The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1882-03-30

THE NEW S.
ENTOMBED
obaequles of the Poet Longfellow


ObsequIes of the Poet L1onGfelIow
Bosros, March 27.-The funeral of
LongfelIow was as quiet and unosten-
tatious as could have been wished by
even theanost reserved members of the
family. The east wind was sharp, and
slight Snow storm kept away many who
Otherwise would have attempted 10 par
tIcipate in the funeral exercises, not
withsianding the announcement that
they would be of the most fIgidly pri-
yate nature.
IL THE PARIoR OF HIS HoMEsTEND,
on BratIle street Cambridge, . -tbiy
fifty of the nearest and dearest breads
of the poet gathered shortly ;ii.er 3
O'Clock. 4 plain black casket, devoid of
all ornament, contained the earthly re-
mains of Longfe1low, and his face bore
a serene expression, showing little trace
of the rapid sickness he had suffered.
Among that little group in the paflor
were Ralph Waldo Emerson, himself
very feeble; Oliver Wendell Holmes,
Louis Agassiz, brother of the naturalist,
Prof Charles Elliott Norton, w. ID.
Howells, George William Curtis, the
venerable Cyrus A Barton, philosopher,
Bronson Alcott, Richard Fl. Dana, John
G. Whittier, Mrs. Alexander Agassiz,
IE9l, pOCS
| and several others prominent in politi-
cal and literary life. The rest of the
company comprising the Appletons,
Danas and LongfeIlows, relatives of the
deceased.
AT THE HOUSE THE SERVICES WE'RE
BRIEF AND SIMPLE.
Rev. Samuel Longfellow, of Portland,
Me, brother of the poet. conducted the
exercises, making fervent opening
| prayer, which was followed by short
and modest tribute to the virtues and
| noble attributes of the dead poet. Read
ing of the Scriptures and closing
prayer ended the modest ceremonies.
! Appropriate musical selections We're
rendered by quartette of female voices
| with piano accompaniment. Alter
those present had taken last look at
the remains, the lid was screwed down
and the casket at once placed in the
| hearse.
The relatives and friends were almost
| inconsolable in their great grief, and
| the scene as each viewed the gentle fta-
| lures for the last time was most affect.
| ing one. The funeral cortege proceed
ed Immediately to Mount Auburn Gem
etery, and in the Longf:llow family
| tomb, or what is known as Indian
Ridge path, the interment occurred.
| kOnOItlI dilCL ~ ClONh a OACEA
had congregafed outside OF the cemetery,
admittaDce being refused at the family's
request.
THE TOMB
occupied a 10: on the brow of gently
sloping hill, and waved by the chilly
| breeze two tall elms outstretched their
| bare branches over the grave. Here
also the services were very short and
simple. When the casket had been
lowered TO its place and evergreens
spread over the stone marking the
grave, Rev. Samuel LOngfellow, in a
trembling voice, said, "Oh, death where
is thy victory, oh, grave where is thy
sting? The Lord giveth and the Lord
taketh away" Then silent prayer,
and that was all.
Ten minutes later the funeral cortege
drove rapidly to Appleton chapel, Har-
ward college, where the poet, then a
Harvard professor attended divine ser
vice. Here, under direction of officials
of Harvard, public religious services
were held and the little chapel
could not hold one-fourth of those who
sought admission. Prominent citizens
of all walks in lite including eX-Goy.
Claflin, of Massachusetts, Judge Sanger,
Gen. Joshua Chamberlain, of Maine,
President Elliott, and all the professors
Vi ddIS0iu duNl many OtuCiS OONuAlCN
reserved seats. The family and init
mate friends arrived as the organ gave
forth the exquisite dirge, "Lyre with
Broken Strings" There was a single
| floral tribute occupying the foot of the
pulpit. Rev. Francis Peabody, of Har
ward divinity school,
OPENED TIE CHAPEL EXERCISES
| with an eloquent prayer. in which some
| of Longfellow's most beautiful verses
| were quoted with remarkable appropri-
| ateness. Rev c. g. Elliott, of Harvard,
| one of the poets dearest friends, preach
ed the sermon, in the course of which
he paid a most pathetic and eloquent
tribute to the life and labor of Longfel-
! low. The preacher referred in eloquent
terms to the private virtues of Longfel-
| low, his simple manner of life, his no.
| BILE qualities, and his fondness for chill
| dren. From the first, though not with
out some sorrows intermingled, Long
| fellows life flowed on calm and evenly.
| Travels In foreign lands enriched his
sympathy, and enlarged that pictur-
| sequences so beautifully prominent in
his poems. Thus it has been said that
he is not our poet; that he is
THE POET OF OTHER NATIONS.
But there must be no provinciaiism in
our American poets, they must repre-
sent songs of every description, ripest
fruits of all chimes. They must, in other
| words, be like our LongfelloY.
| Psalm of Life" was sung by the choir,
and after prayer and benediction the
audience slowly dispersed: