, 1894-07-25

Round the splendid catafalque stand the SOL
diers Of the Republic, sword and rife in
hand at the back Of this superb funeral
throne kneel at their i4cessant prayers four
Sisters of Mercy, constantly relieved, from q
sanity order vowed to intercession for the
dead and dying. The presence of these four
brayiing Women, these yelled, deeply absorb
ed nuns, strikes the spectator at once. To-
day, so far, no women have been admitted to
the scene. Guards have been the uniformed
servants Of the house, lackeys in every kiEd
of livery, attendants in silver facings and
knee-breeches, every conceivable uniform,
representative Of the States and diplomacy
ofthe world, rose-pink Cardinals and violet
MonsignoIs, priests with laced surplices,
~acolytes in scarlet ca>soCks and cottas bear
ing gollen crucifxes and stoops of holy water
to bless he dead French judges in their
fantastic robes A~cademicians in their green
besprinkled uniforms but no women save
the four black-robed heavily-v yelled nuns,
praying for the soul Of the martyred Presi-
dent. AS the candles flicker on the bier, the
swords and sabres clash in the courtyard, and
there is a general hum of official and friend
~ conversation. Straight in front of you,
a|ssertive dominant, the sight Of sights, the
one spot in the picture to which every eye
turns, grandIy impressive, is the dead Presi-
dent. Solennly erthroncd early in the morn
ing. long before Paris was awake, he had
been borne from the chapelle ardente facing
the garden, q paradise of flowers. removed
from the miniature altar W here he had rested.
and before which so many prayers had been
offered up for the repose Of his soul and
now the coffin stood high nloft, the crown
Of the ceremonial, whilst soldiers, politi-
clans, 'a,td diplOmatists moved quietly about
the churchyard, al d the four nuns in the
hush Of a darkened corner prayed without
ceasing.
For a time you are fascinated by the death
monument and its sad crown you cannot
take your eyes from the last coronation Of a
good and faithful servant of the Republic.
But you must see that the courtyard has been
decorated with admirable effect. 1t is a com
plete square of black hangines. relieved with
bright silver; the "R" Of the Republic is
contrasted with the simple CO of Carnot.
The courtyard is bathod in sunshine, bnt
there is not a NOOK or corner of the -four sides
of the Court Of Honour that is not banked up
with masses Of flowers, crowns, wreaths,
cushions. and crosses. The VIII tie wreath
sent with such affectiOhate words by Queen
Victoria Of England is adjacent TO the beauti-
full flowers presented to Madame CarnOt by the
Prince and Princess of Wales. and you may be
sure they are frequently visited by the young
diplomatists of The English Embassy aud by
the officers IN 1ull UNIFORM, VINO nave been
deputed 10 represent the { curt of Enr and.
To describe the floral offerings which scented
the vast courtyard would be impossible, but
several of them had u very special significance.
Some of us who have seen Paris in the days
Of her distress and er quick recovery from
the ruin Of siege and revolution could not
help turning to the handsome gift from the
German colony in Paris, bound round with
the black, white, mud Ie' of the German
Empire. Close by this pathetic proof of an
old enemy S nobility were the courteous offer
ings OF the King and Queen OF Italy and
every sect and society of Italian origin, as if
to show a marked horror of the deed that
had distressed the Italian nation, and to-day
made France a mourIIer. 1t can easily be
imagined how some of the gifts of flowers had
Il special artistic meaning. The artists of the
Sevres and Gobelins factories reproduce their
tints and colours by means of flowers. The
S6vres wreath 10, ked like china; the Gobelin
workmen suggested tapestry in flowers.
And now the order comes to clear the
coultway and 10 marshal the various pro-
ccssions which are to follow the funeral car
to Notre Dame.
IL q Ii q u
At last there is a stir once mora in the
courtyard. A couple of black and silver car
riages have arrived, and right in the centre