77 



appeal, the thrilling hymn of praise, and those swelling notes of 

 music, which pealed sublime, through every vale and tufted hill of 

 thnt sacred garden of tiie dead. Such wts the solemn stillness, so 

 motionless the surface ot the dark, deep pool, that it mirrored the 

 steep, receding acclivities, and the innumerable spectators who 

 thronged the encircling seats. 



At twelve o'clock a procession was formed, beyond the northern 

 hill, of the officers of the Society, as an escort lo the orator and 

 officiating clergy, and, preceded by llie band, entered the rostrum 

 through the eastern vale. The effect was grand and imposing, callmg 

 up vivid recollections of those solemn funeral rites, which were 

 performed by the patriarchs of old, in the field of Machphela ; or the 

 assembled Athenians in the venerable groves of the Ceramicus. 



At the Annual Meeting of the Horticultural Society, September 30, 

 1831, the Committee on laying out the grounds and forming the 

 plan of the Experimental Garden and Cemetry at Mount Auburn, 

 REPORT, 



That measures were promptly taken for accomplishing those objects, 

 and although considerable progress has been made, it will require 

 further time to complete the work. 



Alexander VVadsworth, Esq., a skilful civil engineer, was employed 

 to make an accurate topographical survey, and to locate the numerous 

 avenues, which it was found necessary to establish through the exten- 

 sive and beautifully diversified grounds of the Cemetery and Garden, 

 both for convenience and embellishment. The map has been so far 

 perfected, that it is submitted for inspection, and to exhibit the general 

 outlines of the projected improvements ; but considerable labor is yet 

 required in clearing out the principal carriage avenues and foot paths, 

 before the sites of the public and private cen)etery squares can be 

 definitely established, and designated on the plan. 



Models and drawings of the Egyptian Gateways, and of a Gothic 

 tower, and a Grecian tower, one of which is proposed to be erected 

 on the highest hill, have been made, and are offered for examination. 



It has been ascertained, that the most lofty eminence is one hundred 

 and twenty-five feet above Charles River, which gracefully sweeps 

 round its gently sloping base ; and, when crowned by the proposed 

 tower, will become a most interesting place of resort, as commanding 

 an extensive panoramic view of that richly variegated region of mag- 

 nificent scenery, embraced within the far distant heights which 

 encircle the metropolis, and the waves of the ocean ; while it will 

 present a prominent and imposing feature in the landscape, of which it 

 becomes the centre. 



At some future period, when the munificence of the citizens shall 

 be commensurate with their debt of patriotic gratitude, this structure 

 may perhaps give place for a stupendous monument to the most illus- 

 trious benefactor of his country; — there will be reared the cenotaph 

 of Washington, in massive blocks of granite or ever-during marble. 

 Should the funds hereafter justify it, a Doric Temple, to be used as a 

 chapel, for the performance of funeral rites, and lodges for the gar- 

 dener and superintendent of the Cemetery, are contemplated, and 

 designs are in progress for each. 



