Torch-Light Funeral.

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 520, 15 May 1880, Page 2

Torch-Light Funeral.

A funereal demonstration of torches, tin cans, and coffin, paraded the streets of Carlyle last night. The slumbrous calm which usually pervades this infant city at 8 p.m. was rudely invaded by a procession of fifty torch-bearers, moving with mock solemnity up Taranaki-road, preceded by a white horse bearing trophies of some depaitcd lieio, the said trophies being two large top-boots fixed backward in the stirrups. Next came the coffin, a whitey-grey box emblazoned with black emblems of a skull and cross-bones, bearing this melancholy legend oh the side, “ Ilequiescat in pace” The coffin-end exhibited the “arms” of the illustrious dead, videlicet: mortar and pestle, with Esculnpius rod crossing the shield bar-sinister fashion, and the initials “ M.P.” in the quarterings. This coffin was carried high on the shoulders of deceased’s nearest relatives ; and there followed a long train of mourners, arranged in (list, second, and third degrees, according to kinship. The principal mourner was that noble white horse, bearing those empty boots so eloquent of the “ loved and lost.” The band of impromptu musicians came last ; and their slow and solemn music added the last touch of woe to the lugubrious cortege. Not many dry eyes were visible as the slow and solemn spectacle moved along in silence too deep for words; the. affecting hush being broken only by the strains of (he “ Dead March,” diunnned on twenty or thirty tin cans, or by the smothered sob of some mourner struggling to keep down the “ grief that must have way.” Having processionised up the main street, the cortege diverged past the residence of the deceased medical attendant, and then diverged again past the Public Library, which the departed so often frequented. Having paused there, the band playing a solemn serenade, the funeral party moved more rapidly towards the place of interment. They reached the river bridge. They paused. The “ undertaker” stepped forward, and said, “ Fellow mourners, we are about to deposit the remains of our dear departed brother where we know his great spirit will sleep in peace. As we never knew aught that was good of him, let us say nothing that is bad. Lower him to his native element, and leave him alone in his glory.” —The coffin was then lowered with a splash into the river. It bubbled, sank, and rose again ; floating out seaward in the heavy silence, watched by streaming eyes in sad surprise. That was the end of him. One small sad voice was heard in the darkness, and it said, “ Bad luck to him.”