Page:Hans Christian Ørsted - The Soul in Nature - Horner - 1852.djvu/25

xxii paid to their departed friend. On Sunday, the 16th of March, about a hundred scholars went in procession to the house of the deceased, where they laid a silver wreath upon his coffin, and after singing some verses which were composed for the occasion, they bore it, surrounded by torch-bearers, to the University, where it was laid in state in a hall hung with black. Here it remained till Tuesday, the 18th, when it was removed to the principal church (the Frue Kirche). The coffin was borne by the students of the Polytechnic School, and was attended by a procession headed by General Major von Scholler, who represented the King of Denmark. Then followed his Royal Highness the Hereditary Prince of Denmark, the Chamberlain, Baron Juel Rysensteen, representing her Majesty the Queen Dowager, Marie Sophie Frederica; the relations of the deceased, the Rector Magnificus of the Theological Faculty and the Clergy of Copenhagen, the Professors of the University, members of scientific societies, the Ministers, Foreign Ambassadors, a deputation from the Industrial Association, &c. A great number of all classes followed, so that the whole procession amounted to about 2000. A funeral march was performed as they passed along, and the bells continued to toll till they reached the principal entrance of the church, before which was arranged a guard of honour belonging to the civic infantry. The interior of the church was hung with black, and illuminated by candles. The coffin was placed on a catafalque in the centre, and the mournful ceremony was concluded by some more verses from the students, and an oration from Dean Tryde. The nearest relations of the deceased accompanied the coffin to the churchyard, where Pastor P. Hasle, the son-in-law of the deceased, spoke the last farewell words over the graye.—(From the Biographical Sketch by P. L. Möller, §c.)