The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-26
COUNTESS M0NTIJ0S OBSEQUIES.

EuGENIE's MOTHER FOLLOWED TO THE GRAVE
BY coURTIERs, STATESMEN, AMBASSADORS
AND GRANDEEs OF spA1N-ANTIouE cERE-
MoNIAL-sIx HUNDRED CARRIAGES OF
MoURNERs.
CBY CABLE TO THE HERALD
MADRID, Nov. 25, 1879.
The obsequies of the Countess Montijo,
mother Of the ex-Empress Eugene, were held
here yesterday. They were attended by all the
distinguished people in Madrid, by all the am
bassadors, by the Duke of Tetuan, Minister
of State; the Count of Cosse Brissac, rep,
rcsentative of the Empress Eugenie; by
the Duke Of Ternan-Nuiiez and all the leading
members of the French colony and many
French travellers passing through the capital.
The Duke of AlYa and the Duke of Huascar
ceived the distinguished mourners in con-
servatory attached to the Montijo Palace in
the Plaza de los Angeles, where, in q chapeAe
aydemte, was superb catafalque The body
lined with silver lace and covered with cloth
and cushion of golden tissue. The catafalque
was hung with rich stuffs of yellow satin,
broidered in colors and adorned with rich work
of silver Two halberdiers of the royal cham
Der and guard watched at it's head and two at
its foot. A procession surrounded the coffin,
ap<cr Il md hold fbo Hrbf hot
are customary in these ceremonies. A solemn
mass of the angels was being sung when the
doors were opened to the mourners, many of
whom were weeping and all Of whom were
deeply moved.
SETTING WATCH AND WARD.
The opening ceremonies were conducted by
whom according to the quaint Spanish usage,
the body was delivered. The Duke of Alva add
vanced and said in q clear voice, ~ deliver
over to Your Excellency. in compliance with
the wish of the family of the deceased, the body
of Her Excellency the Countess of Montjo. Do
you take charge OF it :"
charge of it,"
Then the Condo, in turn, addressed the royal
body of halberdiers, who were present in full
uniform, and said:-
"Monteros of the royal chamber and guard,
do you take charge of the body of the Countess
Montijol"
The halberdiers responded, 1--WE do take
charge of it."
The usual prayers were chanted and the
coffin raised from its bed. 1t was then car
ried through the midst of the mourn ers
to the head Of the staircase, where
it was received by the halberdiers, and
by them placed in beautiful cstufa (hearsc) of
massive mahogany, richly decorated with
branches and garlands of flowers, with hang
ings of white satin and tasscls of gold The
gildcd edges of tho coffin CLEANED in the sun
light.
IN SOLEMN PROCESSION.
The hearse was drawn by eight horses. On
their heads were nodding plumes wherein black
and gold were strangely contrastcd. The
sumptuous carriage which the Countess had
used on state oc casions followed slowly
behind the estufa, and her favoritc
horses heads were decorated with pink
aud white feathers. Then came company of
Kings halbcrdicrs. The chief mourncrs fol-
lowed in two carriages. They were the Duke of
Alva, the Count of Cosse Brissac, the
Count of Guitant Commines and two
representatives of the family Of Alva. Be-
hind them was magnificent defe of
six hundred cqupagcs BY the law of the Span.
ish ritual neither ladies nor tho nearest rela-
tves were allowed to join the procession. The
Court was fully represented. There were
mayor domos aud life guards, lords