CHAPTER XXIV.

FUNERAL OBSEQUIES.

Manifestations of Grief.-Suspension of Business.-Lying in State in Library Hall.-Funeral Ceremonies.-Vast Concourse in Attendance.-Services Conducted by Dr. Wilson, and Dr. Stebbins.-Pall Bearers.-The Procession.-Remains Deposited in Family Vault.-Observances at Syracuse, Auburn, Aurora, Cayuga, Towanda, Syracuse University.-Dr. Stebbins' Address." Our Founder."

EVIDENCES of the universal respect entertained by the entire community, and the all-prevailing sorrow which was experienced by all classes of people, in consequence of the lamented death of Mr. Cornell, were everywhere manifested. Public buildings, dwellings, and business houses generally, were draped in mourning, while on the day designated for the observation of the funeral obsequies, all of the public offices, banks, stores, factories, and shops were closed, and there was an entire cessation of the usual avocations and business pursuits throughout the village. The funeral ceremonies were attended by a vast concourse of people, and were impressive beyond any previous demonstration of the locality. Al

most the entire population were in attendance, together with thousands from the surrounding towns, while large numbers of prominent citizens from every quarter of the State were present to evidence their respect for the dead, and sympathy for the living. The subjoined account of the funeral, which was published in the Ithaca Daily Journal, is herewith presented as an appropriate conclusion of the record of this notable and useful

career.

THE FUNERAL CEREMONIES.

EARTH TO EARTH; ASHES TO ASHES."

[From the Ithaca Daily Journal, December 12th.]

This morning broke bright and cold, the threatening appearances of the evening previous having fortunately proved delusive. Somewhat later, grayish, fleecy clouds floated lazily across the sun, though not of sufficient density to entirely obscure his brightness or to create apprehensions of a storm.

But though all nature wore a cheerful aspect, the appearance of the town was gloomy enough. Everywhere the eye rested it saw nothing but the trappings of woe. Every store, hotel, and public building, and many private residences were heavily draped, and every flag hung at half-mast. Those business men who had festooned their store-fronts in black upon the first sad news of our public calamity, had more heavily and elaborately draped them on this day when the last solemn rites were to be paid to their deceased friend, helper and counsellor ; and those who had not hitherto displayed any public evidences of grief, now seemed to vie The result of their

with each other in appropriate decorations.

combined labors was such as to cast an air of funereal gloom over

the town, the like of which had never before been witnessed, not even on that woeful day when the news was received of the "deep damnation of the taking off" of the peerless President--Abraham Lincoln. Portraits of the Founder of Cornell University-most of them very faithful likenesses-were to be seen here and there, surrounded by tasteful black borders, and surmounted by mottoes, expressing the estimate which the various owners of the portraits had of Ezra Cornell. "Humanity has lost a friend," "Our greatest and best friend has fallen," were a few the reporter recalls of the many which he noticed.

Business was not formally suspended until noon, but it may be said to have been suspended, in fact, all day; little else being done than preparing for the funeral ceremonies, and little else being discussed but Ithaca's irreparable loss. The people from the country came thronging in at an early hour, and trains from every direction brought large numbers to swell the already great multitudes gathered here. The stages and 'buses, which were draped in mourning, as also were the cars, were constantly in requisition to carry the fresh arrivals on the different trains to the already over-crowded hotels. All the forenoon the main streets were thronged with people, their numbers increasing in a sort of geometrical proportion as the time drew nearer and nearer the hour for the final scene.

LIBRARY BUILDING.

The entrances are beautifully and heavily draped, as also all the windows, with rosettes black and white; from the cornices depend heavy folds of drapery. The residence is without any sign of mourning except the usual simple badge on the door knobs. At half past nine o'clock precisely the corpse was removed from the residence to Library Hall, borne by eight student pall bearers, passing through a line of cadets, armed and uniformed, extending to the door of the Library. Company A, Fiftieth Battalion, National Guard, guarded the entrance and passage-ways to the Hall. A guard of honor, consisting of a company of Cornell cadets, surrounded the bier. The coffin was placed on a catafalque in the

centre of the hall, and in viewing the corpse, the crowd passed in at the west door and out through the south door. During the three hours and a half that the remains laid in state, to be viewed by the public, hundreds and hundreds of people, with uncovered heads and solemn step, passed through the hall. By actual count, four thousand people took a last look at the honored dead. The corpse, although bearing evidences of wasting disease, looked very natural and beautiful.

DECORATIONS OF THE HALL.

Library Hall was most beautifully and appropriately decorated. Upon the platform immediately under the arch stood the life-sized portrait of Mr. Cornell, which had been removed thither from its accustomed place in the Library.

The picture never showed to better advantage than as it stands there above the lifeless features from which it was painted. The frame of the portrait is trimmed in mourning, and above it in large evergreen letters is Mr. Cornell's talismanic motto, "True and Firm,” the same which is carved upon his new residence. Over the motto is the monogram E. C. on a white shield bordered with flowers. At the foot of the portrait there is a beautiful mourning rosette, and the American flag arranged in the form of a shield. This represents the patriotic side of Mr. Cornell's life. Upon the right are the emblems of the University. There is a vacant Founder's chair, draped in black, with the exception of a medallion of Mr. Cornell on the back, which is surrounded by a wreath of white natural flowers, daisies, bouvardia, Chinese primroses, and other rare flowers, the wreath proper being principally smilax. The chair stands there upon the stage, a sad reminder of the joy

ous

commencement occasions, when it was occupied by the founder. On the left of the portrait, is a small marble-topped stand bearing a cross and crown, which are offerings of the Kappa Alpha society. There are also on this side of the stage, several bunches of cereals, emblems of agriculture, one of the industries promoted by the honored dead. The wall at the back of the stage is completely covered with sombre drapery; over the stage