There was an early custom of firing volleys over the graves of persons of rank and distinction, even though the one interred might be a woman.

There were many other sources of expense. The " underbearers " who carried the cofiin, walking with their heads and shoulders covered Avith the pallcloth, wore plain gloves; but the pall-bearers, the minister and many of the friends were presented with costly gloves of silk or leather. So many gloves were received by persons of wide social connections that a considerable revenue was derived from the sale of them. If the means of the family permitted, fine linen scarfs, caught on one shoulder, with a bow of white or black ribbon and fastened under the opposite arm with ribbon, were furnished to the clergy, physicians and pall-bearers. Mourning rings were large and elaborate. "The most common figure upon them," says Mrs. Van Cortlandt, " was a willow tree and urn done in hair. I have seen long pins of the same kind worn like the present scarf-pins, and heavy rings of white enamel, with the name of the person in whose memory they were given inserted in gold letters."' The expenseof making such presents can readily be imagined.

472c

If the distance to the burying-ground was short, the deceased was carried on a bier. The slaves followed, with spotless napkins pinned over the left arm a little above the elbow.

This ostentation prevailed until the Revolutionary War compelled economy to be observed. A specimen account is that rendered, in 1760, by William Cook to the estate of Mrs. James Alexander, widow of the prominent lawyer and mother of Lord Stirling. It