Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-10-13
LAID In THE TOMB
The Poet, Tennyson, Consigned
to Earth
IN THE FAMOUS POETS CORNER
A Great Assemblage Gathered 10 Pay Its
Tribuie 10 the Beloved Poet
Laureate.


longed could pay, the remains of the
greatest poet England has produced
in latter days, were laid in their final
resting place beneath the pavement OF
the historic Westminster abbey. The
funeral services will long be remem-
bered. There was no affectation OF
sorrow; the vast crowds that attended
the ceremonies were no. moved by
that vulgar curiosity that leads go
many to attend the funerals OF those
who have achieved honor and reputa-
ton. On the contsry, every one pres
ent felt that he had lost = personal
friend.
Long before the hour set for the SER
vices to begin ali immense crowd began
TO gather In the vicinity of the abbey.
A dense mass OF people assembled IN
the south palace yard between the
abbey and the houses of parliament,
while an equally large crowd packed
the streets 10 the north aud east OF the
abbey. A large number of police were
present. but they had little difficulty
IN handling the crowds.
Came Hearing wreaths.
were swung open and the ticket hold-
ers were admitted. The congregation
comprised men eminent IN all the
| walks of life, statesmen, clergymen.
authors, artists, members of the dra-
matte profession, men whose names
are household words wherever the
! English tongue is known. Many of
those who entered the building carried
wreaths, which were placed in the
Jerusalem chamber with those al
ready deposited there. The Jerusa-
| lem chamber contained mass of
most beautiful flowers, including 200
| superb wreaths and crosses. Among
the tokens was beautiful design sent
| by Princess Louise, composed mostly
or lilies and stephanots. Among the
most noticeable floral gifts was wreath
sent bv Mrs. Gladstone OF behalf of
her husband and herself. This was
composed of sweet-smelling leaves
| from tho Gladstone gardens At Hawar-
| den, and was made by Mrs. Gledstone's
own hands, and its beautiful construc-
tion showed that 1t was indeed a labor
of love. Attached to the wreath was
card on which was written the follow
ing couplet:
Andin the vast cathedral leave him.
| God accept him. Christ receive him.
The queen sent a wreath composed
of laurel leaves tied with broad bow
| of white silk ribbon. A card was at
tached to the wreath on which, in the
| queens own Handwriting, were the
words: ga mark of sincere regard and
admiration from. Victoris X. l." Her
majesty also sent a metallic wreath OF
laurel, with the letters "V. K. l." in
| gilt worked into monogram and
| bearing the words: "a tribute of atfec
tionate regard and true admiration
from the sovereign"
| The Paii-bearers and Chief Mourners.
| Promptly at IL o'clock the procession
was formed In the Jerusalem chamber.
IL was headed by two officials of the
abbey. Then came the coffin borne on
the shoulders of staiwart men, while
pall-bearers, Henry White, secretary of
the American legation; Lord Salisbury.
Very Rev. Henry Montsgu Butter, SIR
James Paget, Lord Rosebury and Pro-
fessor Froude, marched on either SIDE,
their fingers just touching the
| union jack with which the
coffin was covered. The chief
mourners followed, headed by Lady
Tennyson and Hallam Tennyson, Mrs.
Hallam TennysOn, Mrs. Birrell, Lionel
| Tennyson's widow, and the grand
children OF the dead poet followed in
the order named. Included with the
/ chief mourners was the nurse who At
tended Lord Tennyson IN his last i'll
ness, wearing the hospital uniform.
| Then came the household servants.
Representatives of the queen, the
| prince of Wales, and other royal per-
/ rr a
notables III attendance were James
Brce, chancellor OF the duchy of Lam
caster; John Burns. the late member of
parliament, and Henry Irving. the
/ actor.
As the procession moved the deep
| toned abbey bell began to toll, and as
the mournful sound swept out over
| the city the coffin, followed by the
| mourners, was carried slowly around
/ the cloisters. which were lined with
| bows from the Westminster school.
When the PROCESSION reached the NAN
! door of the abbey IL was received by
the dean. the Very Rev. George Gran
vile Bradley, Canon Duckworth.
/ Canon Farrsr, and other members Of
the clergy. As the cortege passed up
| the aisle. along which were ranged boys
/ in uniform from the Gordon home, IN
! which Lord TennysOn was always
| deeply interested, the solemn words,
| IL am the resurrection and the life
| of the burial service were hes-d, and
| then the choir broke forth III the pro-
! cesslonal hymn. Upon reaching the
! chancel the coffin wa. placed on a rest
/ inst below the altar. This rest was
/ covered with beautiful embroidered
| cloth. ON 10 WAS crown of flowers
| and the words of the isst verse of
| Crossing the Bar" ono of the
/ last poems written by Lord Ten
/ nvson. Canon Duckworth opened
/ the service for tho dead, after which
/ the choir chanted the nineteenth
I psam. The heavens declare the
/ glory OF God. and the armament show
/ eth his handiwOrk." Then the lesson
/ of the day was read and toe choir sang
I "Cro@sing the Bar" which had heen
F act to muse by John Freierick Hridge,
orgsuist Of Westm nster Abbey. The
+ easct wss most beautiful. AMI many
/ 90 those present were moved 81 tears
F bv the words of this touching poems.
+ hen TIE choir sang thr la-t pc~.fn
T srtten by iofd fennysan n--" Ihe
I ~leas Fa,res. the massr of which was
+ composed ~ l.ady fenuys %. 1his
I pasm consists ef only ten lines. htgin-
niHa
+ #hsa fhe faalh benz ssafhes o. a,aes.
hfiafs fHe re sfs af4sHf i.is hC3.
Al ns p rs aff h ssek
eiat tees ef rae 7est
fafd tenhFsaa dedicated this poem
te hs sfe oalg Ten asvs sso.