Newspaper Page Text
No. 7 You V.
EXTRACTS
From Sketches of the Domestick Manners and
Institutions of the Romans.
Funeral Rites—lnhumation—Custom of burning
the dead—attentions to the dying—The last
obsequies—Sepulture—The funeral pyre—Sac
rifices—Gladiatorial combats Mourning-
Tombs—Monumental inscriptions.
The simple affections of nature, indepen
dently of all civil and moral obligations,
have, in every stage of Society, dictated
thtV'ast attentions to the remains of depart
ed friends. Neither law nor religion has
prescribed the forms in which they are
paid. They grow out of sentiments of
. pnblick decorum and private regard, and
springing rather from the heart than from
the mind, are sanctioned by one cntnmoo
feeling; while the solemnity by which they
are surrounded guards them from the inno
vations to which (he less impressive actions
of life are exposed. Thus, they survive”
the common usages of society ; exist whec
customs coeval with them have ceased; and
are but slowly exchanged for newer cere
monies.
During the greater part of the common
wealth, the only mode of disposing of the
dead, among the Romans, was by inhuma
tion. At a very remote period, it is said to
have been customary with them, to iuter
the chief persons in a family in their own
houses, to which has been attributed much
of that superstitious awe of departed spirits
which formed so prominent a feature in the
Roman character. But the fact itself not
only rests upon rather weak authority, but
is in contradiction with one of their most
settled prejudices; and the consequence
deduced from it may, with more probabili
ty, be attributed to the form of their reli
gion, and to that bias of the mind to dwell
on supernatural objects which seems to be
long to all unenlightened ages.
The custom of burning the dead, though
very anciently practised among the Greeks,
and of great antiquity among the Romans,
was not generally adopted by the latter un
til towards the close of the republick; bur
it afterwards became universal, and was
continued uninterruptedly, until the intro
duction of Christianity, soon after which, ft
gradually fell into disuse.
Although the anxious solicitude with
which affection guards departing friends—
immutable as our nature, and influenced by
the vicissitudes of fashion—has been the
same ip every age, and every clime, yet
the very impulse which directs it has given
birth to various forms, as Anal demonstra
tions of respect and tokens of regard.
Among the Romans, the bed of the dying
was never abandoned to hireling attend
ants, but was surrounded by relatives and
intimates, who lavished every endearing at
teution due to the melancholy occasion.
As life began to ebb, they, in succession,
and in accents of the deepest sorrow, bade
a long farewell to their expiring friend;’
and, when the last awful moment approch
ed, the nearest relation present closed the
eyes, while, from an idea that the soul was
eenaled in the last sigh, he bent over the
body to catch the parting breath. The
corpse was then bathed and perfumed;
dressed in the most costly robes belonging
to the deceased ; and laid out io the vesti
bule,* ’on a couch strewed with flowers,
with the feet towards the outer door, which
was shaded with branches of cypress.
From that strange mixture of celestial at
tributes and earthly propensities in which
the heathen mythology clothed its deities,
it was a received opinion, that Charon
would not convey the departed spirit across
the Styx without payment of au ancient
toll to which he. had become entitled by
long established usage: a small coin was, in
consequence, placed in the mouth of the
deceased, to satisfy the demand of the stern
(ferryman.
The funeral took place by torch light.
The corpse was carried with the feet fore
most, on an open bier covered with the
richest cloth, and borne by the nearest rel
atives and most distinguished friends. The
procession was regulated by a director of
the ceremonies, attended by lictors dressed
In black and bearing their faces inverted;
and, if the deceased had been a military
man, tbe insignia of his rank were display
ed: and the corps to which he had belong
ed marched in the train with their arms re
versed. The body was preceded by the
image of the deceased, together with those
of his ancestors; then went musicians with
wind instruments of a large size and deeper
tone than those used on less solemn occa
sions, and mourning women who were hired
to sing his praises; before whom were dan
cers and buffoons, one of whom represent
ed the character of the dead man, and en
deavoured to imitate his manner when
alive. The family of the deceased follow
ed the bier in deep mourning; the sons
with their heads covered, the daughters un
veiled and with their hair dishevelled, ma
gistrates without their badges, and patri
cians without their ornaments: his freed
men with the cap of liberty on their heads,
closed the procession.
* “ The Vestibule.” This roust not be under
stood in the modern acceptation of the term. It
was, in fact, an open space, withinthe enclosure
of the outer wall, but before the house itself.
“ Locus vacuus ante Januam domus , per quern a
ftia ad Mdts ilur ” Cell. xvi. c. 5. See chap.
ir. p 34,
the missionary.
