A CHEERFUL FUNERAL.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 842, 27 July 1871, Page 3

A CHEERFUL FUNERAL.

There has recently been organised in England a singular incorporation entitled "The Keforined Funerals Company." . The London " Figaro " gives the following description of a funeral conducted under the auspices of the company:—Nothing can be more gloomy and disheartening in appearence than the ordinary funeral processions, so common in our cities and towns. They seem to be purposely rendered as hideous and repulsive as possible. There is nothing appropriate or becoming in their sombre adjuncts. Far otherwise is it on the Continent. There, even the humblest funeral possesses a certain amount of picturesqueness which adds considerably to its impressive character. Something of this kind is likely to be introduced here ; certainly not before it was required. The other day a unique funeral procession was observed in our metropobtan streets. The hearse was violet coloured, and altogether new in design, witli a dome roof, supporting a silver-chased celestial crown, and the sides were ornamented with large silver wreaths of immortelles. The carriages, also violet colored, were of elegant and modern construction, and were fitted with embossed glass windows and violet silk blinds. The equipages were drawn by handsome dark-gray horses in new silvermounted harness, and the assistants, attired in plain black livery, wore an armlet containing an embroidered crest. The novelty of the spectacle attracted considerable crowds, who seemed much impressed with the picturesque nature of the procession, which was organised by the Keformed Funerals Company, which appears to have energetically commenced its task of rendering the rites of death more in accordance with the real spirit of the age.

Another search for the remains of Leichardt is to be undertaken in the spring by sub-inspector Q-ilmore, on behalf of the Queensland Government. It will be remembered that this officer found portions of three skeletons, near "Wautata, in February last, and that he was informed by a blackfellow that seven white men had been murdered there by natives some years ago, and that one white man of the party was still living with the blacks. A land and water velocipede is the next novelty with which we aro to be favoured. This promises, according to the " South London Press," to put in the shade the extraordinary adventures of Rob Roy (Mr John M'Gregor), who voyaged in his tight little canoe up the river Jordan, and in many other parts of the East. Mr Jackson, of Caroline-street, Eaton Square, is constructing a velocipede which is to convey him from London to Paris without stopping, its peculiarity being that it is amphibious. The same wheels which are suitable for the road will act as paddles in the water, and appear to be as suitable for the one as for the other. The experiment has been tried with a temporary-constructed machine, and found to be practicable. Clara Louise Kellogg and Christine Nilsson must be making fortunes, according to newspaper paragraphs. Kellogg has already bought thirty-six summer residences this year, while Nilsson has invested in 105 lots of. ground of different sizes, costing in the aggregate 17,435,000 dollars, exclusive of six lots, whore the paragraphist has forgotten to mention the cost.