5 
herbaceous matters that happen to be most readily obtainable. 
A layer of ferns or mosses for a bed, a bundle of sweet herbs 
for a pillow, and as much as it would still contain, after the 
body had been gently laid in it, of any aromatic or flower- 
ing plant for a coverlet; such a covering, in short, as while 
it protected the body from immediate pressure of the earth as 
effectually as the stoutest oak, would yet not prevent its dissolution. 
I can conceive no better form of soffn: Let us emulate, too the 
healthy sentiment of those elder Jews, who considered it an 
indignity and an injury to be refused prompt burial, and so made 
it an offence to the living, and bury, while it is still grateful to 
every sense, and while, if we feel it an effort, and a sacrifice to 
part with it, we may alsofeel that we are making that effort, and 
submitting to that sacrifice, in the cause of the dead.’’ Soon 
_ after this, a society was formed cailed the ‘“‘Church of England 
Burial Reform Association,” with the Archbishops of Canterbury 
and York as Presidents. 'The objects of the Society were to lessen 
the great expense usually attendant on funerals, the disuse of 
crape, early interment, and the use of perishable coffins. I am 
sorry to say that these objects have not all been carried out, but 
doubtless a great advance has been made. Some of you can 
probably remember the long silk hat bands, the silk scarfs and 
black leather gloves that were formerly lavishly used, and even 
perhaps have worn or seen worn the garments that were subse- 
quently made up. Were ever such things an inducement to 
atttend? I hope not. Happily these unnecessary adornments 
and the use of mourning coaches have almost died out. The last 
two objects, viz., early interments and perishable coffins, are suill 
only in a small degree lessened. I believe that the leaden shell, 
so common a few years ago, is rarely now used. The poor spenda 
most unnecessary sum of money on funerals; rarely is a funeral 
conducted under £5, and when all the clothes are paid for, a much 
larger amount. No funeral, I believe, need cost more than £2, 
whether it be for peer or pauper. I seein the Morning Post for 
Dee. 12th last, that the 9th annual meeting of the above association 
was held in the Chapter-room, St. Paul’s Churchyard—the Bishop 
of Bedford in the chair. The Chairman spoke of the undue 
extravagance in the matter of floral decorations, and adverting to 
the desirability of introducing wheeled biers into rural parishes, 
he said that he had presented one to his own country parish, and 
‘had recently set the example of simplicity by having it used in the 
case of his own sadloss. The following resolution was passed :— 
That it is desirable to recognise that there is no common law right 
to a perpetual ownership of the soil for the buried, and that 
incumbents can decline to sanction the construction of bricked 