The obsequies of persons of rank were
distinguished by a funeral oration in their
honour, which was pronoimced over the
body by some near friend. This ceremony
took place in the forum, and was, during
the republick, a mark of consideration con
ferred only on distinguished personages,
and by order of the senate ; but, under the
emperours, it became general, as a tribute
of private respect and affection, and was
bestowed on women as well as men.
While the practice of sepulture prevail
ed, the body was either interred without
a coffin, or deposited in a sarcophagus, the
torm ot which was that of a deep chest.
On the conclusion of the ceremony, the
sepulchre was strewed with flowers, and
the mourners took a last farewell of the
honoured remains. The attendants were
then sprinkled with water by a priest, to
purify them from the pollution which the
ancients supposed to be communicated by
any contact with a corpse, and all were dis
missed.
When the custom of burning the body
was introduced, a funeral pyre of wood and
other combustible materials, was raised in
the semblance of an altar, on which tbe
bier was placed, with tbe corpse oufstrelch
upoo it, and the eyes opened. The pro
cession then moved slowly round to the
sound of solemn musick, while the mourn
ing matrons who attended—
“ With baleful cypress and blue fillets crown’d,
With eyes dejected, and with hair unbound,”
chanted a requiem to the deceased; and
the nearest relative, advancing from the
train with a lighted torch, and averting his
lace from the body, set fire to the awfuL
pile. Perfumes and spices were
thrown into the bfaze by the surrounding
triends, and when the tire wa* extinguished,
the embers were quenched with wine.
The ashes were then collected, and inclos
ed in an urn of costly workmanship, which
was afterwards deposited in the mausoleum
of the family. Wnen the solemnities were
in houour of a man of high rank, they were
accompanied with much military pomp:
and if a soldier, his arms, and the spoils he
had taken from the enemy, were added to
the funeral fire.
It was a received opinion among the an
cients, that tbe manes of the deceased wen
propitiated by blood: wherefore it was al
ways their custom to slaughter, on the tomb
of the'deceased, those animals to which be
was, while living, most attached; and in
the more remote, and barbarous ages, men
were the victims of this horrid superstition:
“ Arms, trappings, horses; by tbe hearse were led
In long array—the achievements of the dead.
Then pinion’d, with their hands behind, appear
The unhappy captives, inarching in the rear,
Appointed offeiings in the victor’s name,
To sprinkle with their blood, the funeral flame.”
Dryden's Virgil , Ain. b. xi.
Nor were these human sacrifices always
confined to captives taken in war; domes
tic slaves were sometimes immolated to
their masters, and there are instances on
record of friends having thus devoted
themselves from motives bf affection. In
process of time this savage rite gave way
to one scarcely less revolting, and in lieu
of it they adopted that of the gladiatorial
combats, which continued, until their final
abolition, to form part of the last solemni
ties.*
The period of mourning, on the part of
men, or of distant relatives, was short.
Widows were bound to moutn for their
basbands during an entire year. But the
edict which ardained this outward demon
stration of respect lo the memory of their
deceased lords, was promulgated when the
year consisted of only teD lunar months,
and the widows—doubtless nourishing in
their bosoms “ that grief which passeth
show”—were ever satisfied to construe the
law according to its strictest acceptation.
The mourning therefore, lasted, in fact,
only oine calendar months, during which
time they laid aside every kind of ornament,
and dressed, during the time of the repub
lic, in black, but aflerwards in white.
Neither sepulchre, nor the more com
mon obsequies, were allowed within the
walls of tbe city, except to the vestal vir
gins, and to some families of high distinc
tion whose ancestors, had acquired that
privilege as a public testimony of their
services to the state. —This prohibition
was not alone dictated by precaution for
tbe health of the inhabitants, or for the
safety of the town, which might have been
endangered, either by putrid exhalations
from interred bodies, oi by the flames of
funeral fires; but, also, by an idea, very
generally entertained by the nations of an
tiquity, that the place in which a corpse
was deposited, was defiled.
The tombs of military men, and of per
sons of rank, were usually raised in the
field of Mars, and those of individuals of
more private station, in tbe gardens of
their villas, or frequently, by the side of the
road, that thus their remains might attract
the observation, and th6ir spirit receive
the valediction, of the passing traveller.
