470 Spring Grove Cemetery. [October, 



SPRING GROYE CEMETERY. 



Ox the opening of the pres-^nt number of our Journal we present 

 our readers with an entrance view of our beautiful Spring Grove 

 Cemetery. It will be remembered that the Association establishing 

 this Cemetery has been in existence only about thirteen years, or 

 since 1844. What a " city of the dead" is now here ! 



This Cemetery was established on the same principles of Mount 

 Auburn, near Boston, and Greenwood, near New York, with the be- 

 nevolent and most praiseworthy design of furnishing a quiet and per- 

 manent resting place for the dead, and one which would not be sub- 

 ject to be disturbed by the advancing improvements and enterprise 

 of our great city; while at the same time to the living, it should, 

 by its tasteful, classical and beautiful arrangement, become a place 

 fraught with scenes for contemplative recreation. It is but simple 

 justice to say, that its Trustees have managed its affairs with great 

 ability, which may be seen by their annual report to the lot-holders 

 just published. 



The recent improvements, in laying out, and decorating the 

 grounds, in conformity with the rules established by the most emi- 

 nent authors who have written on rural cemeteries, reflects great 

 credit on the Landscape Gardener, and all connected therewith. — 

 We here have the pleasure of having presented to the eye of taste, 

 on a large scale, what we formerly were only permitted to read in 

 books. Although this cemetery can not boast of as many beautiful 

 and classical monuments, as other similar, and older institutions, yet 

 it is not too much to assert, that there is not in these United States, one 

 that surpasses it in the neat and tasteful manner in which it is kept. 

 And here we would beg leave to state, that, while greater taste is dis- 

 played of late by the proprietors in respect to laying out their fam- 

 ily burying lots than formerly, there yet remains much to be learn- 

 ed, and much to be done in this regard, to be in strict conformity 

 vith good taste. The unsightly hedge, and stiff iron fence which 

 require great expense and constant attention, and which, when ne- 

 glected but a short time, go into dilapidation, we are pleased to see 

 are fast giving place to simple corner stones, with the names of 

 owners, and number of lot, and section engraved thereon. And in- 

 stead of the numerous head and foot stones that greatly mar the 



