178 



'I'lIK PAltKS A^'L) GAllDENS OF TARIS. [Chap. XIL 



owners of the lots, the most prominent of them being members of 

 the Cincinnati Horticultural Society, in which Society originated 

 the idea of establishing a rural cemetery in this spot. The greater 

 part of the grounds, when purchased, was densely covered with 

 native forest-trees. In the lower or southern portion, the Elm, 

 Sycamore and Ash predominate ; the central part is chiefly 

 covered with Tulip-trees, Sugar-maples, Sassafras, etc., while the 

 western division is almost exclusively occupied by Beech, Sour- 

 gum, Ked-bud, and Dog- wood. The northern part is adorned with 

 some of the finest fjroves of various kinds of Oak, of Nature's own 



P 



A Contrast: the Cemetery of Perc la Chaise. {After Hachette.) 



planting centuries ago. The efiect produced by the brilliant 

 colours which most of these trees and shrubs assume in autumn, 

 is magnificent. The introduction of varieties of evergreens, whose 

 perennial verdure is particularly appropriate for ornamenting 

 places of sepulture, has contributed much to mitigate the bleak 

 desolation of winter and to render the prospect agreeable at all 

 times. The area of Spring Grove is considerably over 300 acres 

 of undulating surface, mostly of sandy subsoil, and abundantly 

 supplied with water and forest -scenery. 



Although we do not allow the remains of our poor to be treated 

 with tlie same disrespect as the French, there is no place where 



