An invitation of this sort should never he refused, though,
of course, you do not send a reply, for no other reason that
I know of, excepting the impossibility of framing any formula
of acceptance.

You render yourself at the house an hour or two after the
time specified. If you were to sit long in the mournful
circle you might be rendered unfit for doing any thing for a
week.

Your dress is black, and during the time of waiting you
compose your visage into a "tristful 'haviour," and lean in
silent solemnity upon the top of your cane, thinking about--
last night's party. This is a necessary hypocrisy, and
assists marvellously the sadness of the ceremony. You walk in
a procession with the others, your carriage following in the
street. The first places are yielded to the relations of the
deceased.

The coffins of persons of distinction are carried in the
hands of bearers, who walk with their hats off.

You walk with another, in seemly order, and converse in a low
tone; first upon the property of the defunct, and next upon
the politics of the day. You walk with the others into the
church, where service is said over the body. It is optional
to go to the grave or not. When you go away, you enter your
carriage and return to your business or your pleasures.