338 On the Combuption of dead Bodies 
had been prohibited by law, and reprobated by thé 
teft of the country. 
II. With regard to the fecond objection, it is pro- 
per to ftate, that, from the remarkable aptitude 
which the various articles of the apparatus poffefs, 
for the different parts of the procefs of combuftion, 
we are induced; or, in a manner, conftrained to 
draw a fimilar conclufioh. And indeed, ona tho- 
rough confideration, it will appear evident, that 
the experience of ages muft have been neceflary 
to produce all the different articles of the ap- 
paratus, in futh perfection, and fo particularly 
adapted to fufpend every part and fiagment of 
the body, till confumed, and teduced almoft entirely 
to afhes; for no inftance can be pointed out as 
fuperfluous, except the appearance of ornament on 
feveral of them may be fo efteemed. It has beén 
intimated that oftentation was here needlefs ; but 
furely it was not more fo in thofe fuperftitious times, 
at this awful and frequent ceremony, than the 
fhew generally exhibited in the prefent age upon 
coffins, at funerals, and on monuments. How- 
ever excufable oftentation may be in fuch circum- 
flances, it is furely highly improper, as well as 
unneceflary, in every article of hufbandry; and 
if fuch fcrolls were to be added to the chains 
and hooks of carts, ploughs, &c. as were found 
on thofe connected with the reft of the apparatus, 
they . 
