The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-23
Body of Sovereign Laid to Rest
 Amid Oounpour of Rain
GREAT TRRONGs ATTEND
Brilliant AssembIage Gathers In the Cathedral and Press of People Is So Great On Streets That
 Parade Is Broken.

Brussels. December 22-A torrential rain, accompanied by a driving wind ushered in the funeral day of King Leo pold II. but as the imposing military cor tege left the royal palace and slowly moved to the Cathedral the downpour ceased, the gale died away and there re- mained such dull, gray morning as sig nailed the sovereign's death.
 The occasion was marked by a general suspension of business and undismayed by tempestuous weather vast crowds were early in possession of every point of van tage along the route that the cortege would take, while near the palace and the cathedral the throngs were so great that they all but overcame the strong re- straining force of soldiers and police. The scene was impre ssive as the cortege passed through the streets whose crowds massed on the sidewalks, at the windows and upon balconies and roofs paid re- spectful homage.
 More impressive as a spectacle, how ever, was the scene at the Cathedral of St Michael and St. Gudule, that magnifi cent Gothic pile which from the city's eminence dominates the many architec- tural beauties of ancient Brussels.
 The imperial nave of the Cathedral was draped with long tapestry of black bor- dered with white and forming a sombre background for the famous statues of the apostles. The majestic catafalque, sur mounted by. the crown and imbedded in a mass of glowing tapers, rested in the cen 4I.. Eax. ..f% %fxax- e.41 1a streamers of mourning suspended from the mammoth dome above The massive main alter was ablaze with candles. In the body of the church were grouped for eign princes. diplomats, delegations and governments officials. The cortege en- tered the transept portals headed by of flcers of the army and civic guard in full uniform and followed by the judges in their scarlet robes, the ministers, members of parliament and many priests. Behind the velvet covered casket walked Prince Albert, who wore the uniform of a gen eraL.
 A solemn requiem mass was celebrated by Cardinal Mercier. The famous colle- giate choir of Brussels rendered magnifi- gently and without organ accompaniment, "Dies Irae' and De Profundis The mass was tremendously followed by the rites of absoiution performed over the body by five bishops and the papal nun cio. This concluded, the cortege was re- fornsed and proceeded to the church at Laeken.
 As the imposing military cortege left the Cathedral and passed through the denser parts of the city the crowds in- creased and impatiently surged against the cordons of soldiers who guarded the line of march. The soldiers were unable to restrain the spectators, who soon be- came riotous. For time disorder reigned. The lines were broken and in the hope less confusion that followed the carriages of the members of parliament were in- tercepted and the funeral parade all but broken up. The police and soldiers strug- gled with the excited people and In the clash many persons were so bruised that they were later sent to the hospitals.
 At Laeken, where a solemn burial serv- ice was held, the assemblage was bril- liant and included the women of the royal family, several missionaries from the Congo and 8 colored man.
 The body of Leopold II. King of the Belglans, was placed in the royal burial vault, in the church of St. Mary at Laeken, the suburban residence of the royal family. Near it rests the remains of his Queen, Marie Henrietta; the Princess Josephine and the young Duke of Brabant. There also repose the bones of Leopold I and Queen Louise.
 The funeral and burial were conducted with all the pomp and ceremony of which the state was capable. despite the wish expressed by the monarch in his will that the obsequies should be of the simplest.