Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 March 1885 — The Absurdity of It. [ARTICLE]

The Absurdity of It.

The genteel British funeral, only just emancipated from the mockery of scarfs, hat bands, ostrich feathers, and undertakers* upholstery generally, bids fair to become as absurd in a different way. The floral frenzy is being carried to ridiculous and grotesque lengths. I can understand a few flowers being scattered upon the grave of an innocent child, or even of a young girl—- “ Sweets to the sweet,” by all means—that is to say, in moderation. But to see some hoary statesman or city capitalist buried under a car-load of costly, but altogether inappropriate, vegetables is really too absurd. Take some old general. Why should his coffin be piled with lilies of the valley and maiden-hair ferns? Was he a lily of the valley, even when he was young ? Did he look in the least like a lily of the valley of late years, when he told his old bachelor stories in the club smoking-room? Not a bit. Surely it would be more decent to put his sword by his side and “his martial cloak around him,” and bury him like a man, not like a baby.— London Truth. Bernard Murphy, Champioi Youth Wa’.ker of Australia, says in the Melbourne Sportsman: “On Monday previous to the match with Ormes, of Sydney, I was attacked with the ‘stitch.’ I could not walk another yard, and gave up all hope of winning. I was advised to try St. Jacobs Oil. I did so, rubbing a little on my side. I have not been troubled since,and w on my match. ”