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New Zealand Tablet, Volume X, Issue 475, 19 May 1882, Page 9

The famous '• wake scene " in the " Shaughraun " has been often held up to condemnation by Irishmen, as a travesty on their countrymen, while by others it has been regarded as " very Irish." As every Irishman knows, it is a gross caricature, but we wish we could say as touch of the scenes attending the wake, or funeral, of the late Presi- ' •dent. Unfortunately, the fact seems to be too well established that the funeral of the martyred President was turned into a shameful •orgy by the men who were supposed to be paying their last respects to his remains. The bills of the funeral excuriion are in, and contam such items as 1,700d015. for champagne, brandy, whiskey, cigars, and lunch. The single item of '• cocktails " foots up three hundred dollars. It will be remembered that something of the same sort of a scandal was spoken of in connection with the burial of Sumner. Pcrh >ps we ought not to expect decent conduct of Con- I gressmen and o lice-holders, even at a funeral ; but the hyenas rui>ht at least have the grace to pay their own whiskey bills.— Pilot.