RESUSTICATED.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2917, 6 June 1888, Page 2

RESUSTICATED.

Burials alive are far more common in hot countries, where the burial takes place within twenty-four hours after death than they are here, In Spain the body is frequently removed to the undertakers shop a few hours after death, In one of the largest of these establishments in Madrid some years ago, an extraordinary sight was witnessed. A gentleman was brought in his " casket" ono afternoon, and placed in the room set apart for that branch of the business. The proprietor lived over his premises, and on this especial evening he was giving a grand ball. When the ball was at its height a gentleman in full evening dress i suddenly joined the company. He danced with the wife of the undertaker, he danced with the undertaker's daughter, and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself. The undertaker thought ho knew his, face but didn't like to bs rude, and ask him his name; but by-and-by all the guesti departed, and the strange gentlemaW was the only one left. " Shall I senu' for a cab for you 1" asked the host at last. "No, thank you," replied the gentleman, " I'm staying in the house." " Who are you, sir ?" " What 1 don't you know me! I'm the corpse that was brought in this afternoon." The undertaker horrified, rushed to tho mortuary room, aud found the coffin empty. His wife and daughter had been dancing with a corpse. An explanation, of course, followed. The • gentleman, who had only been iu a trance, had suddenly recovered, and, hearing music and revelry above, and having a keen sense of humour, bad a got out of his coffin (the Spanish coffin closes with a lid, and is only locked previous to interment), and joined the festive throng. Ho was quite presentable, as in Spain the dead are generally buried in full evening dress.