616 Thoughts on modern Burying Grounds. 



ments fixed on them are of a pure white, and in part gilt. They 

 appear put on at random ; and, notwithstanding their abundance 

 on the plain part of the walls, yet the windows are without 

 facings or labels of any kind. At the base of the walls there is 

 a raised border of dug soil, with an embattled stone edging, 

 planted chiefly with geraniums, which, though pretty in itself, 

 is too much in the cottage style for a castle ; and, besides, 

 this border cannot fail to produce damp in the rooms within, 

 In short, we should say that this castle exhibited the very re- 

 verse of good taste; but, as all these ornaments were made by 

 the workmen of the country on the spot, much good was done 

 by the employment given, and by the creation of a number of 

 superior workmen. Every part of the buildings, fences, and 

 roads, seemed in complete repair, and in high order and keep- 

 ing, which, for such an extensive place, is saying a great deal. 



In passing on to Tunbridge Wells, we observed the nursery- 

 grounds of Mr. C. Hollamby, at Strawberry Hill, well cropped, 

 showy, and in good order. At the Wells we examined those 

 of Mr. Cripps, where we saw a variety of Nemophila atomaria 

 with black flowers, a new cleome from Texas, Mr. Cripps's white 

 fuchsia, and several other new things. 



Art. IV. Thoughts on modern Burying-Grounds By A. S. M. 



The associations connected with a place of burial are of a 

 solemn and impressive nature, and therefore nothing that is 

 light or gaudy should ever appear within its bounds. It is the 

 fashion nowadays to tvrn cemeteries into flower-gardens ; but 

 surely a flow r er-garden and a burying-ground are places set apart 

 for very different purposes, and therefore they ought to be kept 

 separate from each other, and each in its own place. Let us 

 take a walk through the new burying-ground of D — — , and we 

 shall there behold a specimen of the modern fashion of laying 

 out places of sepulture. As we pass along the outside of the 

 iron railing before we arrive at the entrance gate, the graves 

 are hid from our view by a strange medley, by way of an out- 

 side border, where trees, shrubs, and flowers are planted in one 

 confused mixture ; the herbaceous plants being all tied in a 

 bunch, as close as they will tie, so that the innermost stems are 

 well protected from the effects both of light and air. The in- 

 scriptions on the stone pillars of the gate are excellent and well- 

 selected ; but, anon, we are in the midst of a gay and beautiful 

 scene which might easily be mistaken for a flower-garden in 

 reality, were the gravestones in the middle of the compartments 

 only kept out of sight. The walks are fringed with flowers, 

 and amongst them stand rows of trees arranged botanically, with 