Many of ihese ancient sepulchres still ex
ist, engraven with various monumental in
scriptions recording the virtues of the de
ceased, and the respect of surviving
friends; those of the splendid mausoleums
of thd great, generally display a pompous
detail of the titles and tbe qualities by
which they were distinguished, and are
ne .. ... Go veJnto all the world, and preach the Gpcpelto every creature.— Jesus Christ
01.11 It.K-poi.lroa. , D J h.b.t, .l..ch le.d lo politic,! prett-nty, ReKpan v d Slorelit, ... i.dbpan.bl. ippo,—ITMAgM.
MOUNT ZION. (HANCOCK COUNTY, GEORGIA,) MONDAY, JULY 28, 1823.
often but faithless memorials of their real
character; while the more simple effusions
of affection on the lowly tombs of tbe hum
ble, seldom contain more than a memento
to the reader of his own moitality, and to
the dead, tbe artless wish—“may the earth
lie light on thee !”
“ Shades of our sires ! O sacred be your rest,
And lightly lie the turf upon your breast!
Flowers round your urns breathe sweets beyond
compare,
And'spring eternal shed its influence there !
Gifford's Juvenal , sat. vii.
* See Pliny’s letters, b. iv. op. 2, and b. vi.
op. 34.
AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIE
TY.
From, the National Intelligencer.
The Board of Managers of the Ameri*
can Colonization Society, urged by the
most powerful motives of religion and hu
manity, appeal to a generous pnblick io
behalf of their great design.
Six years have elapsed since the institu
tion ot their Society; and, though want of
tunds has prevented very vigorous aod ex
tensive exertions, though sad occurrences
have obstructed its operations, it has ad
vanced ; gathered strength in its progress;
been instructed by misfortune; and, aided
by Heaven, has demonstrated the praqtica
bieness of its plans, and confirmed the hope,
early entertained, that its efforts, if well
sustained, would be succeeded by splendid
and sublime results.
Whether these efforts shall be thii9 sus
tained, it remains with this enlightened
community to decide.
The territory purchased io Africa, ap
pears to have been judiciously selected,
and, it is believed, combines a greater num
ber of advantages for a colonial establish
ment, than any other situation on the Coast.
Elevated, and open to the sea, with a har
bour to be easily rendered excellent; fer
tile, and well watered ; intersected by the
Montserado River, extending several hun
dred miles into the interiour; bordered by
tribes comparatively mild in character;
it promises to the settlers every facility for
the attainment of their objects.
The number now at the Colony, includ
ing the sixty who recontly took passage in
the Brig Oswego, probably amounts to one
hundred and ninety. The African tribes
in that neighbourhootjare neither ferocious
nor brave; and the recent contest,in which
their combined forces (amounting at one
time to fifteen hundred) attempted to ex
terminate our Colony, nobly defended by its
thirty men, proves any thing rather than
the difficulty of maintaining astandagainst
their power.
It proves, indeed, that the natives of
Africa, like most uncivilized men, are
treacherous; that, incited by lh slave
traders and the hope of plunder, tley will
not hesitate to murder the defenceless, and
that a colony, if it survives at all, uust live
not by their favour, but by its own strength.
It proves that our settlement, corrmenced
at the expense of so much time, and money,
and suffering, may perish—but only through
neglect. And shall this Colony be aban
doned ?
The Board believe it impossible that
their earliest friends, who have watched
all the movements of their Society with
the deepest concern; implored for it the
favour of God; rejoiced to see it living,
amid misfortunes, and acqniring confidence
in its inarch; will refuse their aid at this
crisis, when tbe question is, shall all past
exertion be lost, through present inactivity,
or shall an immediate and powerful effort
render permanent the foundations of a
work, which, completed, shall prove an
honour to our country, an incalculable ad
vantage to Africa, a magnificent contribu
tiun to tbe light, freedom, aod happiness of
the world ?
That the resources and strength of the
Colony should be immediately augmented,
appears to the Board indispensable; and
most earnestly do they solicit their country
men to furnish them with the means of
performing it. The Colonists, increased to
double their present number, supplied with
implements of husbandry, and (for a few
months) with the means of subsistence, will
it is believed, never afterwards require pe
cuniary aid: but, perfectly secure from
hostile violence, tnay engage, with a moral
certainsy of success, in the peaceful and
profitable employments of life. The im
mediate object of the Board, then, is (ogive
stability to their establishment in Africa,
and it is in behalf of that establishment that
they make (heir appeal.
It is their determination, should the
charities of the publick equal their expect
ations, to send several vessels to the Afri
can coast in the ensuing Fall, and to adopt
and execute, without delay, such other
measures as may contribute to tbe strength
and prosperity of the Colony.
