of the bereaved family, mentioning them by name, beginning with the
widow, to whom succeeded the children, two boys, one of four, and
the other of two years of age, followed by fathers, and mothers, and
brothers, and sisters to an indefinite extent, until the compliment
was duly paid to all who were supposed to have any claim to it. The
prayer was closed very much as it began, with a reference to the
suddenness of the death, which was treated as a warning sent for their
benefit, and a hope that it might be laid to heart, and induce sinners
to fly from the wrath to come. The usual time being now consumed, the
minister who had labored hard, and not without sundry hesitations
and coughings to accomplish his task, brought it to a conclusion, and
announced an appropriate hymn. There was something sadly sweet
and touching in the homely words and simple tune, sung in low and
suppressed tones, as if they were afraid of disturbing the slumbers of
the dead.

Upon the conclusion of the hymn, the person who acted as master of
the ceremonies went to the door, and, addressing those gathered round,
said that all who desired might now have an opportunity to see
the corpse. Several accepted the invitation, and among others, Mr.
Armstrong.

The coffin was placed upon a table in the centre of the room, with
a part of the lid turned back on hinges, so as to leave the face
exposed. The former friends and acquaintances of the dead man, giving
place and succeeding to one another, came, looked, and passed out
again, moving lightly on tip-toe solemnized and subdued by the awful
mystery of death. As they came in and left the house, they could see
through an open door in an adjoining room the weeping widow in full
mourning, with her little boys on either side, and the relations