The funeral of Thackeray.
--On the 20th ult. the remains of Thackeray were interred in Kense', Green Cemetery, near London. A London paper thus describes the funeral obsequies of this brilliant writer:There was but one mourning coach, and in this and the succeeding carriage, which was the private one of the deceased, were created the Rev. F. St John Thackeray and Mr. James Rodd, cousins of the deceased; Captain Shaw, his brother-in law, and the Hon. R. Curzon. The remaining carriages were those of Mr. Martin Thackeray, Gen. Low, Lord Gardiner, Sir W. Frazer, Hon R Curzon, Earl Granville, Mr. Macan by, Q. C., Sir James Colville, and Messrs. Bradbury and Evans. The funeral service was read by the chaplain of the cemetery, the Rev. Chas. Stewart.
When the coffin was placed in the little chapel of the burial ground a strong desire was manifested by nearly every one to enter the building, but the space inside was soon occupied as far as it could be conveniently, and the pervading reverence for the departed was quite sufficient to prevent any unseemly pressure. After the conclusion of the first portion of the service, the mass of those present proceeded to the grave, which is in a quiet spot on the left side of the cemetery, and not far from the entrance gate. In looking around men were to be seen on every side whose writings constitute the mental food of our people — the muscle and flesh of our literature. Mr. Dickens was naturally present at the solemnity. Some who were aware of the long-established friendship between the deceased and the author of "sartor Resartus," looked for him, too, in the group; but Mr. Carlyle dislikes crowds; and is all but a septuagenarian, and he was not recognized among the spectators.
Among other mourners were Mr. Tom Taylor, Mr. Shirley Brooks, Mr. Mark Lemon, Mr. John Leech, Mr. Tennie., Mr. Horace Mayhew, in short, the whole staff of contributors to Punch; Mr. Robert Browning, the poet; Mr. Anthony Trollope, Mr. Theodore Martin, Mr. John Hollingshead, Mr. G. H Lewes, Mr. Dallas, Dr. W Russell, Sir James Carmichael, Mr. H Cole, Mr. Robert Bell, Or Creswick, R A; Mr. George Cruikshank, Archdeacon Hale, Mr. E Piggot, Mr. Louis Blane, &c. The numbers present amounted to nearly a thousand.
The scene at the grave, both during and after the ceremony of interment, was extremely affecting. The silence was profound, and every countenance bespoke a deep sense of the which the nation. as well as individuals, have sustained. When the service had terminated the Misses Thackeray, the two daughters of the deceased, who had formed no part in the procession, but who were in the chapel, approached the open grave and looked into it with a grief which was touching to behold. After they had withdrawn other relatives advanced for the same purpose, and these again were followed by the immediate friends, and successively by almost everybody present.
