The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1909-12-23
LEOPOLD LAID
BESIDE QUEEN
Imposing Ceremony in
Brussels.
DISORDER IN The STREETS
Great Throng Pays Homage to
Dead King.
CARDINAL Mercser Celebrstes Requiem
Mass In Ola Cathedral with
Disti.sslsAed Company @
81 HigA Rank An
Spectators.

Brussels, Dec. 3z.--A torrentiai rain,
accompanied by driving wind. ush-
cred In the funeral day OF King Leo
pold II. but as the IMPOSING military
cortege left the royal palace and
slowly moved to the Cathedral the
downpour ceased. the gale died away
and there remained such dull, gray
morning as signailed the sovereign's
death.
The occasion was marited by q gen.
erai suspension of business, and un-
dfsmayed by tempestuous weather.
vast crowds were early In possession
Of every point OF vantage along the
route that the cortege would take.
while near the palace and the cathe-
drai. the throngs were so great that
they all but overcome the strong re-
straining force OF soldiers and police
The scene was impressive as the
cortege passed through the streets
whose crowds, massed on the side
walks at the windows and upon bal
comics and roofs. paid respectful hon.
age.
More impressive as a spectacle, how
ever, was the scene At the cathedrai
I.
magnificent Gothic pile which from
the city's eminence dominates the
many architectural beauties Of ancient
Brussels.
The imperial nave Of the cathedral
was draped with Tong tapestries OF
black bordered with white and form
ing q sombre background for the
famous statues OF the apostles. The
majestic catafalque surrounded by
the crown and embedded In a mass OF
glowing tapers rested In the center OF
the transept. On either side were
streamers OF mourning suspended from
the mammoth dome above The mas
sive main altar was ablaze with can
dies. In the body OF the church were
grouped foreign princes. diplomats,
delegations and government officiais.
The cortege entered the transept
portal headed by officers of the army
and civic guard IN full uniform and
followed by the judges In their scar
let robes, the ministers. members OF
parliament and many priests. Behind
the velvet covered casket walked
Prince Albert. who wore the uniform
OF O general
solemn requiem mass was ceie-
brated by Cardinal Mercier. The fam
Gus collegiate choir Of Brussels rem
dered magnificentiy and without or
gan accompaniment .,Dies Irae" and
aDe Profundis."
The mass was tremendously fob
lowed by the rites OF the absciutlon
performed over the body by Ave bish-
ops and the papal nuncio.i This con-
eluded, the cortege was reformed and
proceeded to the church at Lacken.
As the imposing military cortege
left the cathedral and passed through
the denser parts OF the city, the
crowds increased and impatiently surg
ed against the cordons of soldiers VINO
guarded the line OF march. The aol-
diers were unable to restrain the
spectators, who soon became riotous.
FOR a time disof der reigned. The
lines were broken and in the hopeless
confusion that followed the carriages
of the members OF parliament were
intercepted and the funeral parade all
but broken up. The police ana SOL
diers struggled with the excited peo-
pie and In the clash many persons
were so bruised that they were later
sent to the hospitals.
At Lacken, where solemn burial
service was held. she assemblage was
brilliant and Included the women OF
the royal family. several missionaries
from the Congo and . negro man.
The body OF Leopold II, was placed
In the royal burial vault. in the church
OF st. Mary at Lacken. the suburban
residence of the royal family. Near 1t
rests the remains of his queen. Marie
Henrietta, the Princess Josephine and
the young Duke of Brabant. There
also repose the bones of Leopold and
Queen Louise.
The funeral and burial were con-
Quoted with all the pomp and cere-
mony OF which the state was capable.
despite the wish expressed by the
monarch In his Will that the obsequies
should be of the simplest.
Sons of Baroness.
PontoIse. France. Dec. 22.--Lueien
and Philippe, sons Of the late King
Leopold and Baroness Vaughan. ac-
companied by their governesA. drove
from Balincourt to the little village
of Arronville today and attended
special mass celebrated by Able Nor
nant. for the repose CT the monarch's
soul.
The boys wore white sailor suits
upon the sleeves OF which were bands
of crepe.
The mayor and other personages
prominent in the village life were
present. Baroness Vaughan did not
appear.
Taft VIII Attend Mass.
washington. Dec 22.-President
Taft accompanied by practically all
the members of his cabinet. will at