172 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



legislature prohibiting burials within the precincts of towns, and 

 was first used in 1804. Concerning it I should say that, although 

 many shrubs and flowers are used for decorative purposes within 

 its limits, yet it is in fact an3thing but a garden cemetery, for 

 it is said that between 1804 and 1832 nearly thirty thousand 

 monuments were erected within it. "This burial ground," Ilaz- 

 litt observes, "is tricked out and overacted, as if there were noth- 

 ing sacred from impertinence and affectation." Mr. A. Strauch 

 says on this point : "It is calculated that over one hundred millions 

 of francs have been expended in the erection of monuments to tlie 

 dead ; manj' of them are, however, disfigured by ridiculous inscrip- 

 tions and other ornamental puerilities." He r.ays further : "It 

 may perhaps be justly contended that the rivalry of art which 

 abounds here weakens the effect which the solemn character of 

 the place ought to inspire." Indeed many of my own personal 

 friends who have visited Paris corroborate this statement, and say 

 that amongst all the cemeteries of Paris, though thov are richer 

 in works of art than ours, none display that beautiful alliance of 

 nature and art which may often be found in our own. 



The English cemetery at Lisbon is said to be very picturesque. 

 It contains a handsome chapel, and is planted largely with pine 

 trees, and adorned with shrubs and flowers. 



The practice of the continent, in removing burial places from 

 towns to the country, was first imitated in England about the year 

 1825. Among the earliest examples was one near Liverpool ; and 

 others were formed at Birmingham, Manchester, and other large 

 cities and towns throughout the couutry. The principal London 

 cemeteries are those at Kensal Green (begun in 1834), the West 

 London, Highgate, Abney Park, ^Junhead, Tower Hamlets, and 

 Norwood ; all of which are laid out and planted with ornamental 

 trees and shrubs — most of them with a view to picturesque 

 effect. Later many have sprung up, in various parts of England, 

 laid out on the landscape lawn [)lan, which are in striking contrast 

 with the old churchyard burial grounds ; i)artaking more of our 

 own rural cemetery style. 



It is unnecessary at this time to make more than brief allusion to 

 our own Mount Auburn. The narrative of its oiigin already in print 

 in the Histouy of tiik .Socikty, and undoubtedly familiar to you, 

 needs no repetition, and the object sought to be secured in its es- 

 tablishment is also familiar to you all. Those of us who, though 



