The Tombstone., 1885-08-26


 On that memorable day of National grief tho Eighth of August, when cities were mov- ing Tn heavy lines of sadness, when States were assembled in sorrow and our Nation mosrned there was one observance Of the day which, though surrounded with awful grandeur and solemnity, escaped the enter prlse Of telegraphy and its myriad voices. One hundred miles from any railroad, be- yond the reach of psrched plains and with cred hills, away up cool, wooded mountain slopes, over lofty evergreen ranges to mighty sea of granite peaks, in the very heart Si the s!erras, in the valley, Yosemite, the name ofGrant was given 10 sad eulogium.
 Although the population of the valley scarcely exceeds half a dozen households, the Guardian of the valley and resident State officer, W. F. Dennison, decided to ob- serve the day. After bis office had been suitably draped and flag, which had been sent two hundred and f'iy miles for the oc- casion. had been half-mastet. attention was given to the humble httle chapel under the great Sentinel Rock. Two or three other buildings soon followed the example aud ;ne valley was in mourning. It was the morning of the seventh and q programme of memorial ser, ices had been conspicuous ly posted. It provided for religious servicce, clergyman and the early departure by stage that morning Of the three tourist clergymen who had been sxpt Vted to remain, and the sudden leaving of the Guardi m to answer call 10 distant part of the field of his duties. there eing no possibility pf his return until tue afternoon of the eighth, the prospect for rhe MOTION was discoursgIng. The hour for the service Was postponed to four o'clock m., and the hurryiug hours were trusted .o bring inc nt eded aids.
 AtChincapin, the halfway stat!on between the valley and the Big Tree station. the ar irving and departing stages of the seventh met and stopped To change horses. The former bore the distinguished composer, Si Arthur Sullivan. He was told of the nor roy $ service and generously offered his Is sistance to the Guardian. Most gladly was i. accepted. The arriving stage of tht eighth brought brsides the Guardian, two passengers, a lady and a gentleman. A. though ordered by Providence especially fo, the occasion, the latter proved 10 be 8 you Ig "ierCyman, Rev. F 4. Mansfield, from Maine To the ipvi;at:on to help the service he rii ingly assenred Tho situation became hope fGl. The stage rolled down a heavily wooded slope to point on the westerly rim of the valley, known 10 the world as Inspiration Point. While looking down upon the beautl- ;ul valley lying between sky-supporting cliffs, buttressed with towers and dom.s. n boom came heavily up from below and died away iu the distant reverberations. IL wa, part Of the salute of thirtesn guns at sun rise, followed by one every half Incur during ! the day and thiriy-eight at sunset.
 When the dusty stsge reached its dest,na, ton the con gregation had began to assemble few hurried changes brought Us to the little chapel. Sir Arthur Sullivan presided | at the organ. The sadness of the hour was socthed by the soulful touch of master hand. Martyred Line olns fayorite hymn. Home of the Soul" opened the service. l Following the reading Of the Scriptures, in- | tersPersed with familiar hymns, addresses eulocistic of the honored dead were deliy- ! cred by the Guardian and others, during which Canon Farrar's panegyrc at West minister Abbey was impressively read. As the audience fingered beyond the ser-ice. Sir Arthur Sullivan played "The Lost Chord that beautiful competition lovingly written soon alter his brothers death, in memOriam. Its sweetly solemn hsrnones were followed by the tolling of the bell, Great mountain shadows fell upon lofty pines and brought their whispered requiem to the hush of sven- ing That peace for which our hero fought rested upon ali. His loved name had been voiced in the cities of the plain and echoed from the nouLtain fastnesses.-Los Angeles
 Express.