The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-10-23
The Remains OF Marshal MacGahOn
Are Laid to RsSt.
ALL NATIONS PAY HOMAGE.
Immense Crowds witness an Imposing
spectacIe-The Cofin Borne on the
shoulders Of Non-Commissioncd oni-
csrs-Ihe Exercises.


MacMahon. ex-president of France and
Duke OF Magenta, were conveyed yester-
day from the Church OF La Madeleine
across the River Seine, 10 the Hotel Dss
Invalides, there TO rest until the great
reveille is sounded by the heavenly trump
eter.
The body of the last but one OF the
marshals of France reached this city
from sfeHt Cressen. and was conveyed TO
the Church of La Madeleine. The hearse
bearing the ex-president's remains was
followed from the railroad station by two
old servants Of the dead soldier, who car
red the marshaPs baton, decorations and
other insignia of Office. The insignia OF
the marshal of France was displayed on
black velvet cushions, and the little cortege
was respectfully saluted by the crowds OF
merrymakers fockng the streets In con-
sequence of the festivities prepared in
bonor Of the Russian sailors.
The Church of La Madeleine was draped
with mourning bands, presenting pc
culiarly sad appearance amidst so much.
iete decoration in its immediate neigh
borhood.
The coffin was covered with its black
pail, and dotted with silver stars, and hav-
ing upon il the marshal's chapeau and
sword as we'll as two BLACK velvet cushions
studded with the various decorations the
dead soldier bad received during life.
King Humbert of Italy. the city of Milan
and number of Italian officers sent
beautiful wreaths of flowers; but the
largest of all was the Offering of the French
army-it was composed of roses. hello
tropes, marguerites and carnations.
An Imposing Scene.
Shortly before l0:30 the entire route
leading from the Church of La Madeleine
to the Hotel des Invalides had been lined
with troops, which kept the roadway clear
for the passage of the hearse. At 1880
General Boisdeffre, chief of the general
staff of the French army, and General
Saussier, the general in command OF the
Paris garrison, and -two- German attaches
took tie positions which had been assigned
to them around the hearse.
Soon after the French generals and
German officers had reached La Madeleine,
the Russian visiting officers, headed by
Admiral Avelan, also arrived at the church
in full dress uniform. The arrival of the
Russians caused commotion among the
people assembled, and it was easy TO be
seen that il needed but a starting signal
to have raised one Of those outburst Of
cheering which are now SO familiar to the
cars sailors when they make their APP
pearance In the streets OF Paris.
The Russians were saluted by the rep
resentatives of the French army and by
the German attaches The next party to
arrive was that of the Marquis Of Duff
ferin, the British ambassador, who was
followed by all the other members Of the
diplomatic corps, who joined the brilliant
group of officers around the dead soldiers
casket, forming a scene which was singu-
larly imposing
Military Honors.
A long, low rolling Of military drums,
muffled for the occasion, broke upon the
air at ll:20, and shortly afterwards the
sharp, clear notes of a military bugle gave
the signal that the funeral cortege was
ready to take the body Of Marshal Mac
Mahon to it's last resting place. A second
ringing order from the bugler, the troops,
like magnificent piece of clock work, pre-
sented arms all down the rue Royale, and
group Of priests, preceded by altar
boys bearing candles behind a tall cross Of
gold, were seen to descend the steps and
march slowly towards the Place de la Con-
corde.
Behind the priests came the coffin,
borne on the shoulders of non-commis-
stoned officers, followed by the representa-
tives of President Carnot, the senate, the
chamber of deputies and the diplomatic
corps. Then came the representatives of
the Prince OF Wales, King Humbert of
Italy and others. Admiral Avelan walked
with the diplomatic corps, and the other
Russian officers were at the head of the
delegation representing the French army.
Cardinal Richard, archbishop OF Paris,
of1iciated at the last religious ceremonies
over the dead, which lasted fully one hour
AT the conclusion of the services the
coffin was conveyed to the court of honor.
While the body was In the court OF honor.
NJ. Dupuy, minister of public instruction,
and General Noizllon, minister of war,
delivered orations over the body Of the
veteran soldier.
on to the Grave.
A most impressive marc h past of the
troops at the Hotel des Invalides followed,
the members of the diplomatic corps
witnessed the soldiers defile from posi-
tion, which they took up on the right side
OF the entrance To the esplanade, and the
Russian sailors witnessed the same cere-
mony from the left Of the entrance. After
this ceremony and last tribute of respect
on the part Of the military authorities,
the cofiiu containing the body was borne
away to the vault reserved for marshals
OF France.
Marshal MacMahon's son and about 30
OF the most prominent officers and others
took part in this ceremony, during which
they chanted the DE Profundis In "a most
impressive manner.
When all the ceremonies were com.
pleted Marshal Canrobert was presented
with the remains Of two flags by Crimean
veterans, whose regiments had carried
these flags In the Crimean war; with
Marshal Canrobert, in every place where
they had served during that famous cam
paign.