applied to Public Cemeteries. 



217 



cally sealed. Where the system of hermetically sealing was proposed to be 

 adopted, we would require the walls of the graves to be built with Roman 

 cement, every coffin to be separated by a flag-stone resting on ledges project- 

 ing from the walls, the joints of this flag-stone to be made good with cement, 

 and a coating of cement of not less than 3 in. in thickness placed over the 

 entire stone. Or, as a substitute for the use of flag-stones, we would sur- 

 round and cover every coffin with a mass of Roman cement, so that it should 

 be completely embedded and enveloped in that material. By this hermetically 

 sealing mode of interment, a great many bodies might be got into one grave ; 

 but it is evidently too expensive for general purposes : for large families it 

 may be the cheapest mode, consistent with safety to the living; but, as there is 

 always the possibility of desecration at some future period, for our own feel- 

 ings we should greatly prefer lateral (side by side) interments in the free 

 soil. 



Sixtliltj, We would allow of ie.^^ or no catacombs or vaults in buildings, 

 and certainly of none in or under churches, or other places where assem- 

 blies of human beings were held ; but, as many catacombs and vaults have 

 been built in the public cemeteries, in the case of all interments in them, 

 the catacomb or vault should be hermetically sealed the same day on 

 which the interment took place, and should on no account whatever be again 

 opened. Nothing can be more dangerous with reference to the health of the 

 living, than the mode prevalent in the new cemeteries, of merely placing an 

 open grating in front of the coffins deposited in catacombs. Were it not for 

 the current of air established through the vaults, by which the mephitic gas 

 is carried off" as fast as it is produced, it would be impossible for a living per- 

 son to exist for an hour in these cellars for the dead. But even if these ca- 

 tacombs were each, when a coffin is placed in it, hermetically sealed in front, 

 there is aearcely one of them so carefully constructed as to be air-tight, so 

 that the mephitic gas is certain to escape from some part of the catacomb, 

 more especially when we consider the expansive power of air when com- 

 pressed. And for what is all this disgusting boxing up of dead bodies, as if 

 to bid defiance to the law of nature ? We cannot think it in good taste 

 to practise this mode of sepulture, and therefore we would render it expen- 

 sive by such a heavy tax as should serve for the interment of the poor in a 

 more careful manner, for the general ornament of the cemetery, or for go- 

 vernment purposes generally. Nor do we think it could be considered op- 

 pressive to pass a law obliging all bodies now in vaults or catacombs under 

 churches, chapels, &c., to be taken out and buried in the free soil. 



Seventhly, We would encourage the erection of handsome monuments, and 

 the inscription on them of moral sentiments, the former to improve the taste, 

 and the latter to cultivate the heart and affections. In both we would allow 

 individual taste to be displayed ; but at the same time we would encourage 

 individuals to submit their designs to men of acknowledged skill, and to 

 listen to their hints for improvement. 



Eiglithlx), We would at all times keep every part of the cemetery in the 

 highest order. The grass should be kept short and smooth by frequent 

 mowing ; the gravel free from weeds and smooth by frequent weeding and 

 rolling; the edges, which we would form of concealed bricks or tiles (Jigs. 56. 



and 57.), low, and 



constantly clipped ; 



and the leaves, as 



they drop from the 



trees, should be 



picked up the same 



day on which 



fell ; litter of 



Fig. 56. Concealed Brick Edoing. ^j^j picked up the ^ig 



moment it appeared; and the walls, chapel, lodge, gates, drains, &c., kept 

 in constant repair. 



they 

 every 



Concealed Tile Edging. 



