202 OUT-OF-TOWN PLACES. 



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 sunshine, and that we 

 welcome the early violets on graves we know, as we 

 welcome them nowhere else. 



If with all these requirements can be associated 

 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 and graceful deceits by which gardeners 

 sometimes win their lesser honors. Great simplicity 

 of design is also essential, not only as in keeping 

 with the sepulchral offices of such ground, but being, 

 to a certain extent, proof against the harm which an 

 elaborate plan must suffer by injudicious planting in 

 private inclosures. 



