Edinburgh, 8th January 1881.—Yesterday the closing incident in the story of the ill-fated Franklin Expedition of 1845 was witnessed, when in this city the bones of a gallant member of that Expedition, which have for over thirty years been resting in an unknown grave, were re-interred by relatives grateful for the chance which had placed it within their power thus to perform the last kindly offices to one whom they had loved in life and mourned in death. That a vast concourse of people should have thronged the streets through which the funeral cortége was expected to pass was but natural, as it was well known that every honour which customarily attends the burial of an officer of her Majesty’s service was to be given to the deceased, and the expectation of witnessing a spectacle imposing in character was sufficient to induce many to endeavour to gain a view of the procession in passing. But among the greater number of those who lined the thoroughfares sight-seeing formed no incentive to be present. The general feeling seemed to be one of deep admiration for the memory of the departed; of sympathy at the recollection of the circumstances attending his death; and a sincere desire to testify the interest and appreciation by an intelligent public of an able, devoted, and worthy officer and gentleman, to whom death came while in the discharge of a noble duty. The funeral took place from the house of Mrs. William Scott-Moncrieff, the sister of Lieutenant Irving, where, prior to the hour for starting, a number of relatives and personal friends were assembled. These comprised Rev. John Irving, nephew; W. G. Scott-Moncrieff, advocate, nephew; D. M. Peebles, banker; R. C. Bell, W.S.; and T. S. Omond, St. John’s College, Oxford, nephews by marriage; H. D. Hay, M.D.; Dr. R. B. Malcolm; J. H. W. Holland, C.A.; District Commissary-General A. Clerk; Dr. Andrew Wood; Rev. A. Whyte; Rev. Mr. Cowan of Troon; Messrs. J. Adam; W. E. Malcolm of Burnfoot, in early life a messmate of the deceased; J. Scott-Moncrieff, C.A.; Benjamin Bell, F.R.C.S.; Stuart Neilson, W.S.; William Wood, C.A.; Henry Cadell of Grange; H. J. Eollo, W.S.

A service having been conducted in the house by the Rev. A. Whyte, the coffin, which was of polished oak, and covered with the Union Jack, was carried out by six seamen, and placed on a gun-carriage from Leith Fort, drawn by six horses, and in charge of a sergeant. The procession then moved off in slow time, headed by a strong firing party of Marines from the “Lord Warden” under Captain Sweny and Lieutenant M’Causland, R.M.L.I. Then came the band and pipers of the 71st Regiment and the gun-carriage bearing the remains. These were followed by Captain Lindesay Brine, R.N., and Major-General Irving, R.A., C.B., as chief mourners. Then the relatives and immediate friends. Next followed the seamen of the “Lord Warden,” as mourners, under Captain Kingscote, R.N. The other naval officers marched on each side of the gun-carriage, as pall-bearers, and were—Lieutenants Johnson, Field, Monteith, Reid, and Ede. After these came an officer and twenty men each from the 21st Hussars, the Royal Artillery, and the 71st H. L. I. In the rear followed Major-General Hope, C.B., commanding the forces in Scotland, and the Head-Quarter Staff, comprising Colonel Preston, A.A.G., Captain Salmond, D.A.A.G., and Captain Hope, A.D.C., and then all the officers of the Edinburgh garrison off duty; Colonel Ingilby, R.A.; Colonel Morrison, R.E.; Lieutenant-Colonel Jones, R.A; Lieutenant Blackman, R.A.; Major Locock, R.E.; Lieutenant Conder, R.E.; Captains H. C. Collier, A. P. Loyd, and W. W. Unett, Quartermaster I. Kelly, and Lieutenant and Adjutant B. Jennings, 21st Hussars; Major Allen, Captain F. M. Reid, and H. A. Schank, Lieutenants E. W. Horne, W. F. Anstey, J. Mitchell-Innes, Adjutant, J. S. T. Farquhar, and I. C. Conway-Gordon, 71st Regiment; and Major and Adjutant Hills, and Captain Cranston, Q.E.RF.V.B. There were present Admirals Dunlop and Fellowes; Principal Sir A. Grant, and other representatives of the University, members of the Town Council, Royal Society, and other public bodies. The Royal Geographical Society was represented by Captain Lindesay Brine, R.N.

A great crowd of people had assembled in Great King Street, and every minute its numbers were augmented.

