The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-09-21
BITS FROM THE MAGAZINES.
DUTCH FUNERAL CUSTOMS IN
EARLY NEW YORK.
Client and Architect-Engiish weights
and Measures-A Pleasant Sunday In
kioto-Royai Fish in History-Agate In
dustry Described.


K,o,o-Royai Fish In History-Agate In
dustry Described.
Funerals in the early days were never
held in the church. The attendance
was usually so large that on the morning oil
the funeral chairs were carried in from the
houses of families living near. Mourning
was generally worn by the women OF the
family. and the men wore Grape band en-
circling the hat from the crown TO the brm'
a long piece being allowed to hang almost
to the shoulder. As time passed on TINS
wa shortened by pinning it into foid at
the back, which fold stood out at a right
angle to the hat; and. finally. cutting on
all the superflous length, it appeared as the
band worn at the present day. Inc
blinds of the house were kept al nrst tlgh',
ly closed, and then were gradually Dowel
tin the days of mourning were over.
The Dutch could hardly De called super
stitious people. and vet they had many
gueer customs. The lookingglasses IN a
house of mourning were usually draped I'D
black. "A I'D the coffin was never placed near
one. IL the family owned many DehlNes II
was always customary 10 announce the
death TO each hive. else. ii was SAID, the
bees would all leave. The funeral was al
WAYS he'd the third day after death, and IN
summer on the second day. as no means
were then known for preserving the DOdy'
Chairs We're placed round the conn,
those at the head being occupied Dy tue
members Of the family, and those
at the foot by the near relatives. Dutch
q Attend
ance on such occasions. though no woman
attended the body to the grave, but after
the CORPSE was borne out remained 10 eat
cakes and drink wine. If the deceased was
Of their sex burnt wine was served teen IN
silver tankards. These tankards, even III
those DAYS. were often worth t2z, ana
sometimes more. Burnt or mulled WINE
was served only i'm winter, a sort OF sanga-
rec being substituted in summer. Burnt
wine was Madeira slightly sweetened win
burnt lOaf-sugar, which gave IT peculiar
flavor. The women always retired before
the men returned, who then resumed the
feast.
When the coffin was removed from the
house it was placed upon bier at the door
and covered with "A pail OF black cloth. Inc
church usually owned two pals, which
were ALWAYS used on these occasions. me
bier was then borne upon the shoulders oil
the bearers 10 the grave, followed only 10y
the invited guests and mOurners. As 1t was
not convenient 10 carry the dead great us
tances. those who had lands were generally
buried near their homes. Rich persons VINO
were willing r. pay literally were allowed
10 bury under their seats in the church, the
seats, or pews, always being part OF the
family property, and a sucn Wliled. ihore
who coveted the honor OF grave I'D church
had 10 pay about twenty times the price Oh
a common grave. Private burying-grOuhus
within the village or town were rare so
those without lands were usually Inferred
in the church burying-ground. No head
stones are found at the graves OF the ear
lest settlers. The grayer's art did not then
exist among them. and the marble ana
granite had not yet been Guarried'
After the intcrment the mourners and
GUESTS returned 10 the dOOd-feest dead
feasD. ON which the goedt yrOuw's skill had
been spent 10 the utmost 10 load her taDie
with the choicest delicacies-cOld and hot
Joints. and all dainties dear to the Dutch
heart, in addition 10 pies, cakes ana cheese
the most prominent dish being one OF dOod-
Rocks. These were thick disks about four
inches In diameter, and similar IN lngre-
dients To our Newly ears cakes. Ihey
we're kent for wears as mementOs Of the de-
pa-ted. often being handed down As heir
looms. These cdibles were supplemented by
an enormous supply Of sp.ecd wine and 10
bacco and pipes. Wealthy persons. in an
ticipation Of death in the family. were
accustomed to procure large casks or pipes
of wine. which were spiced and put care
fully away in the cellar, to be used only for
the purpose intended.
Most of the friends coming from dis
lance. ample justice was done to the
viands. Mrs. NJ. Z. Ferris in larper's
Bazaar.