Sacramento daily record-union., 1881-09-27
THE cArAFALoUE.

THE CArAFALQUE.
The catafalque, which formed the chief de-
sign, and most attractive object in the pro-
cession yesterday, was constructed and draped
by George Boyne, after the most approved
designs. 1t was built at very short notice,
and but comparatively small amount was
available for its cost. Yet the result at
tained was pleasing and very generally salts
factory. What was done was in good taste,
acefulandeffectively appropriate. Probably
the only point on which there would be room
for criticism, was the imitation of fringe on
the top of the sarcophagus, and which exposed
too plainly its light character. In all other
respects the work was a credit to the deco
rator, and did honor to the occasion, indeed,
probably only the few and most
critical dwelt upon the point indicated
The catafalque was 16 feet inches
in length by feet inches in width, and
from ground to top of the pail was about II
feet. 1t was built upon wheeled vehicle of
light character. The false base reaching
nearly to the ground, was of soft white me-
rino, and about Is inches in width from the
upper edge of that arose the wall of the base,
IS inches high covered with black cashmere
From the four main panels thus formed the
top inclined to common center in four tri-
angular forms, but ceasing about half way
to the center the lines if extended, would
make. All this was covered with black cash
mere. From this point or apex arose the
structure representing the sarcophagus, 7
feet long by 2 feet inches wide and feet in
hight, and crowned with heavy black velvet
Above this was canopy of black cashmere
with a central half dome, the whole
forming the pail. It was supported on four
ebonized standards rising from the corners of
the base. These standards were of graceful
turning, and were trimmed with silver erna.
ments and emblszoned near the apex by
United States shields, with mourning bars on
the outer face. and from behind which ex-
tended bronze silver arms supporting festoons
of ivy. At the bases. the standards were
decorated with open silvered scroll-work de.
signs. They rested upon pedestals, setting
falque. The dado, or central face of each,
was trimmed with heavy silver ornaments.
Along the base of the catafalque were like
trimmings The base on each of the longer
faces was divided into three panels. The
outer ones were draped with soft white CASH
mere in festoons caught by large silver ro.
settles, and held to place by silver leaf and
flower designs. Each central panel bore a
heave geld-bronzs eagle perched on an Amer
ican shield resting on sivered cap and
columns. The panel was formed by and sep
arated from the larger and outer ones by
ornamented standards in silvered bronze. On
the larger of each of the inclined faces, be-
tween the base and the sarcophasus, was laid
the United States shield between fat white
grass plumes hanked by two large and beauti-
full funeral wreaths of rare white flowers,
worked upon green background. Around the
upper edge of the sarcophagus were imitation
silvered lace and fringe, and an edging of
silver bullion lace. Each corner of this
upper structure was formed of fasces in gold
bronze, the bands being, however, black
These bundles of rods, with the protruding ak,
were badges of authority among the Romans,
and are still typical of it at this day
The edge of the pail was draped with
short festoons of white merino caught by
silvered ornaments. Throughout, and on all
parts of the work, lines of silver trimming
prevailed. At the head of the catafalque, on
/ he ar1 of tba ,boo, I'll
was capital supported by Masonic columns,
and beneath the Knights Templar cross. At
the opposite end was similar design, with
the three emblematic links of the Order of
| Odd Fellows. On each side of the sarcoph.
agus was the name James A. Garfield
worked out in cupshape silvered ornaments.
The end panels of the base of the whole
structure were finished off in each case with
silver holdings laid on to form an elongated
| diamond, in the center of which was placed
head were strewn flowers the gift of Mrs.
Peter Bohl, and the four corners of the pail
were crowned by beautiful floral wreaths,
the gift of Mrs. Lagos. Other floral decora-
tions were placed about the catafalque, being
| the gifts of Mrs. i N. Larkin and Mrs.
Daniel Flint. Upon the sarcophagus, or imi-
tation of tomb. rested heavy and richly
trimmed burial casket, over one end of which
was thrown, as if carelessly, the American
flag, and on this rested the chapeau, sword,
belt, baldric and gauntlets of Knight Tenn
plar. Four heavy black plumes arose from
the tops of the four standards supporting the
pail, but the jar of the structure on the
street was such that the plumes had to be re-
moved very early.