The Virginia Gazette

LONDON, Jan. 7.

We learn from Brussels, that there never was any thing more magnificent than the Funeral Ceremonies of the late Archduchess. On the 18th, 19th, and 20th of December, N. S. the Body was exposed on a Bed of State, dress'd in a rich Robe of Silver Brocade with Flowers of Gold; on each Side of the Head was a Velvet Cushion, upon one of which was placed the Archducal Crown, and upon the other, the Order of the Crusade; at the Feet there was a Silver Box which held the Heart, and a Trunk on the other which contain'd the Entrails. On the 20th, at 10 in the Evening, the Funeral Procession began, and when they were come to the Church of St. Gudula, eight Chamberlains of the Golden Key took the Coffin on their Shoulders, another Chamberlain carried the Silver Box, and the Trunk was carried by Two, all the Nobility following in Mourning. The Coffin was opened to shew the Dean that it was really the Body of the Archduchess; after which all the four Locks were closed, and the Keys dispos'd of to the Dean, the first President, the Chancellor of the Dutchy of Brabant, and to Count Caunitz, who is provisionally Governor of those Provinces; after which the Body was deposited in a new Tomb, rais'd on Purpose to receive it.

The Inscription on her Serene Highness's Coffin ran in the following Words:

Hic jacet reconditum,
Autriacæ Gentis, & Generis humani Decus,
Regia Hungaria & Bohemiæ Princeps,
Archidux, Austrix:
MARIA ANNA,
D. Caroli VI. Romanorum Imperatoris Filia,
MARIAE THERESIA
Hungariæ & Bohemæ Reginæ Soror,
CAROLO ALEXANDRO
Lotharingiæ & Barri Ducis Nupta,
Belgii Austriaci Gubernatrix,
Quæ nata Vindicbonæ die XIV Septembris A. M. D. CC.
XVIII.
Vixit ad Etatem parum, ad Gloriam satis:
Et Defuncta Bruxellis die XVI Decembris A. M. D. CC.
XLIV.

That is: Here lies interr'd, of the Austrian Family, and of the Human Race the Ornament; of the Hungarian and Bohemian Kingdoms, the Princess; and of Austria the Archduchess Mary Anne; Daughter of the late Emperor of the Romans, Charles VI. Sister of Maria Theresa, Queen of Hungary and Bohemia; the Spouse of Charles Alexander, Duke of Lorraine and Bar; of the Austrian Netherlands the Governess; Who was born at Vienna the 14th of September, 1718; and, after a Life short in itself, but full of Glory, deceas'd at Brussels December 16th, 1744.