The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-11-30
EARTH TO EARTH.
Alexander Dumas Funeral
Unmarked by Any Rell-
gious Observance.
STAR INSTEAD OF cRUCIFIx
Gorgeous Floral Display-Celebri-
ties as Mourners Popular
Disapproyal.
STAR INSTEAD OF cRUCIFIX
BIZ Cable to the United Press.

PARIS, Nov 30 .1S95.--The funeral OF
Alexandra Dumas took place here today.
The hearse arrived at the Dumas house,
No. II Rue Ampere, at 11:30 O'Clock, at
which time the street, as well the adj
joining street, Rue Alphonse de Neuville,
was crowded with people. Before the
coffin was placed in the hearse the
wreaths, of which large numbers had been
sent by the Coincide Franchise. Half of
put upon two special cars provided for
the purpose.
The floral offerings were of exquisite
design and excited great admiration.
special stand was reserved for the wreath
sent by the Comedie Francaisa. Half of
the wreath was formed with golden oak
and laurel leaves and the other half COM
posed of lovely chysanthemums, roses,
ferns and palms. The Society of Authors
and Dramatists sent an immense wreath
of pale roses, tufted pansies and white
camelias. Nine Sarah Bernhardt sent
a superb wreath of delicate orchids.
roses and palms. Costly and beautiful
wreaths were also sent by the Odeon.
Vaudeville and Gymnase theatres. and
an equally magnificent wreath was sent
by the English dramatic authors. Be
sides these there were number OF
sent as souvenirs of Dumas friendship
for strugglers in literature and the
drama
The defile of mourners before the
coffin continued until 12:l5. The portal
and interior hall of the house were
mortuary chamber in which the body lay
was similarly draped. A five-polnted Sill
yer star took the place OF the e. customarys .ist s
the casket, which was surrounded by
lighted tapers, was cushion upon which
rested the Grand Cross of the Legion
chamber in which the coffin rested
Madame Dumas and the family. of the
dead author received the condolenee OF
army officers. authors, actresses and
other persons of prominence who were
friends and admirers of M: Dumas:
NJ. Lockroy, Minister of Mariner
NM. Mesureur, Leygues. Coppee,
poumer, Minister Of Finanee; Poincare,
Catulle Mendes. Ribot, Spuller Henri de
Borner,- Mounet Sully, Sully-Prudhomme,
Pah Ha fehTe rasnso aenry mlla HaHssaye ana
Mechanics Bartet, Juliette Adam and Jane
Hading. In fact nearly every notable
person in PaF1s No Tes PRA9sRsl Y sfssndance
The interment not being, religious
one, there was very little formality
Eight mutes shouidered the coffin, the
usual prayers being omitted. and bore 1t
to the hearse. which was drawn by two
caparisoned horses. A black velvet pail
with silver stars covered the coffin, upon
which was laid NJ. Dumas green en1-
broidered Academician's coat and his
sword The pail bearers were MN. Vic
torien Sardou, Jean-Baptiste Detaille,
Emile Zola, Count Bisard- -Rouion and
the Academicians CASTOR Reissler and
Jules Claretie. The cars bearing the
wreaths preceded the cortege to the
Montmartre Cemetery, taking route
along the outer boulevards, the family
following the hearse in coaches.
The procession reached the Mont
martre Cemetery at 1:10 P. NJ. The
hearse halted near the maussoleum OF
Eugene Lahiche, where the coffin was
lowered and placed without ceremony ceremony IN
custom, the mourners shook hands with
the son-in.law Of the deceased ,r as the
representative of the family The in
habitants of the vicinity crowded into
the cemetery and it was apparent from
their manner that they greatly disliked
the non-religious earth-to-earth char
acter OF the ceremony.