Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-29
GLADSTONE FUNERAL
BODY ENT0MBED WHERE REST
ENGLAND's GREATEST DEAD.
AN IMPOSING SPECTACLE.
Prince of Wales and Duke of York
PalI-Bearers-Most of Britain's Co.
Iebrities Present mt the Ceremony.
Services Throughout England.

LONDON, May 2s.-In the northern
transept Of Westminster Abbey, where
England's greatest dead rest, the body OF
the late William Ewart Gladstone was
entombed to-day. with the ceremonies Of
the nation he had served and OF the
church he had loved.
His grave is beside that of his lifelong
adversary. Benjamin Disraeli 0ord Bea-
consneld). whose marble efiigy looks
down upon it, decorated with the regalia
which Gladstone had refused.
Two possible future kings OF England
walked behind the great Commoner's cof-
FIN, and all the nobility and learning of
the State surrounded It, though the wish
Of the deceased had been for simplicity.
This official funeral, the first since that
Of Lord Palmerston, was rendered an
imposing spectacle by the magnificence
of the building in which it was solemn
lied. The coffin rested on an elevated
bier, before the altar. its plainness hid
den beneath a pail Of white and gold,
embroidered with the text, "Requiescat
in pace" Six tall candles burned beside
1t. and on either side stood the support
ers OF the pail.
ROYAL PALL-BEARERS.
The Prince Of Wales and the Duke of
York were at the head Of the coffin, and
behind them were the Marquis OF Sails
bury, the Earl of Kimberley. A. ]. Bal
four, Sir William Vernon Harcourt, the
Duke OF Rutland, Lord Rosebery, and
Mr.. Gladstone's two old-time friends
Baron Rendel and George Armistead.
Within the chancel stood the Dean of
Westminster and behind him were gath
cred the Cathedral clergy, the Arch
bishop Of Canterbury, and the scarlet
and-white-surpliced choir, filling the
chapel.
The mourners who sat in the stalls
nearest TO the bier were Mrs. Gladstone,
her sons, Herbert and Stephen, and other
members of the family, with little Doro-
thy Drew, Mr.. Gladstone's favorite
grandchild.
The Princess Of Wales and the Duchess
Of York occupied the Deans pew oppo-
site.
BRITAINS CELEBRITIES.
In tiers of temporary seats in the north
and south transepts were assembled the
members of the two houses of Parlia-
ment, the mayors of principal cities, dele
gates from the Liberal organizations, and
representatives of other civic and polit-
cal organizations, while the long nave
was crowded with thousands Of men and
women, among them being most of the
celebrities in all branches OF English life.
and every gallery, balcony, and niche.
high up among the rafters, held cluster
Of deeply spectators In all
900 persons were assembled in the Abbey.
all clothed In the deepest black, save
few OF those whose regalia cleaned bril-
IiantIy from this sombre background.
Thousands thronged the square outside,
in order to witness the passage OF the
funeral procession from Westminster
Hall.
The procession that accompanied the
remains TO the grave was composed Of
most Of the notable people in London,
and the funeral services were full Of
pathos.
The Bishop of London officIated, and the
Archbishop of Canterbury pronounced the
benediction.
MRS. GLADSTONE BRAVE.
Mrs. Gladstone stood bravely, with
great composure, throughout the service.
Her face was lifted upward. and her lips
were moving, as though repeating the
lines of the service.
The Prince Of Wales the Duke Of York,
and other pall-bearers shook hands with
Mrs. Gladstone, the mourners then filed
past the grave taking last view OF the
coffin, and when they had been escorted
down the nave 10 the entrance the people
slowly departed
Memorial services in honor OF Mr.. Glad
stone were held to-day all over England.