Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-06-19
Leighton, Scruton h Go.
may13-tlm

upon this ocCasi ion and would perhaps be too vast
a subject to he attempted in a single efort,and vet
the biietest consideration of 1t shows us that in III
countries and in all ages, men have been Impress
ed with this same uniform desire to honor the
memory Of the dead by some outward act, some
Visible token of gIief. thus showing that tTe i'm
pulse was given alike to Savage aod to Chr stan
by the God Of the universe, for wiser purposes
than may be known tous. To cultivate this yearn-
ing Of our natures cannot but be pleasing to that
Eve which searches the Utmost recesses of our
heats
The Roman customs were referred TO-
David sings loudly the praises OF the heroes
who rescued the bones of their King from the
hands of the enemy. Among both Greeks and
Romans the corpse clad in robes of white or ~
dress Of honor lay in state for some days before
the final ceremonies. The Greeks, more refined
than their rivals, the Romans carefully washed
and anointed the corpse, sometimes adding a
chaplet of fresh flowers and attempted with sol
emn music TO cheer on the departed spirit whose
ghostly hand was by the bounty OF kind frie nds
provided with sufficient money for the desired
journey. The picture Of a Roman funeral was
Impressive and instructive, even though there
were many things connected with IT which mod
ern civilization would condemn. The flute play
eis. the hired mourners and various ceremonies,
were well calculated IN the age IN which these
ceremonies were performed, not only to inspire
the living with respect for the memory of the
dead but to make them desire 10 - live that they
also might be allowed the full measure of honor
accorded to those who had gone before Perhaps
the most touching of the ceremonies connected
with a Roman funeral, was the eulogy Of the de-
ceased, which was usually pronounced by rela
tive, whose Familiarity with the subject enabled
HIM fully and faithfully TO recount TO the specta-
tors not only the noble deeds OF him they mourn
ed, but those of hi. ancestors, back TO the remot
est generation. Even the North American In
dams were imbued with this same pure and noble
sentiment, and It was none other which prepared
with so much solicitude the pipe and bowl and
bow and arrow for the dc al warrior, whose spiilt
was TO hunt in other and better lands.
The care which the Egyptians bestowed upon
the embalmi ng of tue bodies Of the dead that
the mummIos of Egypt have now become mer-
chandise, shows that they too did not fail to be at
fected by this peculiar sentiment TO which have
ferred. 1t was a peculiar belief, but one to which
they chung with nyelding tenacitv, that the tomb
was mans home forever after death, and fer this
reason they spared no skill to make his body as
enduring as the sepulchre itself The monuments
reared to the memory of the dead in past ages are
among the finest specimens of art aud industry
the world has ever seen. Some even erected be
fore the time OF Moses are still eXtant and are the
OILY visible remains of nations long since passed
away. The pyramids of the desert, the sphinNes
and winged lions, the catacombs of Egypt and of
Rome will remain ages after the other archtec-
tutal efforts of the men who built them shall have
crumbled to dust. The vandalism of the epubli-
cans of Paris which pulls down statues and burns
the palaces of royalty, rellgiously spares the sleep
ing llaces of the dead. The expresses planted ut
the head OF every grave until the solemn groves
on the Asiatic shore of the Bosphorus attest the
sentiment OF a people whose peculiar religious
faith teaches reverence tJr the dead a. one OF itS
strongest tenets.
10 Switzerland and Hungary the humblest graves
are adorned with flowers and groves OF ornament
al trees and shrubs invite the mOurners beneath
their grateful shade. Partisan art has made beau
tilu the last resting place of the residents OF "he
o. m OuDllS and the beautiful Clurchy =
of England have long attested well the fine
sentiment the good taste of this great people
Savage nations have selected shaded groves and
have consecrsted them with solemn rites as the
homes of the dead.
Heather and christian, roya!st and republican
have in times past as we have seen, alike accorded
to the dead some tribute OF respect, some lecog
milton of the good deeds they performed while
living, that might remain fitting lesson to pos
teriiy. That oriental sautation MAY you die
among your kindred had 10 it depth of mean
ing which can be fully appreC ated by those OF YOU
who have knelt by the side of a dying comrade
be babe you convey his last sad message those he
left behind.
We see in every branch of the human race and
in every phase of human character the same
erentlai awe and pinu> respect for the memory o.
the dead. Ii the Greeks and mans dcu:ei the
right OF burial to traitors. desefteIs and parrcides
the early christians to ntde's ami idDlators the
Jews TO blasphemers aud usurers. they were al
tpudill hculbus W u'uuI uifiuplN OF tnOse VINO
living were an honor to them>e YES and benefit
to mankind
Referring to the beautiful custom of decorating
the graves of soldiers with flowers the orator
closed with an eloquent allu-ion to the fitting
tribute of the offering of floral gifts keeping fresh
and sacred the memories of those we loved.
The General spoke with great power and ease,
and from the standpoint of genuine soldier. Al
though the audi nee stood during its delivery
there was not the slighes, indication of weariness
and at the close the General was greeted with APP
plaa-e Alter piece FROM the Band Mr.. Upjohn
pronounced the benediction, aud the services
closed
The entire service; were conducted with mill
taiy exsctness and promptness, under the drec.
ton of Gen. Triton. The graves, one hundred
and eighty eight in number, received profuse
decoration of flowers.
A promenade concert at the Band stand, on
the Home grounds, was given by the National
Bend, under the direction of its leader, Mr. ].
w. Wales. The following were the selections,
which were performed with mastery accuracy
and brillancy:
|. March-Storm Column, Refer
,. Selections-FIom w lillian Tell. Rossini.
3. Walz, Levy.
PART H.
4. Overture-Crown Diamonds, Auber
5. Serensde. .9f. Verdi.
8. Finale-National Airs.
After the concert, Gen. and Mrs. Tion gave
reception at their beautiful nome, which was
largely attended. .-I
Mr. Vickery is putting in the cellars for his new
houses on Sewall street. He is doing good
thing for The community in thus providing excel
lent tenement houses for the people, instead OF
locking mp his money in vaults, as altogether too
many of our capitalists do.
Blackberries are TO be very plenty this season.