Wbat mind, susceptible of benevolent
feeling, or even of common sympathy, can
reflect, without pain, upon the dangers,
privations, aod warfare, endured for many
months past by the little band at Cape
Montserado? Wisely separated from the
civilized world; surrounded by barbarous
foes; suffering the untried influence of a
tropical dimate; destitute of the comforts,
|of the necessaries of life; in the daily ex
pectation of death; no defence but their
courage, no protection but God, they have
stood with unbroken energy, and deserve
for their conduct high commendation and a
cherished regard.
The Board have not heard, with insensi
bility, ot the trials of these men, nor wanted
the disposition to relieve them. They
have not possessed the means. But,
though retarded in their efforts by the des
titution of funds, they have recently rejoic
ed in the departure of the brig Oswego,
well supplied with arms, ammunition, and
provisions, and having on board a re-enforce
ment of moae than sixty colonists.
The Board are happ y to state, that, since
the foregoing part ot this Address was writ
ten, Communications have beeo received
from Africa, of a highly interesting and en
couraging character. Health and harmo
ny now prevail in the Colony ; hostilities
with ths Natives have terminated. The
children who were taken captives on the.
11th of November, have been volunterily
restored, and the settlement is greatly im
proved. Ihe condition of the Colony,
upon the coast, though rendered more tol
erable by (he exertions of the Agent nnd
people, assisted by an officer and several
sailors from an English vessel, was, indeed,
distressing; and the noble services of Cap
tain Spence and his generous crew, cannot
be too highly appreciated. This officer,
when informed of the sufferings of the Col
ony, immediately repaired to Sierra Leone;
fitted tor sea the schooner Augusta, belong
ing to the United States, and, to the great
joy of the Colonists, arrived at Montserado
on the 27th of March, where he offered to
tbe Colony every aid in his power. Capt.
Spence, though the cruize of the Cyane had
been already protracted, in an unhealthy
■climate, resolved, without hesitation, to re
main so long on the coast as should be ne
cessary to prepare the Colony for the ap
proaching rains, and to strengthen it against
any future attacks. He completed a suitable
house for the Agent, and erected a tower
of strong mason work, which, it is believed
will prove a safe defence against the bar
barians. Having nearly accomplished his
design, the benevolent and efficient exer
tions of this officer were interrupted by tbe
sickness of his crew, increased, no doubt,
by their exertions under the burning sun of
that climate; and he was compelled to
leave the. Colony on the 21st of April.
Several extracts from the letters of (he
Agent of tbe Society will be found in the
Appendix. “It is too obvious,” he re
marks, in one of them, “ to require repeti
tion, that, what your Colony now wants, is
a strong re-enforcement of orderly and effi
cient emigrants.”
Having exhausted their resources, the
Board can look for the power of future ex
ertion only to (he liberality of a greati hu
mane and Christian nation. They appeal
to the several auxiliary institutions, and to
all their friends, with confidence ; for they
have experienced, even in times of deep
discouragement, their vigorous exertion.
They appeal to their countiymen in gener
al with high hopes, because the possibility
of effecting their design is no lunger pro
blematical, while its benevolence and its
greatness admit of no question. The ob
stacles deemed insurmountable have been
overcome—the things thought impossible
have been accomplished. Standing on an
eminence which, it was said, rhey could not
reach, the Board see before them . an ex
tensive pr'iepect, fair as the morning spread
upon the mountains—the land of promise
to degraded thousands—the rich inheritance
which God has given to tribes who have
drunk deep of the waters of affliction, la
boured nd wept in a land of strangers.
Shall they not maintain their station, or
rather shall they not advance and possess
the land ?
In conclusion, may not the Board be per
mitted to ask—How shall this great nation,
so favoured, free, and happy, which God
has delivered by his own right arm, and
exalted as a light and example to the world,
exhibit, in an equal manner, the strength
of its gratitude, the consistency of its prin
ciples, the purity of its justice, or the pow
er of its benevolence, as by engaging at
once, and with energy, in an enterprize
which, while it relieves our country from
an immense evil, shall extend the empire
of liberty and (ruth, terminate the worst of
(rafficki, rescue from present and future
ruin a miserable race, and confer upoo
them, their descendants, and upon the un
enlightened population of a mighty conti
nent, kaowledge, civilization, dignity, all
tbe blessings and hopes of a Christian peo
ple ?
J. MASON,
W. JONES,
F. S. KEY,
E. B. CALDWELL,
JAMES LAURIE,
Acting Committee.
N. B. It is hoped that such auxiliary in
stitutions as may have funds in their pos
session, and such benevolent individuals as
may wish to aid the cause of Colonization,
will transmit, their donations immediately
to Richard Smith, Esq. Washington, Treas
urer of the Society.
