I 12 
THE MODERN CEMETERY. 
though some are larger, and occasionally there is 
one in heart shape. The last undoubtedly stand 
for the satisfied affection of some maid who has 
made Novena there, seeking relief for that illness of 
the heart called Love. 
St. Rochs is in high favor with the young folks 
of the Crescent City as a mediator in lover’s quar- 
rels. I strongly suspect that an innocent faced 
young girl in a fresh, crisp muslin, whom I ventured 
to ask a few questions as she hastened towards the 
chapel, candle in hand, was begging the saint’s in- 
tercession to untangle a difficulty between her- 
self and some happy-go-lucky man, who knew 
full well that she would bring it out all right 
some way and save him the trouble. When the 
same little maid learned that I was making my 
first visit to St. Rochs, she lost no time in ad- 
vising me to wish for something before leaving, 
as it was certain to come true; which in itself 
was convincing proof of a kindness of heart that 
would put the masculine half of the quarrel in 
the wrong in the mind of every reasonable man 
or woman. 
Scattered through the enclosure are the 
twelve stations of the cross, and before their al- 
tars some one is ever stopping to breathe a pray- 
er. Near one of the stations there is growing 
what is called there, sacred heart clover. The 
leaves are a tre-foil, about the size of white clover 
leaves, but on each one there is a small heart, 
blood red in color. I believe it to be the so-cal- 
led Calvary clover, (Medicago echinus) said to 
be native to Palestine. The name of Calvary 
clover is due to several peculiarities. It is 
alleged that if the plant is to thrive the seed 
must be sown on Good Friday; then when the 
plants are young the leaves bear the heart-shap- 
ed spots, like freshly spilled blood, that are said 
to remain bright for a time and then gradually 
fade away. The three leaves composing the 
trefoil stand erect during the day in the form 
of a cross; but at sunset the arms of the cross 
are drawn together and the upper leafllet bows 
over them as if in prayer. In good time the 
plant bears small yellow flowers that are fol- 
lowed by little spiral pods bearing sharp pric- 
kles, and as the pods ripen these curl up and 
interlace with one another, forming a ball which 
when fully ripe, may be unwound, (the soft lining 
to the pods being first removed), and easily twisted 
about the fingers into a miniature crown of thorns. 
So, by its blood-stained leaves, extended arms, 
bowed head, and by the day when the seed is pla- 
ced in the ground to await resurrection, the plant 
has gained its name of Calvary clover. 
Campo Santo Cemetery contains both tombs 
and graves. That the latter should be permitted 
seems unaccountable, for when graves are dug wa- 
ter stands in them before interment takes place, so 
that the boxes are put directly into the water un- 
less temporarily baled out. This being the case, 
how any one can choose the vicinity as a place of 
habitation is incomprehensible. The crying need 
of New Orleans, of all places, seems to be Crema- 
tories, and the compulsory use of them. 
In New Orleans, funerals are made occasions of 
much ceremony, especially by the colored people. 
ST. ROCHS’ CHAPEL, NEW ORLEANS.— FRONT VIEW. 
and an imposing funeral cortege does much to as- 
suage grief, and is also good ground for subsequent 
pride and satisfaction. In view of this fact, the 
story of a bright young woman resident of New 
Orleans is apropos. Having taken a northern friend 
to see St. Rochs, they chanced upon a colored fun- 
eral, and knowing the race fancy for a large com- 
pany, she did not hesitate to join the procession for 
the purpose of further study of the cemetery practi- 
ces. On reaching the open grave, the coffin was 
deposited at one side, (it would be strict truth to 
