New-York tribune., 1908-07-12

and with clothing to wear in the Elysian Fields
Almost all older nationaIities and few modern
ones observed this custom. American Indian1
in placing food. clothing and accoutrements of
the chase beside the dead did not expect the
body to make actual use Of these things, but
believed the departed spirit would receive sus-
tenance from the spirits of the water fruit and
grain and draw the spirits Of such things he
might desire to accompany him into the Happy
Hunting Grounds.
In view of Maeterlincks assertion that plants
have souls, and mediumstic claims that mani
mate objects possess spiritual cmanation-
Indians-and others like them-may have based
their customs upon a philosophy profound
as to have been as yet. unpenetrateG by
Chaldeans were wont to provide a bowl of
dates for the spirits journey to the Hither-
world, and most Eastern peoples-notabIy the
Chinese-stilI make similar provision
In Russia and provinces of China white coca
is considered the only capable guide of tran
sient spirits. Southern negroes believe that a
white cock or hen which enters a dwelling ia
the spirit Of one who is dead or else spirit
messenger come to summon a soul in that
house Mahometans place a stone at the head
of the dead for the convenience of the cate
chizing angel who will descend into the grave
| to examine the newly released soul This is
he is about to send on its way according to the
answers received to his questions The Ma
hometan funeral cry. Speak boldly" is meant
| to encourage the soul through this ordeal
These people often write the whole Koran upon
the winding sheet of a person Of note.
In America few persons will cross the street
before a funeral; in many sections strangers
pause while one is passing. an5 i. IT, South the
hat is invariably doffed. Perhaps such habits
spread among Christian nations because for
| centuries, Mahometans have obeyed the injunc-
ton contained in their religious laws To assist
the bearers of corpse to the extent Of carrying
it ten steps. Persons of note always alght
when they meet such q cortege. and aid in car
rytng the body ten steps IN Ireland this cere-
mony is invariably observed. except that the
stranger accompanies the procession few PAGES
and does not act a bearer.
An Irish custom at funerals Is one that helps
, priests of poor country parishes not a little in
preventing every day from being a fast day with
them During funeral ceremonies the priest
cries out: who will give offerings" The near
est relative Of the dead steps forward with as
large a he give, and all the MOURN
ers vie with one another in the matter Cf gen.
erosity. The name and amount offered by each
giver are proclaimed by the priest. This is a
matter of much moment. as the bereaved family
govern their future Iargesses or the omission Of
these according to the sums mentioned and the
names omitted.
1t is said that the only time that the front Of
house is closed in Brazil Is during
funeral People gay colors 20 these af
fairs, and the fondness for color is shown in
collins for unmarried young people, which are Of
red scarlet blue. while married persons are
carried to the grave in black AS in Rome, in
recent times bodies are removed from collins
at burial and undertakers receive them back
with the hearse AS in most Spanish countries,
the bereaved family wear black for year
In Russia Old people their grave clothes
to church before they are put away for final use
In that country in this, bride or young
matron is usually buried in her wedding gown