection OF all that good
tcmpatc--a young and fricndcss artist lighting the
battle Of life with aror struggling
through forest OF thorns aud briars, and finally
emerging into the clear highway OF prosperity aud
fame, leaving stain belinda credit to ha probes
sion and an honor his home II is surprising,
therefore, that the obsequcs OF such should cali
forth decided expression OF regret that which
occurred ST. Stephens and in years 1t will
be cited remarkable for its solcmnty, and,
alton with which 1t was surrounded.
From early hour tho spacious church, especially
the galleries. was crowded to its utmost limits, and
although IL announced that tho ceremonies would
not commence until eleven O'Clock there was scarcely
standing fully hall an hour before that time. The
nssemhlagc had many component parts, for the
lamented deceased was welcomed friend In every
quarter Every profession was. indeed. lttingly rep
resented and it Is exaggeration say that artist
ever borne his last home from this city had sur
rounding his remains such an intellectual large and
rcgrctful body belonging to the theatrical profession
as that present yesterday. Names would, indeed, BIO
| illtmcd.
All the prominent artists In New York and its vicln-
ity attendance, and the notification posted in
the grccnrooms oil the theatres OF tho city requesting
the presence OF the various companies implicitly
and lovingly complied with There also In the
church those renowned In arts and sciences represcn
tatve soldiers, lawyers and OF high standing In
the world but the least conspicuous feature OF the
vast congregation tho surgng OF tho poor, 10
whom Barney Williams bountcous friend
The rshcrs did their duty nobly There was coniu
sion and great as the pressure from tho outside
process Of seating the urgent though decorous and
respectable thrvng carried out with signal
All seemed to recognize the sadness Of the occasion,
with betting submission accepted that which
seemed best To the efforts OF Mr.. George Hoey the
ADMIRABLE ARRANGEMENTS
assisted in his arduous duties by Mr. Collier, OF
Booths Theatre; Mr. Burroughs, OF the Union Square
Thcatre Mr. Holland, Of Waiinck's Theatres Mr.. Drew,
OF the Fifth Theatre; Mr. Langley, OF tho Park
Theatre; Mr. Seymour Fitch, OF the " ailack Club; Mr.
Bates aud Mr.. Hail. Nothing could BIO more cd,iying
or mournfuy suggestive OF the sad and solemn task
about TO be performed than that which itself
prior to the arrival OF tho cor.cgetho immense
throng. wrapt IN silence; the beautiful altar, with It's
appropriate drapcry and surroundings, and the floral
display tho vicinity of the cataiaIque. And
display words would fail convey an idea OF TINS
o A
ton OF floral taste has, perhaps never been NJ
emScms EXPRESSIVE or opprecia.ou rendsnn
| lovo and sorrow. the sweet scented flowers sent
forth fragrance sotening the oppressveness
| Of the crowded church and elIciting the silent
admiration OF the great throng Tho scene was,
deed, well calculated 10 enlist attention. and before tho
remains arrived the eyes OF the multitude riveted
the beautiful, though significant, display. At the
head Of the cataalquc was placed an artsticaly con-
structcd floral cushion, surmounted by crown OF tho
whi,est flowers The inscription tho cushion in
volcs was darling Husband" Az the foot was
over which was nung wreath Of white roses, bearing
In volcts the words, my Papa" This the design
of Mr. W. ). Florence as an appropriate token from the
| devoted little daughter OF tho deceased The other
tributes were In equal harmony and included tasteful
contributions from representatives OF tho theatrical
profession In this city and elsewhere, and many veil
| THE FUNERAL coRrrGE.
II fully twenty minutes past eleven o'clock when
tho funeral cor,ege entered the church. Perhaps
thousand persons visited tho residence " Mr.
| Williams during the morning On every nand could
be heard expressions Of gratitude and regret The
friends and admirers Of the great comedian topk last
look the remains, aad the affecting In the
extreme. Mr.. w. J. Florence. who mad charge OF the
funeral arrangements, having gently led tho wife and
mother away at last kissed the forehead his de-
carriages IN attendance conveyed the the
church, aud as the corcgc moved up the centre
aisle the entire assemblage rosc 10 their
feet On tho lid of the collin lay EBONY cruclx. tho
figure OF tho Saviour being IN silver The organ pealcd
solemn a"se ana soa sa ssene ne was VERY i'm
General Fremont, Judge John X. Brady; Mr. John
Brougham. Mr. stephen J. Mcany Of the Montreal sun;
Lesser walack Mr.. II. J. Montague DR. Orlando Thomp-
son and Mr. j. d. Murphy. Of Philadelphia. Following
these the family and relatives Of the deceased,
and many u tear shed a. The mournul party took
their seats In the vicinity OF the altar.
CEREMONIES
wcro carried out with all the grandeur and so!cmnty
characteristic Of the Roman Catholic Church. just
the last strains funeral drec died away the pro-
ccsson issued from tho vcstry. The officiating clergy
man was Rev Henry Mcdowell. Rev. Father Pratt,
deacon, aud the Rev Father MccauIcy subdeacon aud
Rev Father Costigan ncting master OF
In tho vicinity OF the altar he Right Rev. Bishop
| Longhin, Of Brooklyn; Rev. Dr. Mcylynn, Rev. Fa
! Their ANTONIO, R~v Father Mcdonnell Rev. Father
Drumgood and other clergymcn. The solemn requiem
( hsn mass commenced at about halt past eleven
grand ceremony That ensucd II was indeed, sugscs-
i've from beginning 10 end, and none present could
was icsooned with smiax and al head stood
delabrum with seven Candles burning.
The musical ceremonies oil The Catholic Church. In
mus cal point OF view arc always Interesting They
arc especially 20 wncn such work as the 'Requicm"
OF Mozart Is selc ctcd The musical services Ste
phcns church yesterday were oppressive the high
degree The choir was composed of double quar-
let Of voices with well selected chorus the solosrs
were Mc Anna Rosctti, Nine. Gilbert, sopran; Mile.
McunIer, Mllc Romans. contrat, Messrs Troeckcr
and zincard TENOR; hessrs rsilc and R'edcl bassL
Nine. Clark sang Luzzi's ave Maria toward the close
OF the When The body WINS brought into the
church tho orsanist Mr. Daniorh, played the Marche
Fundbrc " iron piano OF Chopin. As tho long
procession paIbcarcrs weeping friends and sorrowlng
relatives Of the deceased passed NJ the aisc the waiting
church. The organist was evidently mbued with the
spirit OF the OCCASION for never before nave We heard
this lovely poem interpreted with moro feeling
aud expression. Then The grandcst OF all re-
QUEENS q work grand that even hction has been
enhance It's artistic yaluo. Flo
ton writer's have written extensively on this work.
Every ono about the Nephstophcean stranger