The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-26
BURGER DRY GOODS co.

mystery has been for ever solved, and that the suit of the claimant, MT. G. II. Druce, to the Portland estates falls to the ground
 There was something singularly dra- matic in the scene at Highgate cemetery, in this cold wintry weather one of the deariest spots to be found. The great granite monument which has stood for so many years has been removed, and d shed had been erected near the place of interment into which the coffin was to be raised, and where it would be opened.
 Several others had to be removed be- fore that identified as the casket of MT. T. c, Druce could be brought to the surface of the great vault in which it was inferred.
 After this the undertakers cut through the leaden covering. and in a moment of intense silence, relieved only by the crack Ing noise of the opening lead, glimpse of white drapery was seen within, and deep in the coffin lay figure covered by a linen sheet.
 When this was removed the body of an old man was exposed to view. in so re- markable state of preservation that death might have been supposed to have been quite recent. There could be no doubt that the story of the bogus burial was utterly false, and the great secret which has caused much discussion and so much heart-burping was given to the world.
 The material of the Druce case would have made splendid novel in the hands of Dickens, and certainly it has occupied the minds of the public with unfagging interest for many months.
 The opening of the Druce coffin recalls the fact of other disturbances of the dead George the Fourth once insisted on lrtf 1H r4s..< Castle, and among other graves which he desecrated was that of Charles the First. l was told of an old man of much dis tinction describing the scene, and the breathless interest with which those who were standing round the coffin watched for sight of the remains of the mar tyred King.
 the hair had grown longer, the face was intact save for the nose, and the visible scar round the neck showed the indelible trace of his untimely death. George the Fourth, who had no rever- ence, insisted on having the head held up for his inspection.
 Dean Stanley, in the course of investi- gations in the Abbey, opened several of the graves of the distinguished dead, and in 1774 Edward the First's tomb was opened. and the body in its regal robes was exposed to view.
 The same fate befeH the remains of Edward the Fourth, Henry the Fourth and the Second James.
 Cromwells head was taken from his grave, and was exhibited for many years on the top of Westminster hall. One stormy night it was blown down, picked up by sentry, and hidden in chimney corner.
 It was bartered by one owner and an- other, until 1t came into the possession of Dr. Wilkinson.
 l remember many years ago being pres ent in Tintern Abbey when the grave of one of the ancient abbots was opened. 1t was a twilight evening, and when the slab had been removed and the coffin brought to light for one moment after it was opened the old abbot lay in all the simplicity and dignity of the ancient eccie- siastic, the robes seemed intact. the hand still grasped a chalice, but 1t was as though a vision had passed before one s eyes, for a few moments of contact with the outer air and the. mortal remains had crumbled away to dust. London, Eng, January 26.