Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-06-02


The first funeral Iroceesion which We
met In Athens showcA. the peculiarities oil
the Greek custom at their best. On an
open bier, resting on the shoulders of six
young men, lay the body of beautiful
glrl of sixteen, dressed in light blue and
white, her face and arms exposed, her
he d garlanded with flowers, and flowers
filling her hands and lying in knots and
clusters on her breast. 30 she was borne
through the clear, sweet morning sunshine
that flooded the streets of her native city,
to her grave beyond It's limits, under the
shadow of Mount Hymettus.
Delegeorges, ex-Prime Minister, in the
quickly succeeding changes of Greek party
government several times at the head OF
the cabinet, and as often the leader of the
opposition, died during our stay at Athens.
He was q man whose staunch integrity
and democratic love of simplicity had en-.
deared HIM to the peopl". He was buried
on the day after his death, the rule in
Athens.
Dense crowds of men and boys thronged
the streets near the house, from which the
procession was to start. There were nc
services at his home, but acquaintance
passed in TO view the remains, and to offer
sympathy t. the family, who, as rule, do
not accompany the procession to the church
or the grave. Every man who entered the
house put on white lace scarf over the
right shoulder and under the left arm-the
radge of mourning, Many bearded priests
of the Greek church mingled with the
crowd Their luxuriant hair is never cut,
but is twisted into a roll, and knotted on
the back of the head like woman's. They
wear a tall, cylindrical hat, brimless be-
low, but with round Hat crown VIII ch
projects laterally an inch OF two. The
dignitaries of the church were resplendent
in gold embroidered robes of white, purple
and scarlet.
The flu was of blue satin. The body,
dressed in plain black as in lfe-the low
shoes tied with white ribbon-was brought
out and placed on the open bier. AS is the
custom at Athens, the upper half of the
coffiu, for its entire length, had been re-
moved with the lid, and was carried IN ad-
vance of the bier. On it was worked in
white cross and crown. A glass cover
was placed over the body. Flowers in
profusion lay about the form of the dead
statesman.
Two red banners-one with a formal
sacred painting, in the Byzantine style of
the Annunciatlon, and OF Mary and the
Child; the other representing, in archaic
| figures. the Crucifxion and the Rcsurrec-
tion-were borne before the coffin. Then
followed the clergy and prominent citi-
zens, while the brass band played slow
moving dirge. Leaving the crowded streets,
| went by shorter way to the cathedral,
where the mertion of my nationality passed
me through the closed doors, and secured
me an excellent place-seats there were
none, save for bishops and king.
First enter the sacred banners, and the
man with the lid of the coffin; then priests
with lanterns, censers, tapers and banners
then the coffin is carried in and placed on q
black catafalque in the choir. The king,
with lew attendants, has taken his place
Just TO the left of the Patriarch's throne,
which is on the south of the choir, King
George is rather tall, erect, well formed,
Gair-halred, with blonde mustache, anC
pleasantly regular features. He wears the
dark blue uniform of a major, and light
blue short cloak with crimson lining, while
wide, light blue scarf crosses his breast
from the right shoulder.
Young men press forward to the coffir
with garlands of flowers. They are dele
gates from the university and the schools.
The Patriarch takes his seat, two bishops
on either hand, venerable, white bearded
men. The loud, shril. chant of the priests,
mems voices singing IN unison, begins the
service. Two singers who are not priests