ordered all the excommunicated persons who had been buried in his cathedral, to rise and walk out; which they accordingly did in the sight of the people! But, dismissing puerilities, it is an interesting feature in the great necropolis which we are describing, that it is open, without test or interruption, for the reception of the dead of all nations, tribes, religions, and tongues; the Catholic and Protestant-the Jew and the Gentile the baptized and the unbaptized-the native, the foreigner, and the sojourner,* may *The remains of the brave and amiable Sir Sidney Smith were very recently deposited in this cemetery, and the detail of the funeral ceremony may not be uninteresting to the reader, nor should it be without its example to us as a people. The account is taken from Galignani's Messenger of the 31st May, 1840. "The mortal remains of the gallant and illustrious Admiral, were yesterday interred in the cemetery of Père la Chaise. The body was taken from his late residence, in the Rue d'Aguisseau, to the English Episcopal church in the same street, followed by his relatives and many of the principal English residents in Paris, among whom we noticed several officers of high rank in the British navy. The introductory part of the service was performed in the church, by the Right Rev. Bishop Luscombe, and the body was then borne to the cemetery, attended by a long train of mourning and private carriages. On the pall was placed the hat and uniform of the deceased, and on a cushion his epaulettes and his several orders. Over the foot of the coffin was spread the British Union Jack. At the conclusion of the burialservice, which was most impressively read by Bishop Luscombe, three orations were delivered, the first by M. Raoul, Avocat of the Court of Cassation, who, after pronouncing a general panegyric on the character of the deceased as a warrior, proceeded to eulogize him for his active and gener there mingle their dust together, to remain until the arrival of that period, "When not a single spot of burial earth, Make up the full account: not the least atom And each shall have its own." * The other principal cemeteries of Paris are those of Montmartre, De Vaugirard, and Mont Parnasse, of which detailed descriptions will be found in most of the Parisian "Guides." ous exertions in promoting the objects of several philanthropic societies of which he was a member, and to which his advice, his practical and scientific acquirements, and his invention were so invaluable. The next speaker, M. Julien, gave a short but comprehensive recapitulation of the services of Sir Sidney, from his first entering the British navy at the age of thirteen, and also expatiated largely on his amiable and philanthropic qualities. Both speakers were loud in their praise of Sir Sidney, for his having been almost the first to interfere for the suppression of European slavery in Africa, and for his indefatigable and strenuous exertions in that humane cause. The third gentleman, whose name we could not learn, spoke in a similar strain of eulogium of the character of Sir Sidney-as a citizen of the world, ever ready to aid the cause of humanity. Some surprise was felt, that, after these speeches had been delivered, none of his countrymen present should have come forward to pay a last tribute to his memory. No stronger testimony to his worth, could, however, be shown, than to hear his eulogium pronounced solely by members of a nation, against which, in his career of arms, he had so successfully and gloriously fought." The following report of a female émeute, as it is termed, which appeared in the French newspapers of December last, (1839,) proves the continued determination of the authorities to abolish the practice of city interments, even where the popular feeling of the locality may be opposed to the innovation. The account is altogether a singular one, and exhibits a striking contrast between the modes of thinking and acting of the rural population of France, and that of similar districts of Great Britain; and if it be possible for open rebellion to the reasonable laws of the government to be founded on good motives, and to be justified by them, the lady rebels of Montmagny will be their own best advocates with the English reader : 'Correctional tribunal of Pontois, Audienee of November 27th, 1839, before M. De Boisbrunet, President. "The Hall of Audience presented an uncommon spectacle. A numerous audience, partly composed of the inhabitants of Montmagny, seemed to look forward with lively interest to the issue of this affair. Three of the criminals, named Julien, Viard, and Testart, who, as it was said, were the most prominent and violent, were remarkable for their elevated stature and appearance of athletic force. The women shewed the most assurance. In the Gazette des Tribunaux, of the 17th July last, we reported the tragi-comic events which led to this trial; we will recapitulate them briefly. "The cemetery of Montmagny, which is situate near the church and in the very midst of the inhabi tants, was suppressed by royal order of the 1st Dec., 1824: burials were subsequently performed in a new cemetery, chosen by the Commune, at a place called Les Ruillons, when, in 1831 or 1832, from the conviction (admitted not to be without foundation), that it was too damp, and after scenes of disorder, to which the political agitations of the period were favourable, the inhabitants took violent possession of the interdicted cemetery. "The authorities felt that they should close their eyes on this infraction of the law, and burials in this cemetery, which were previously tolerated, continued till 1837. Reiterated complaints were raised against the inconveniences which might result to the public health from this state of things, and a commission was appointed, which, after ascertaining the reality of the inconveniences, resolved on the removal of the cemetery from the church to another point. The superior administration, therefore, signified to the municipal council, that it must provide itself with another place of sepulture by the 1st day of January 1840. The municipal council obstinately refusing all proposals made on this head, a decree from the prefect, dated the 11th of June last, definitively ordered that the church cemetery should be closed: at the same time prescribing burials, until another place could be found, in the cemetery of the Ruillons, -this decree caused the rebellion of the 14th July. On the morning of the 4th November, died one Emery, an old man, celebrated for his opposition to the measure which forbade the use of the former cemetery. His funeral was fixed for Sunday, the 14th, at one o'clock in the afternoon. At eight o'clock, the gendarmerie of Montmorency, and also that of Franconville, whose assistance the mayor, fearing disorders, had deemed it prudent to require, were on the spot. Learning, however, by certain reports, the effervescent state of the public mind, and the manifest intention of resisting the orders of the authorities, the magistrate soon felt convinced that this force was insufficient. He therefore, in virtue of the authority he had received two days before, from the sub-prefect, decided on requiring from the commander of the garrison of St. Denis, a company of the line. This company, about eighty strong, arrived at Montmagny, drums beating, at about one o'clock in the afternoon. It took its position in the avenue of limes, at a short distance from the mayor's house and piled arms. At half-past one, the clergy went out for the body, to the Maison Mortuaire, whence it was taken to the church, followed by a numerous train of friends and relations, and the funeral service soon commenced. Part of the troops then occupied the entrance of the former cemetery, which was obstructed by a mob of curious persons, and the rest were so disposed as to guard the two issues of the church, and thus prevent every attempt to carry off the body. The ceremony seemed at an end, and the commander of the detachment, accompanied by the brigadier of the gendarmerie of Franconville, entered to see what delayed the departure of the procession; when all of a sudden, confused murmurs were heard, and the women in particular were heard to cry out, that the carrying away of the body should not be permitted. The commander had only time to retire; but the brigadier, who had penetrated further into the church, found himself shut in; the doors were barricaded with benches and chairs, and a rush was made to the belfry, whither the corpse was carried, and whence it was soon let down; the tocsin was sounded, and all the neighbouring inhabitants were called to Montmagny. After an hour the church |