xxxviii 
A FEW MEMOIRS OF 
minister under that discipline to perform funeral services 
at the grave of persons who may have committed suicide, 
the proceedings on the present occasion were somewhat 
novel. Eev. Mr. Shackleford, the clergyman officiating 
at the marriage of Herbert with his last wife, was pres¬ 
ent; and, after the company had taken a last look at the 
corpse, the reverend gentleman alluded to the above cir¬ 
cumstances, and regretted that his obligations of duty 
forbade him to appear in any other capacity than as a 
friend of the deceased, whose faults (he felt sure) were all 
on the surface of his character , but whose virtues were more 
numerous than could be generally known. All true friends 
of the dear, departed Herbert, would therefore follow the 
remains slowly and silently to the grave, and see them 
slowly and silently interred, with only those expressions 
which might be suggested or occur from a mute sorrow. 
Expressing a hope that the God above, who alone can 
judge of sincerity of heart, would have mercy upon the 
soul of the deceased, and of all those now present, the 
reverend gentleman concluded his remarks, and a silent 
sorrow pervaded the entire assemblage. 
The procession passed through the gate by which the 
grounds of Mount Pleasant Cemetery, adjoining “ the Ce¬ 
dars,” are entered. It was at this spot where Herbert 
and his wife shared that kiss which became a parting kiss, 
and where, according to the letter left for Mr. P Anson, 
Herbert expected to die. Some green twigs from the 
neighboring trees were sadly but hopefully thrown upon 
the coffin, and the assemblage departed. 
“ Youth flies, life decays, even hope is o’ercast; 
No more with love’s former devotion we sue: 
He spreads his young wing, he retires with the blast; 
The shroud of affection is love’s last adieu I ” 
