Rural Cemeteries. 497 



the spot is marred by vulgar ostentation, and nature refuses 

 to lend it those charms, which she reserves for the delight of 

 a more simple and humble people. If, however, the sole 

 object of the proprietor of an enclosure be to display his 

 pecuniary resources, and not to produce an effect in harmony 

 with that expression which ought to pervade this sacred 

 depository, he deserves not to be spared by ridicule or satire. 

 Let him not suppose that the sacredness of the place should 

 preserve him from the just indignation of all true lovers of 

 beauty and virtue. Like a coxcomb in the pulpit, he has set 

 himself up as a mark for the sneers and contempt of the 

 world. 



One would think from the style that pervades many objects 

 in our cemeteries, that their only purpose is to enable the 

 living to vie with one another in the extravagance of the 

 works which are erected over the dead ; or to enable a stranger 

 to go there and select the rich from the poor. But these 

 things would afford a false criterion ; for there are wealthy 

 people who are possessed of taste, and there are bankrupts who 

 are guilty of extravagance. I would select these gaudy and 

 costly erections as proofs of vulgar improvidence and vanity 

 rather than wealth ; and of a species of improvidence which 

 characterizes a reckless insolvent. 



After one's thousands have been lavished upon a monu- 

 ment, which can serve only as evidence of the folly and 

 pride of the owner, the iron fence is set up around it, like 

 the palisades around one's front yard in the city, that the 

 vulgar may be obliged to stand at a distance and admire it. 

 The next generation will condemn these follies. The present 

 generation would condemn them, had public attention been 

 sufficiently drawn to the subject. The style that should 

 pervade these grounds, and the character of the objects 

 erected within them, have not been made a theme of public 

 discussion. As soon as the people have given it their serious 

 attention, they will perceive the absurdity of the taste that 

 has frequently guided the artist and proprietors. They will 

 be disgusted with their ostentation ; and, it will become tjip 



VOL. XIX. NO. XI. 03 



