Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Historical Enquiry Into The Funereal Ceremonies Of The Various Nations Of The World*
memory , while its moving character excites involuntary tears . I allude to the print which represents the poor man ' s funeral . The unfortunate human being whose sufferings had just terminated , had died friendless and in solitude . He had doubtless uttered , in an enfeebled voice , the Avishes Avhich Gilbert , expiring at the Hotel Dieu , had breathed forth in those verses , which were the last spark that emanated from the poet , and the last feelings that floived from his heart . He exclaimed while pardoning the ingrates , Avho had abandoned him , and Avith eyes directed to heaven
;"An I may they long behold your sacred beauty , Those friends deaf to my farewell ! May they die full of days , may their death bo wept ! May a friend close their eyes ' . " In the lithograph to which Ave allude , a hearse of humble pretension is seen slowly entering the avenue , ivhich conducts to the place of rest . It is alone ; no weeping Avife , or children , or relative , no mourning friends enter into the procession . We are in error ; one tender friend remains
, ivho with eloquent grief , and with head and ears inclined , sadly folloivs . This faithful animal who has shared in the prosperous and adverse days of his master , is rendering his last testimony of affection . His instinct equals our reason , his sensibility surpasses our intelligence ; he represents at the Poor Man ' s funeral , all who had loved the unfortunate creature upon earth . But at least , my Brethrenwe feel certain that the departed received
, from the hand of men those pious offices which even the humble are not denied . The hemp and flax of our fields have furnished a material , wherewith to envelope his scarcely stiffened limbs ; the trees of our forests have been laid under contribution ; in short he has enjoyed the mournful honours of the bier and shroud ; those Aveak ramparts , Avhich may for a few days protect him from the worm , until at last , delivered over
to rapid decomposition , his mortal remains shall become that ivhich , according to Bossuet ' s energetic expression , lias no name in any language , just as his memory will leave no trace in the mind of man ! Yet , my Brethren , there are dead who are yet more unfortunate , if Ave may so express ourselves , ivhom sacriligious fortune insults even after life ! In France , our lovely France , in a populous city , in the centre of one of our rich provinces , in the department Du Nord , in short at Douai ,
the soldiers AA'I IO died Avere left Avithout winding-sheet or coffin , and even cast into the chill earth , thenceforward their bed , Avithout covering . Thanks to the beneficent Lodge of Perfect Union , Orient of Douai , so afflicting a spectacle can never again be seen . A periodical * , ivhich has discovered the secret of modest benevolence , informs us that this honourable Lodge , will for the future furnish the bier and the shroud to those soldiers whose circumstances deny them this decency . Honoured ,
thrice honoured be the Avorthy Masons of the Perfect Union ! Their action is at the same time disinterested , humane , religious , and moral . Disinterested , for the benefactor can never receive even thanks from the obliged ; the body can never become re-animated in order to offer them grateful service ; the recompense can only arise from the pleasure Avhich the act brings with it . It is humane , because philanthropy is its sacred principle . There exists no personal tie between him , who is no more , and the donors , who
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Historical Enquiry Into The Funereal Ceremonies Of The Various Nations Of The World*
memory , while its moving character excites involuntary tears . I allude to the print which represents the poor man ' s funeral . The unfortunate human being whose sufferings had just terminated , had died friendless and in solitude . He had doubtless uttered , in an enfeebled voice , the Avishes Avhich Gilbert , expiring at the Hotel Dieu , had breathed forth in those verses , which were the last spark that emanated from the poet , and the last feelings that floived from his heart . He exclaimed while pardoning the ingrates , Avho had abandoned him , and Avith eyes directed to heaven
;"An I may they long behold your sacred beauty , Those friends deaf to my farewell ! May they die full of days , may their death bo wept ! May a friend close their eyes ' . " In the lithograph to which Ave allude , a hearse of humble pretension is seen slowly entering the avenue , ivhich conducts to the place of rest . It is alone ; no weeping Avife , or children , or relative , no mourning friends enter into the procession . We are in error ; one tender friend remains
, ivho with eloquent grief , and with head and ears inclined , sadly folloivs . This faithful animal who has shared in the prosperous and adverse days of his master , is rendering his last testimony of affection . His instinct equals our reason , his sensibility surpasses our intelligence ; he represents at the Poor Man ' s funeral , all who had loved the unfortunate creature upon earth . But at least , my Brethrenwe feel certain that the departed received
, from the hand of men those pious offices which even the humble are not denied . The hemp and flax of our fields have furnished a material , wherewith to envelope his scarcely stiffened limbs ; the trees of our forests have been laid under contribution ; in short he has enjoyed the mournful honours of the bier and shroud ; those Aveak ramparts , Avhich may for a few days protect him from the worm , until at last , delivered over
to rapid decomposition , his mortal remains shall become that ivhich , according to Bossuet ' s energetic expression , lias no name in any language , just as his memory will leave no trace in the mind of man ! Yet , my Brethren , there are dead who are yet more unfortunate , if Ave may so express ourselves , ivhom sacriligious fortune insults even after life ! In France , our lovely France , in a populous city , in the centre of one of our rich provinces , in the department Du Nord , in short at Douai ,
the soldiers AA'I IO died Avere left Avithout winding-sheet or coffin , and even cast into the chill earth , thenceforward their bed , Avithout covering . Thanks to the beneficent Lodge of Perfect Union , Orient of Douai , so afflicting a spectacle can never again be seen . A periodical * , ivhich has discovered the secret of modest benevolence , informs us that this honourable Lodge , will for the future furnish the bier and the shroud to those soldiers whose circumstances deny them this decency . Honoured ,
thrice honoured be the Avorthy Masons of the Perfect Union ! Their action is at the same time disinterested , humane , religious , and moral . Disinterested , for the benefactor can never receive even thanks from the obliged ; the body can never become re-animated in order to offer them grateful service ; the recompense can only arise from the pleasure Avhich the act brings with it . It is humane , because philanthropy is its sacred principle . There exists no personal tie between him , who is no more , and the donors , who