OUT-OF-TOWN PLACES 



Among the requisites for a country ceme- 

 tery are to be named, I think, first, a distance 

 not exceeding forty minutes' drive from town ; 

 next, a feasible soil, and one not underlaid with 

 ledges. An absolutely dry soil is also desirable, 

 and a sheltered position : for in the last tender 

 offices of respect to the dead, we are exposed 

 to all seasons, and a harsh sweep of northerly 

 winds adds dismally to the chill of a wintry 

 burial. I think we love to catch, too, in such 

 localities, the first warm beat of the spring sun- 

 shine, and that we welcome the early violets on 

 graves we know, as we welcome them nowhere 

 else. 



If with all these requirements can be asso- 

 ciated picturesque variety of surface, secluded 

 glens and pools, where as in Mount Auburn, 

 water flowers show their white regalia, it would 

 be well ; but there should be no sacrifice of the 

 quiet seclusion which should belong to such a 

 spot to compass the garish charms of over- 

 nice and pretentious gardening. 



Park gardening and decoration is one thing ; 

 that of cemeteries is quite another. Aims, 

 treatment, effects, all should be different. 

 Sombre masses of wood, heavy shadows, these 

 should be present; above all things, there 

 should be avoidance of those sudden surprises 



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