Tbe following is a copy of Capt. Speck’s
Price i $3,50 pr. MB. or,)
C $3,00 in advance. \
letter, addressed to Elias B. Caldwell,
Esq. Secretary of the American Coloniza
tion Sociejy, immediately after the arrival
of the Cyane in New York.
U. S. Ship Cyane , Quarantine-Ground ,
New York, June 26, 1323.
Sir : I have the honour to forward you,
for the information of the Society for Colo
niziog the Free Men of Colour of the Uni
ted States on the Coast of Africa, sundry
letters received while at Mesurado, from
the resident agent; which, together with
information more immediately from
will render any thing further from me su
perfluous.
1 shall, in conclusion, merely remark,
that 1 arrived at the settlement at a very
important juncture—and, by timely and
provident supplies—by the erection of a
fortress, which ought to remain for ages,
saved the Colony, I trust, from the dSoger
of entire extirpation.
I transmit you a most correct survev of
the Gape, and the contiguous country,
which, I request, you will do me the favour
to present to the president and Managers.
It defines the purchase made by Lieut.
Siockton; a purchase which entitles him to
the warmest commendation, not only of
the Society, but of every individual desir
ous of freeing our couDtry from a popula
tion that had better, on many accounts, be
in the land of their forefathers : where, it
is to be hoped, that posterity will see them
enjoying the fruits of your-labour and lib
erality.
Very respectfully, dear sir, your obedi
ent servant, ,
ROBERT TRAILL SPENCE.
Elias B. Caldwell, Esq. Secretary , *s‘C.
From the Israel's Advocate.
REV. MR. FREY’S REPORT.
[The following account of Mr. Frey’s
Tour through the Southern States, is inter
esting. The success be met with is a re
newed source, of gratitude to God, who
turnetb the hearts of men. It proves, that
the objects of “ the American Society for
meliorating the condition of the Jews,”
need only to be stated and explained, in or
der to be approved; and that the Parent
Society, and her numerous auxiliaries,
ought to persevere.
This Report was presented to the Board,
at their meeting, June 24th, 1823, and they
were so much gratified with the mariner ia
which their commission was executed, that
they gave Mr. Frey an unanimous vote 0 f
thanks, for his assiduous aud successful ser
vices and made him a Director of the Soci
ety for life] EJ.Mv.
!o presenting you with a Report of my
late journey through the Southern States
of the Union, it becomes me first of all to
express my most humble and sincere thanks
to the God of Providence itnd of Grace.
His watchful eye aDd protecting band have
been towards my dear family at home,
whilst in my going out and coming in, He
hath not suffered any evil to befal me by
the way. In all my labours and fatigues,
He bath afforded me strength equal to my
day. He gave me, and the object of my
mission, favour in the sight of men, and hath
already succeeded my feeble efforts for be
yond my expectations. O for a grateful
heart to praise the Lord, and live more de
voted to Him, whose service is perfect free
dom and l ull of pleasure.
To give a detailed account of the variety
of circumstances, either of an encouraging
or discourag'ng nature, which have occur
red in this journey, would by far exceed the
limits of a Report. I shall, therefore, only
select those which are most interesting to
this Board.
On the 10th ofDecember last, I left this
city for Pmladelphia. In my way thither,
1 preached at several places, and in each
took up a collection and formed an Auxilia
ry Society. At Philadelphia the object of
my mission excited great attention, and met
with general approbation. Besides collec
tions taken up in eighteen different church
es, a large and most respectable Auxiliary
Society was formed, which 1 hope will
greatly aid this institution. Several of my
Jewish brethren attended on the preaching
of the word, and with a few I had religious
and interesting conversation. At Baltimore
I net with great hospitality and friendship;
in that city the cause of the Jewa has its
warm advocates and liberal supporters.
Large collections were made, and a most
respectable and active Auxiliary Society
formed. One of my brethren addressed a
letter to me in the Morning Chronicle,
which I answered in the same paper, I
hope, to his satisfaction and profit. From
this place it was my intention to proceed
immediately to Washington, bnl as the Jtv>
Bill was before the Legislature at Annapo
lis, a number of most respectable gentlemen
thought my preaching there at this time,
would be particularly seasonable. Ac
cordingly I went; preached twice, took up
a collection, and formed an Auxiliary Soci
ety. A few days after my departure, I
heard with much pleasure that the Bill had
passed both houses with little opposition.
At Washington | bad the privilege of
preaching and explaining the object of my
mission, in Congress Hall, before most of
the members of that honourable body,
many of whom also heard me at other plac
es of worship, and contributed liberally, and