2-799-146 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The late Dr. Dalton, lying in state, 1844. The coffin of British chemist and physicist John Dalton, at the Town Hall, Manchester. 'Over the platform and coffin was a handsome square canopy, covered with black drapery, appropriately festooned. The floor of the platform, steps, and enclosed space, was covered with black cloth, and black fluted draperies covered the whole wall. The room was darkened for the occasion; all the windows were closed, so as to exclude the daylight; they were covered with black draperies; and the apartment was lighted by the two gas candelabra, and also by eight wax candles of exceedingly large size, in tall candlesticks, covered with crape,and placed on square pedestals covered with black cloth'. From "Illustrated London News", 1844, Vol V.