Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne, Taken from Original SourcesAshton, John
History
Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne, Taken from Original Sources
Ashton, John
Great Britain -- History -- Anne, 1702-1714; Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 18th century
'Every Thing being ready to move (it must be remember'd that I always
speak of middling People, among whom the Customs of a Nation are most
truly to be learn'd), one or more Beadles march first, each carrying a
long Staff, at the End of which is a great Apple or Knob of Silver.
The Minister of the Parish, generally accompany'd by some other
Minister, and attended by the Clerk, walks next; and the Body carry'd
as I said before, comes just after him. The Relations in close
Mourning, and all the Guests two and two, make up the rest of the
Procession. The Common Practice is to carry the corpse thus into the
Body of the Church, where they set it down upon two Tressels, while
either a Funeral Sermon is preach'd, containing an Eulogium upon the
deceased, or certain Prayers said, adapted to the Occasion. If the
Body is not bury'd in the Church, they carry it to the Church Yard
belonging to the same, where it is interr'd in the Presence of the
Guests, who are round the Grave, and they do not leave it 'till the
Earth is thrown in upon it. Then they return Home in the same order
that they came, and each drinks two or three Glasses more before he
goes Home. Among Persons of Quality 'tis customary to embalm the Body,
and to expose it for a Fortnight or more on a Bed of State. After
which they carry it in a Sort of a Waggon[71] made for that Purpose,
and cover'd with black Cloth, to the Place appointed by the Deceased.
This Cart is attended by a long train of Mourning Coaches belonging to
the Friends of the Dead Person.'
[Footnote 71: A hearse.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account