_Shape of Coffins_ (Vol. viii., p. 104.).--As bearing somewhat upon MR.
ELLACOMBE'S Query, allow me to remark that when travelling a few years
since in the United States, having about an hour's delay in the city
of Rochester, N. Y., I entered one of the churches during a funeral
service. When the ceremony (at which a considerable number of persons
attended) was concluded, the congregation left their seats and walked in
very orderly procession towards the reading-desk, in front of which was
placed the coffin, without any pall or covering. They then slowly walked
round it, in order, as I afterwards found, to take their last look at the
departed. This they were enabled to do without the removal of the lid,
by raising the upper or head portion of it, which was hinged a square
of glass beneath allowing the face to be seen. This strange custom,
which, for my own part, I think would be "more honoured by the breach
than the observance," as the recollection of the living face to me is
far preferable to that of death, I do not remember to have seen noticed
by any of our many travellers in America, though I afterwards found it
to be general. The coffins, which are somewhat differently shaped to
ours, sloping towards the feet, are rarely covered with cloth; but are
generally made of some hard wood such as walnut, highly polished.