The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-08-31

20 admire one whose career becomes
the lesson Of a great abstract idea.
A Frenchman remarked that the
American sought to make himself COM
Portable in a satin-lined casket Ne
might have added that American Gus
tom. as well as fashion, imparts the
idea Of more care for the corpse than
for the soul.
Display does not suit the habilments
Of woe, for death is so awful and solemn
that its presence should be respected
with that religious meekness and hu-
mility that the Master taught. The
lilly Of the valley is more beautiful than
royal pomp, but it loses the character
Of It's modesty and simplicity if arrayed
in architectural and mechanical designs.
1t is certain that the simple little
flower, if put on a grave by a pious and
loving hand, would be more eloquent
Of pity and more tender to the pas'er-
by than ali the floral designs that
money could buy.
The grim satire Of the thing is con-
tanned in the remark Of the widow Of a
Boston Crwsus, who upon receiving the
announcement Of her husband 5 death,
from one who had studied up the man
ner and squeezed out the tears to inn
part consolation. said proudly, Now
IN show the people of Boston what a
swell funeral is
As funerals are conducted by Chrs-
tian people it ought to be recognized
that prayer is better than bouquet.
aud a single tear more becoming than a
long procession.
This is the sense. and the sentiment.
ard The religion, and the propriety Of
the thing.
As to the absurd expense incurred
often by poor people it hardly needs any
argument.
But besides all that is the call upon
the pall-bearer to display his bare head
in the storm and catch pneum0ia as
token Of respect to a deceased friend
after carrying a casket that would test
the endurance of an athlete. We leave
it to the Church to prescribe
the details Of funeral cere-
mony. We are only pointing GU.
the unfortunate and absurd errors of
the present custom, in view of the fact
that needed reform is in progress,
which should be fastened. especially as
every sensible person would like to sec
the reform accomplished in time to get
the benefit when bis turn comes.
Some years ago the government get
the example Of putting its departed
official servant in a light wooden case
covered with black cloth with black
iron handles 10y which to carry it.
The sensible and thoughtful mind i'
shocked at enclosing the dust in an iron
case. for to dust it must come, and
the delay amounts TO nothing between
this and eternity.
But whether the poor relics lie
"hearsed" in one way or the other, let
there be more solemnity in the act and
less expense aud fashion; for death is a
great leveller. and We are always re-
minded of the melancholy philosopher 5
apostrophe to The dead jester
"Now. get YOU 10 my lady's chamber, and
tell her.
Let her pain, am inch thick, 10 ihis complex
ion She must come"
RUSSELL HARRISON, son of the Pres.
dent. and senior Baby Mckee by one
generation. arrived in New York on
the City of Paris, that beat the ocean
racing record.
Mr.. Harrison also beat his own record.
for he let the reporters catch hmm ON the
A., until the next morning daily bulie-
tins found him perfectly monkeycd by
his OWL gable.
lie was portrayed in the attitude OF
sitting on the knee of the Prince OF
Wales. and all the ludicrous ancclote
was illustrated with still more lulicrou.
pictures.
The weekly illustrated papers will
now take a shy at Russell and leave him
to think. if he mas anything to think
with, that me had been better of if he
had not used the paternal advertise
ment as a ticket of admission to Eu-
ropean royalty.
THAT is a regular Pooh Bah JOKE on
the part Of the Aldermen q New York
to pass a resolution requesting the rail-
roads not to grant them free passes.
Congress ought to follow the example.
and the Republican Legislature at Al
bauy should follow suit.
"Resolred, That to relieve the mem-
bers Of this body from the onerous re-
sponsibility aud temptations involved
in receiving free passes, that the oili-
cial. of railroads are earnestly request
ed to spare us the trial by not expos ng
Us to the same. &c. DC.
THE Herald reviews at length the
immense resources of Africa. and the
ways in which it will be opened TO
commerce and settlement, all Of which
agrees exactly with what We sail when
Stanley started out, that the greatness
of the enterprise had more business
than humanity in il.
The first dispatch about his returning
with Emin Bey contained figures and
estimates of the amount Of elephant
tusks he had.
LAST night was peculiarly agonizing
10 the citizen who expects car travel
and gas light according to the proper
obligations Of corporations that get