A COSTERMONGER’S FUNERAL.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 220, 22 February 1875, Page 3

A COSTERMONGER’S FUNERAL.

Whitecross street, St. Luke’s, one of the dirtiest in the metropolis, was the scene of a very singular and impressive ceremony on November 29. The members of the Golden lane Costermongers’ Sick and Burial Society, of which the Right Hon the Earl of Shaftesbury is president, assembled there for the purpose of paying the last honors to the first of their brethren who has died since the formation of the society. The deceased was a costermonger named Benwell, a man fortysix years of age, who has left a widow and six children, and who died of cancer in the mouth. A singular circumstance in connection with his death was that it took place immediately after the funeral of his mother, a woman who had reached the mature age of four score years and four. The funeral arrangements were under the management of a member of the society uamed Hearley, who has recently added the business of an undertaker to that of a costermonger. The hearse was a really handsome one, decorated with a profusion of ostrich plumes and drawn by four horses, and immediately behind it were three well-appointed mourning coaches. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, every member of the society and a large concourse of sympathisers assembled at two o’clock opposite the residence of the deceased, and there were not less than 500 persons present when the procession started. The cortege was preceded by an excellent band, wlio played the “Dead march in Saul,” the “Adeste Fideles,” and other appriate airs. Immediately after the band were Mr W. J. Orsman, of the General Post Office, the truly benevolent founder and manager of the Golden-lane missions to the costermongers, and Mr George Carter, vestryman, the honorary secretary of the society, who, next to Lord Shaftesbury and Mr Orsman, has been the chief agent in the establishment of the above, and similar societies for the moral and social improvement of the costermongers for the parish of St Luke’s, Mr Carter wore a really beautiful scarf, embroidered with gold, which has been presented to him by the costermongers in testimony of their gratitude for the services he had rendered them. Following these gentlemen were the members of the society, all of whom wore handsome purple scarves, and after them came the magnificent banners of the society, composed of blue and crimson silk, and decorated with allegorical paintings by Mr Ellem, of Hackney road. In passing through Old street the cortege met the Irish Amnesty demonstrationists on their return from Hyde Park, but the latter politely made way for it and ceased playing. The deceased costermonger was interred in Ilford Cemetery, and on the return of those who took part in the procession a very earnest and eloquent funeral sermon was preached by Mr Orsman in the Golden lane Mission Hall to a large and attentive audience.