New-York tribune., 1879-03-14
EXERCISES AT THE CITY HALL.


Tavlor belonged-the Phi Beta Kappa and
tbe Delta Kappa Epsilon-hanging between
them. From the Post Office, TIE TRIBUNE and
stats Zeitung buildings, and from other build
ings in the vicinity, the National flag was also sus
nended at half mast As early as Il o'clock, crowds
began to assemble in City Hall Park and TO gather
in front of the broad steps Of the municipal DulId
ing.
Al 12;45 a force of $50 police, section under the
command of a sergeant from each precinct. reported
10 Captaln Walsh, at the City Hall Police station
but were dismissed until p. N. Until that hour
the hall was left in charge OF the
regular police force, and III the UoVeI-
no,,s room a few members of the Guard
of Honor from Kotes Post remained on duty. Inc
crowd steadily increased, and many OF tho holders
OF tickets of admission entered the Governors q
room and quietly awaited the approach OF the fune
raj train or gazed from the balcony upon the sea oI
heads underneath. Near the centre OF the room
stood the catafalque on which the saIcophagus was
to rest. covered with black velvet, trimmed with
silver and gold lace, and tassels OF bullion Near
nv was the Offering of the Beta and NJ chapters OF
the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity-the diamond
shaped badge of the brotherhood, formed OF voiets
camelas and carnations. Among the VISITORS 10
the room was Senator BayaTd, of Delaware VINO
EXPRESSED great regret that pressing business called
him AWAY before he could testify by his presence 10
the high regard he entertained for the character
and work of Mr.. Taylor.
The crowd in front of the building had increased
70 many thousands by o'clock, and the police VINO
had returned in full force, pressed back the surgng
multitude, until the broad plaza was cleared from
broadway to Chatham-st. Two hours passed.
each moment adding 10 the thrOng. "hicn
pressed upon the police lines and stretched BACK 10
tbe roadway by the Post Office. At 6:l5 the strains
offuneral music were heard and the sad procession
headed by a detachment of Koltes POST turned
from Broadway and approached the City HAN.
The funeral-car followed and was halted IN
front of the main entrance. The sarcophagus was
removed and placed on the stone pavement AT
the foot of the entrance steps; and around it the
singers. to the number OF more than 400, together
with band, arranged themselves in elhpucal form
and sang the dirge composed for the Occasion-"Ihe
Poets Bier"
The scene was wonderfully impressive, as viewed
from the balcony above. The sun had set, but day
light still fingered, and the gathering gloom seemed
singularly in harmony with the sound of the drge
and with the occasion which words and
music commemorated. The heads of the singers
were barred to the evening breeze, and their races
were upturned toward the darkening sky. In the
centre stood the black sarcOphagus with which the
white flowers surmouuting il brightly cOntrasted
Beyond the singers stood the immovable military
hne and still beyond the eager multitude, who had
closed in upon the plaza from the rlght
and left forming half of hollow square,
the sides and angles of which were Kept
in symmetry by policemen stationed along the
lines. The dirge occupied about fifteen minutes
and was sung with fine effect. At Its conclusion
Algernon s. Sullivan, standing on the lower step
doll nrp1
ing oTatiOn:
ALGERNON g. sULLIVAN'S GRAFTON.
sted for an hour in presence OF these solemnitles
be the turbulent pulse OF busy city! fon stately
incoming ship. with flags at baf-mast, mas saeu 'ne
sea as part OF grand funeral corese Gernana sehos
back the of her beloved and adopted son 10
tender hearts OF his brothers in America; aud with
a funeral pomp not marred by the mere
e,uds OF shOw-mid the tide OF song ana
choral strains of Of voicesthe precious trust
has been borne hher to-day We have the sable puhes
we have the bier have the oerspreadlng pan ana tue
eptwinipg cypress but not one nor ALL can oppress this
scene with gloom. Our fancy scars beyond the pale
farm We have here enshrOuded TO joyous converse with
,ts now enfranchsed spirit Win GUARDS or honor we
have lain him in our most august chamber whose walls
are usrous with portraits OF eminent puDc servants
Rnt tbis ceremony does not resemble any that pre-
ceded within these halls Tor hertoOre tney were ,he
names OF SOLDIERS aDo S"Aiols anu '"i0'' ' wiz
Today obsequies the other hand; turn into fes-
tvaI o the Muses. They rise into public recognition,
Tor the first time herr, that the chief glory OF every
people arses from It's authors' By ths action we nor
anlv proudly DO homage 10 the genius OF q
prrsonal authorship brilliant Tor lndVlduaI lame,
and enrehnt the poetry nt tns tpa occpsion has
widened by it's intrinsic characler ana lts
into triumphant epthronench OF @ V Vsv' &
beokeus and II announces on the part OF Now OIK he
new birth of a civic pride In the dsunctlCn Vi our Ma
" Wnep Ravard TAYLOR left New.York for Berlin he had
more than Government sanction FROM Ihe peOp'e ne
went forth accredited 10 the Republic OF Letters Inc
Muse had passed through the chambers OF his soul ana
enI"wed him not only with lyric gts, but with unex-
amped power TO feel and INTERCHANGEABLE interpret tue
nortry OF the German and the English speaking races
nv him the mysteries the sOul-revelations the won
nj life which slime IN GOethes Faust. had beer more
than translated. They had been recmbOdlrd III EnGlsh
verse unshOrn of original truth or meaning or native
rhythm In his work Taylor had the inspiring touch
of Goelhes soul upon him 10 wrlte o tlat eAtitoI.
dinary man full ana WORTHY DiOgraphH' was hot
only fayIors assumed and partly completed TASK, IL
was so the hope o. Germany as she welcomed nm,
tbe scholars of America. Think Of the elevation OF
soul with which, in his closing days. be wrought I'D
those IreclOus labOIs. lie knew so wen tnat Faubt
wa lifelong growth and that, as he SAID, the most
satisfactory commentary would be a piosrapny Gi
Goethe written with special reference 10 tMs one WOik
when becoming familiar with It's history, the reader
wouldhud the compressed meanings in'o 're"o'n
and stlnctnesS
HIS WORK UNCUMPLETED.
Mr. Taylor felt that his biography OF Goethe was In
that form 10 be another revelation OF the poem Itself
Goathe's mnd-hfe to uuyel all It's movements ana
the births ofits majestic poetry Butalas for our friend
lie was not 10 complete his ;ask With his habits OF labor
Oh him. aud his enthusiasm aglow he was busy wben the
wing of Deaths angel touched bin. As he lay a-dying
wishing still to work. probably his thoughts recalled
the cxperience OF Goethe, who continued 10 labor,
saws one bographer. III his vocation as poet with
unabated diligence and apparently with undated
faculty until the hour OF bis death which overlook
hin, as If with the pen In his hand. Ana when AT
iast lam urostrae faithful 10 his principles, lie con
tnned 10 occupy himself that he might not give the
thinking faculty time to grow inactive Even when MS
voice became mute with his hand he traced character
IN the arr" - ,., -
ohs what lyric from out tho shadows or death was
there mortal vision those ileSle traceries IN
The fnpalpable arl Would that We had splIls-Io or
i cantrrr thosc winged thoughts! Would that HOlia
barps would echo he numbers TO longing ears! Would
that we had Bayard TaylIr's dreams about theInI
Rt ms voice we shall hear no HIS manly form
ap0 hararterexpressing features remain for memory