Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Funeral Of Napoleon's Mother. Rome, Feb. 7, 1836.
1 found the church dimly lighted , and the altars hung with black ; the priests in their embroidered robes , and the Capuchin monks in their p icturesque habits and long beards , gliding with noiseless step between the aisles , would have made a fine study for a painter . The body at last arrived in the state carriage of the cardinal , attended by a few domestics in the imperial livery , and the ladies of the household . It was received by the choir chaunting the service of the dead , while
and placed upon a p latform covered with a pall of cloth of gold ; the last rites of relig ion were performed—these were brief—masses had previously been said in the chapel of the palace , ancl concluded with Mozart ' s magnificent requiem . At the termination of the service the sarcophagus was opened , and for the last time the remains of the mother of Napoleon exposed to human sight , in order that the notary might verify the delivery of the body to the features of the
tlie church ; I approached with awe and gazed upon dead ; their expression , for I had seen her living , had not changed ; ancl the pale hue of death increased the resemblance to the busts of her son ; his ample brow ancl aquiline nose were plainly to be traced . The body was dressed iu a habit of dark purple velvet , a veil of rich lace fell from the head on either side of the countenance reaching to the feeta crucifix was laced upon its breast .
, p A few favoured individuals were permitted to kiss the hand of the deceased ; when the recognition being completed , the lid of the sarcophagus was closed and the remains shut , most probably , from sight for ever . The inscription placed upon the coffin by her previously expressed command , was simple and appropriate .
" LETITIA , MATER NAPOLEONIS . " The armorial bearings were a shield with an eagle surmounted by the imperial crown . By command of the Pope the funeral was strictly private ; not more than thirty persons besides the priests were admitted in the church .
Mother of him whose giant-mind Aim'd at the empire of mankind , Gather'd beneath his eagle ' s wings , — Mother , whose womb didst teem with kings , 'Tis past—thy care worn spirit ' s fled , And thou hast join'd the mighty dead ; I saw thee livingand could trace
, Majestic sorrow in thy face ; The broken heart , the unspoken care , The silent grief , the fix'd despair , Removed alike from hope or fears , Too deep for words , too proud for tears . I wept while gazing on thy brev , But sl-ed no tear to see thee now .
This city of tbe dead , old Rome , Was in thy grief a fitting home ; For here the records of the past Around each spot their shadows cast , And thou didst find amid their gloom All earth could yield—a living tomb . VOL . iv . - ' !¦
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Funeral Of Napoleon's Mother. Rome, Feb. 7, 1836.
1 found the church dimly lighted , and the altars hung with black ; the priests in their embroidered robes , and the Capuchin monks in their p icturesque habits and long beards , gliding with noiseless step between the aisles , would have made a fine study for a painter . The body at last arrived in the state carriage of the cardinal , attended by a few domestics in the imperial livery , and the ladies of the household . It was received by the choir chaunting the service of the dead , while
and placed upon a p latform covered with a pall of cloth of gold ; the last rites of relig ion were performed—these were brief—masses had previously been said in the chapel of the palace , ancl concluded with Mozart ' s magnificent requiem . At the termination of the service the sarcophagus was opened , and for the last time the remains of the mother of Napoleon exposed to human sight , in order that the notary might verify the delivery of the body to the features of the
tlie church ; I approached with awe and gazed upon dead ; their expression , for I had seen her living , had not changed ; ancl the pale hue of death increased the resemblance to the busts of her son ; his ample brow ancl aquiline nose were plainly to be traced . The body was dressed iu a habit of dark purple velvet , a veil of rich lace fell from the head on either side of the countenance reaching to the feeta crucifix was laced upon its breast .
, p A few favoured individuals were permitted to kiss the hand of the deceased ; when the recognition being completed , the lid of the sarcophagus was closed and the remains shut , most probably , from sight for ever . The inscription placed upon the coffin by her previously expressed command , was simple and appropriate .
" LETITIA , MATER NAPOLEONIS . " The armorial bearings were a shield with an eagle surmounted by the imperial crown . By command of the Pope the funeral was strictly private ; not more than thirty persons besides the priests were admitted in the church .
Mother of him whose giant-mind Aim'd at the empire of mankind , Gather'd beneath his eagle ' s wings , — Mother , whose womb didst teem with kings , 'Tis past—thy care worn spirit ' s fled , And thou hast join'd the mighty dead ; I saw thee livingand could trace
, Majestic sorrow in thy face ; The broken heart , the unspoken care , The silent grief , the fix'd despair , Removed alike from hope or fears , Too deep for words , too proud for tears . I wept while gazing on thy brev , But sl-ed no tear to see thee now .
This city of tbe dead , old Rome , Was in thy grief a fitting home ; For here the records of the past Around each spot their shadows cast , And thou didst find amid their gloom All earth could yield—a living tomb . VOL . iv . - ' !¦