The National tribune., 1883-01-11
GAMBETTA'S OBSEQUIEs.
His Remains Followed to the Grave by
100000 Citizens.

The greatest demonstration ever witnessed
in France at the funeral of a statesman was
seen on Saturday last at the Obsequies of Leon
Gambetta, at which all France assisted and
certainly over 100000 people followed the re-
mains Of the dead statesman to his temporary
resting place in Pere la Chaise. The spectacle
was without precedent in the history of the
republic, and so great was the crowd which
thrOnged to do honor to the memory of the
dead that after eight o'clock in the morning all
traffic on the south side of the Seine was stopped
and all that part of the city was given up to the
| habiliments of mourning and the solemn cele-
bration of the last rites.
1t was 1890 o'clock before the BODY of Gam
beta was borne from the Palais Bourbon and
deposited on the funeral car amid the booming
of cannon and the beating of drums. The pail
bearers, N. Fallieres, minister of the interior;
NJ. Bilot, minister of war; NJ Brisson, presi-
dent of the chamber; II. Peyrat, vice-president
of the senate; N. Metivier representing the
electors of Beleville; N. Falateur representing
the bar of Paris; NJ. Sirecs, mayor of Cahors
the birthplace of Gambetta; Dr.. Fienzel and
Deputy Euenne, representing the family, and
Martin Feuillet president of the Union Repub-
liCaine, followed the body and stood with IN
covered heads while it was being placed IN the
car, as did the large throng of deputations and
the populace who hovered around the Palais
Bourbon. The ear which took the body Of
Gambetta to Pere la Chaise was specially de-
signed for this service by NM. Becher and
Bastien Lepage, the artist. 1t is an immense
catafalque, moving on low black wheels, which
are Streaked with silver. The coffin was COW
cred with tri-colored flags, and at its base were
heaped up mounds of garlands and bouquets.
The catafalque was surmounted by an immense
palm tree, whose widespread branches shaded
the coffin from the rays Of the sun. AT the
four corners of the casket vases were affixed, in
which were burning perfumes which shrouded
the coffin in sweet smelling Yap0r during the
entire time occupied by the procession in its
march to the cemetery. This magnificent
funeral car which is finer specimen of art
than even that which bore the remains Of
Thiers TO the grave was drawn by six black
horses, and the platform was literally covered
with wreaths, bouquets and loose flowers.
The procession started from the Palais Bour-
bon as soon as the body Lad been deposited on
the car. In front of the car, on platform
borne by twelve men, was the colossal bust Of
Gambetta, surrounded by flowers. Preceding
this were three ehariots, richly decorated and
drawn by black horses caparisOned in sable
trappings, in which were borne the crowns and
garlands sent by the different cities and towns
OF France In front of these chariOts were
carriages containing the relatives and friends
of Gambetta the representatives of President
Grevy, the ministers, and the generals Of the
French army.
The catafaIque reached the entrance to Pere
Ia Chaise at 1:30 p. M, three hours after start
ing from the Palais Bourbon. The coffin was
placed at the entrance of the cemetery, and N.
Deves, minister of justice, made short address
on behalf Of the government. NJ. Chatiour
spoke on behalf of the AlSace-LOrraine societies
of Paris. NJ. Falateuf spoke on behalf of the
bar of Paris
After the speeches the procession and the
crowd passed around the body, and at $3.50 p.
H. the coffin was carried into the cemetery,
which was closed to the public The casket
was placed in its temporary resting place, and
the crowds then dispersed. VI. Gambettas
father has consented, in Difference to the re-
peatedly expressed wishes of his son, TO permit
the funeral ut Nice to be private one.
NJ. Reinach, the intimate personal friend of
NJ Gambetta, publishes a detailed account Os
the latter's wound, intended to dispeI variou2
falsities. NJ. Gambetta, he states, was trying
a new revolver, when the breach stuck fast,
owing TO one of the cartridges not fitting
properly. Holding the pistol by the muzzle,
he endeavOred to close the breeCh forciblys
when the cartridge exploded. The lady whG
has recently been prominently mentioned, SO
far from being the cause of the accident,
nursed him devOtedly for thirty-four days.