, 1885-01-23
sxo. y. cAHnoLI--ealte
AN ExTRAvAcANCE OF WOE

AN ExrRAvAGANcE OF WOE.
The most luxurious and expensive grief
ever exhibited in the history ofthe country
is that displayed by Ex-Governor Leland
Stanford and wife over the death of
their only son.
Leland Stanford, Jr., was a mere boy
in years, amiable in disposition, but with
out either great mental or physical quail
ties to attract to him any attention be-
yond that which his fathers great wealth
would naturally command.
Last March the boy, who had always
been in delicate health. died in Rome. As
0 as his parents could reach him. they
had the most elaborate and ~extravagantly
expensive public services performed over
the remains. Before sailing from Liver
pool public services were again held.
Arrived in New York the body was
placed in a vault where it remained for
several months. until arrange
ments for its reception in San
Francisco could be completed.
A special train, which was draped knee
deep in crepe. carried the body Of the boy
across the continent At Memo park, the
Stanford country seat, the remains we're
placed in a magnificent vault which had
been prepared for them. The vault is a
vast and massive structure, made entirely
Of stone and iron. Its interior is as mag
ni6cent as an Oriental palace. The walls
are entirely covered with purple velvet
embossed with gold, and the draperies
are rich beyond description, consisting of
the c~ostliest fabrics and the heaviest
bullion. The vault is connected with the
mansion and the servants quarters by an
electric wire, and one or more armed
watchinen are constantly on guard in front
Of its ponderous gates.
Public services for the fifth time were
held in Grace Episcopal church, San
Francisco. The ediice was crowded to
~suffocation. The floral decorations were
of the most gorgeous description. The
chancel was converted into a floral chapel,
and all through the church there were
elaborate pieces made of the c~ostliest
flowers to be had in America Not less
than $4,000 was expended for flowers
alone.
The speaker on this occasion was Rev.
J. ?. Newman. who has just been let out
Of the passionate offs New York church.
DIR. Newman made a long address, which,
according to a New York SIN correspond
emit, sounded like the rhapsodies of a court
chaplain over the remains of a departed
prince. His address is now in circulation
as a curiosity, and it is everywhere pro-
nounced the most fulsome ever delivered
in the western hemisphere. No funeral
Grafton 9 Washington. Jefferson,
Adams OF Lincoln contains a 1.-THE of the
praise lavished upon this poor boy, whose
only achievement was to die. Newman
found that he had the wisdom and philos-
ophy Of a Bacon, the keen foresight and
penetration Of n Richelieu, the beauty
of Apollo Belvidere. the artistic taste of
Michael Angelo, the eye of an angel,
the forehead Of a god, the mental
promise Of a Hamilton, the ~eloquence Of a
Pitt, the philanthropy ola Peabody, the
tenderness of Pascal and the studious-
ness of a Gibbon and he predicted that
for generations to come the youth Of the
country. recognizing in Leland Stanford,
Jr., a savior. would visit his tomb for
inspiration, and that his example would
be a beacon light to all the nations. The
suggestion that young Stanford had been
a savior to the young manhood Of the
world was not explained by Mr.. Newman,
but il seemed to remind him of another
point Of similarity between the dead Cali
fornian and the Victim ofCalvary. Like
our dear Leland, - said Newman, ''the
Savior also died young" 1t is said that
General Grants old pastor received Sl0,-
900 for this precious discourse.
DR.. Newman has certainly forced him
self into a unique position in hunkeydom.
Such e~xtravagant laudation Of an unripe
youth who had scarcely left the apron
strings Of his nurse girl, whose mind,
however bright, was yet in its formative
stage, is one Of the most extraordinary
exhibitions ever made by an American
clergyman. His comparison between the
godlike character of little Leland Stan
ford and the godlike attributes Of the
founder of the Christian religion, is an
awful advance in ~eulogistic funeral oratory
and one which will not be received with
enthusiastic commentator by the world
at large, however it may strike the imme-
diate relatives Of the deceased.
There are lunkeys and funkeys. but
we submit that the clerical aunkey over
tops them all.