82 



on Beech Avenue, whicli are excellent models of this mode of con- 

 struction. 



If the lot is on the side of a hill, which slopes to the rear, it should 

 be made level by the earth, thrown out of the excavation for the tomb, 

 and the exterior side covered with sods, on a slope of at least forty- 

 five degrees. If the hill slopes towards the aveni-e, the mode oi' con- 

 struction must be reversed. In the former, the entrance is to be at 

 top in front, as in the first described tomb, and in the latter at top, in 

 the rear. This mode of construction, on hill sides, effectually conceals 

 the masonry, and the appearance of perpendicular openings is avoided, 

 which are offensive to good taste, unless the construction of the whole 

 work is of a highly ornamental and expensive character. If the monu- 

 ment and tomb are combined in a structure covering a large portion 

 of the lot, such as a temple, portico, mausoleum, or massive sar- 

 cophagus, like some of those which embellish the cemetery of Pere Le 

 Chaise, the entrance must necessarily be in one of the facades ; but 

 from the character of such monuments the portals are often the most 

 ornamental portions of the structure. 



When the monuments consist of slabs, they should be placed hori- 

 zonlnlly on the ground, and never be raised in a perpendicular di- 

 rection, as is commonly the case in our chnrch-yards ; for they 

 would not harmonize with the natural and artificial beauties of a rural 

 cemetery, but give a gloomy aspect to the scenery, which is intended 

 to banish the cheerless associations, connected with the burial-places 

 of our cities and country towns. At Mount Auburn, the dead will 

 be ever in the midst of the living, as their place of interment will be 

 the resort of many visitors, who admire the magnificence of natural 

 scenery, combined with all the embellishments of tasteful gardening. 

 It is therefore of the first consequence, that such sacred grounds should 

 be rendered " pleasant, though mournful to the soul." 



MODF. OF LAYING OUT AND EMBELLISHTNG THE LOTS. 



In the attempt to improve the appearance of the lots, by enclosures 

 and cultivation, it should be constantly borne in mind, that they are 

 very small com))artraents in the midst of an extensive grove, and to 

 give tliem identity and beauty, the whole of their areas must be lefl 

 open and unincumbered. They cannot be planted with trees or 

 shrubs, and if surrounded by hedges, they will present, in a very few 

 years, a tangled mass of weeds and bushes. We must recollect that 

 they are to exist for ages ; and our eflxjrt shoidd be, to render their 

 appearance perpetually interesting, with the least possible attention, 

 after being once put in the best condition, for present and future effect. 



Hedges, used as inclosures, will disappoint expectation, and require 

 to be entirely eradicated after a few years, if even for a short time 

 they should have a pleasing effect, when young, healthy, vigorous, 

 and well managed. They are only proper for extensive grounds, farms, 

 or large gardens, embracing some ten or twenty acres, or for long 

 lines of circumvallation, which are to be seen at a distance, in which 

 the imperfections, occasioned by insects and the ravages of time, are 

 lost in the persfioctive, but should never be employed to surround a 

 mere parterre, a buisson of roses, or a bed of hyacinths. To look 

 even beautiful, hedges, of all kinds, require constant attention ; they 

 must be kept clear of weeds, and be pruned and clipped several 



