Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 June 1885 — VICTOR HUGO’S FUNERAL. [ARTICLE]

VICTOR HUGO’S FUNERAL.

A Round Millio n of Piersons Estimated to Have Witnessed the Great Cortege. Six Eloquent Orations Delivered at the Tomb by Illustrious Sons of the Republic. [Condensed from the eable dispatches. 1 Hundreds of thousands of people were abroad in Paris at daybreak,, already crowding th« streets and boulevards through which the great procession was to move that r.ccom: anted th( lemains of Victor Hugo to their last restingplace in the Pantheom Owing to the crowded condition of the hotels thousands were compelled to biveuao In the open sir all night. Around the Arc- de Triomphe the spaoe was fll'ed with the chief officers of the state, the members of the Diplomatic Corps, Senators, and Deputies. From all directions came deputation! with draped banners and bearing flowers and gigantic wreaths, and all moved In the direction of the Aro de Triomphe, the Mecca ol Franoe to-day. Neves did Paris present such a scene. The funeral procession started punctually ai noon. Many vehicles, heaped up with the offerings of the people of France, followed the hearse in the procession. The buildings were black with peoule, as was, indeed, every point from which might be had a view of the unparalleled spectacle. All in the procession seemed to appreciate that France was doing honor to her most illustrious poet. All were quiet, and all observed • most becoming demeanor. Tho pressure of ths packed masses of people was frightful to contemplate, and many of those who were “In th« packs" were seriously crushed. Six orations were delivered under the Aro d« Triomphe, in the presence of nearly all th< illustrious men of France. M. Leroyer, President of the Senate, said Victor Hugo constantly pursued the highei Ideal of justice and humanity, and thus exercised an immense influence over the moral feeling of France. M. Flequei said that the ceremony to-day wat not a funeral; It was an apotheosis. He hailed Vlotor Hugo as the Immortal apostle who bequeathed to humanity that gospel which could lead the people to the definitive conquest ot liberality and equality. FToquet's oration touched the hearts of his hearers, and wai greatly applauded. M. Augler, a member of the academy, elaborated tho fact made evident to-day: “To tht sovereign poet France renders sovereign honors.” M. Goelet, President of the Chamber of Deputies, declared that Victor Hugo will remain th« highest personification of the nineteenth century. the history of whloh, in its contradictions, doubts, Ideas, and i spiratlons, was best reflected in his works. Tho character of Victor Huge was profoundly human, and represented th< sp rit of toleration and of peace. The Binging of revolutionary and patriotic songs by bands of men gathered beyond th« reach of the voices ot the orators Interrupted some of the unity of the eulogies, but beyond tills there was nothing to mar the beauty or detract from the impressiveness of the spectacle. • Tho funeral coremonies were completed, and the march of the procession ended without anything happening that might bo called of a disorderly character. The police arrested several bearers of red flags, which were unturled at the starting points ol headquarters of the several revolutionary societies. Metz, Btrasbourg, and all the fortress town* in the annexed provinces were well represented. Every point of view was crowded with men, women, and children. The tops of five-story houses and even tho chimneys wero ocoupled by sight-seers. Georges Hugo walked alone behind the bier. During the procession a vast scaffolding on the Place Cluny collapsed. Many persons were injured, but none killed. The fall caused a great panic and confusion, hut the prooesslon was soon refotmed. Another platform fell on the liue Royalo. It Is estimated that tho procession numbered 1,000,000 persons. Not a single priest was seen in the line. “Letttla Ucrum." Among the many beautful things which Vlotor Hugo has written of children is a stanza in his poem, “Letitia Iterum,” which may be thus approached in translation: “Children, through your eyes all sparkling 1 gaze into heaven's blue; Your smillngs are its sunbeams; Your tears, Its morning dew.” In English. Vlotor Hugo was once asked If he could write poetry in English, and he answered, “Yes, sir.” Here is a specimen: Quand je me sens du spleen, J entre dans un Inn, Et je bois du gin, God save the Queen.