From the lines formed by the Royal Navy and the troops the space to the railings in front of the houses was closely packed with spectators, while from the windows and balconies groups of ladies and children viewed the procession.

A start was made a few minutes before one o’clock, and the long line of marines, seamen, civilians, and officers marched between a double wall of human beings until the cemetery was reached.

The beautiful strains of the Maltese funeral hymn rose in the air, and to its slow and stately time the cortége moved on its progress westwards. The band was relieved at intervals by the melancholy plaint of “The Flowers of the Forest” from the bagpipes. The greatest order prevailed among the crowd, and the company proceeded in its slow march without interruption.

From Heriot Row the route was by Darnaway Street, the north division of Moray Place and Ainslie Place, and Great Stuart Street; and in all these streets every window and balcony was occupied, while the steps leading up to the houses were filled with people from the crowds in the streets who sought such vantage-ground to view the procession. The band were now playing Beethoven’s funeral march, which in turn gave place to Handel’s Dead March in Saul.

At the cemetery gate the firing party halted, opened out, faced inwards, and rested on their arms reversed. The coffin was taken from the gun-carriage, and, attended by the pall-bearers, was carried by six seamen to the grave, the procession passing into the cemetery through the double line of marines. The band followed, and the marines moved up and formed at the grave in readiness to fire the three farewell volleys.

The place of burial was towards the southern extremity of the cemetery, in close proximity to the tombs of Lords Jeffrey, Cockburn, Handyside, and Rutherfurd.

The service at the grave was conducted by the Rev. John Irving, after which the coffin,—which bore the inscription: “John Irving, Lieutenant R.N., born 1815; died 1848-1849”—was lowered into the grave by Captain Lindesay Brine, Major-General Irving, and the pall-bearers, assisted by the six seamen who had carried the coffin from the gate to the grave.   Three volleys were then fired over the remains by the marines, the bugles of the 71st Regiment sounding after each volley. The various parties of the Royal Navy and military were then re-formed and moved off in quick time, and after a while were followed by the civilians, leaving to repose undisturbed those honoured bones so strangely discovered and conveyed so carefully to the brave Arctic voyager’s native city.

17th June 1843.

Mr. John Irving served as midshipman and mate on board H.M.S. “Edinburgh,” under my command, from December 1833 to end of January 1837, during which period his conduct was that of an active, correct, and zealous officer, perfectly understanding his duty. I never had occasion to find fault with him during the whole of that period, and he joined me very strongly recommended by the Honourable Captain Dundas of H.M.S. “Belvidera.”

Jas. R. Dacres,
Rear-Admiral.

These are to certify the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that Mr. John Irving served as mate on board H.M. sloop “Favourite” under my command from the 1st April 1842 to the date hereof, during which time he conducted himself with diligence, attention, and sobriety, and was always obedient; and I further certify that he had charge of a watch during the above period.

Given under my hand on board H.M. sloop “Favourite,” Hamoaze (Devonport Dock), this 20th June 1843.                                        

Thomas R. Sulivan,
Commander.

This is to certify that Lieutenant John Irving has served on board H.M. ship “Volage” under my command from the 30th of August 1843 to the date hereof, during the whole of which period he complied with the general printed instructions; and I further certify that his conduct during the whole time has merited my approbation, and I consider him a steady and good officer.

Given under my hand on board H.M.S. “Volage,” Cove of Cork, 31st December 1844.

Wm. Dickson,
Captain.

H.M.S. “Excellent,”
2d March 1845.

My dear Sir George,—I am very desirous of being appointed to one of the ships now fitting for the Polar Expedition, and shall feel much obliged if you can in any way forward my views.—Yours truly,                                          

John Irving.

Sir George Clerk, Bart.

Board of Trade, 3d March 1845.

My dear Cockburn,—I herewith send you a letter from my friend Lieutenant John Irving, now serving on hoard the “Excellent,” stating his desire to be appointed to one of the ships now fitting for the Polar Expedition.

As he possesses very considerable scientific attainments, I should consider him well qualified for a service of this nature.

If all the appointments are not filled up, I should be very much obliged to you to give him an appointment to one of the Polar Expedition vessels.—I remain, yours truly,                      

G. Clerk.

The Right Honble. Admiral Sir G. Cockburn, G.C.B