PARK AND CEMETERY. 
206 
ment of the London Necropolis Company’s Brook- 
wood cemetery, which was founded in 1852 by special 
act of Parliament. It is a strictly business organiza- 
tion, with a capital of $750,000, divided into 15,000 
shares of $50 each, fully paid up. The company has 
about 100 employes, and their total business amounts 
to about $75,000 annually, of which $25,000 is from 
the sale of monuments. 
About 300 of the 500 acres of the grounds are now 
in use, and the company owns a residential suburb at 
Woking and other land adjoining the cemetery that 
can be added to meet future needs. 
The accompanying pictures show some interesting 
views that indicate in some measure the excellent care 
given to the grounds. While some features may be 
noted which do not conform to modern American 
standards in our lawn plan cemeteries, there is a fine 
showing of trees, some excellent planting, and a class 
of monumental work above the average of the Eng- 
lish cemetery. The major portion of the latter seems 
to consist of crosses and tablets, with a too frequent 
appearance of the conventional and overdrawn Italian 
statuary. Some of the tablets and crosses, however, 
are simple in design and of graceful proportion. A 
number of styles of ledger monuments, and others 
built to receive cinerary urns, are more frequently 
seen than in American cemeteries. These lend variety 
to the stone work, and obtrude less upon the beauties 
of the lawn than tall shafts or ornate statuary. Cop- 
ing and other enclosures for graves and lots, which 
have been abandoned in American lawn cemeteries, 
are seen in profusion. 
The grounds were originally laid out by a land- 
scape gardener, Mr. Hannson, who was considered the 
best man of his time. They are now in charge of the 
cemetery gardening department. Outside gardeners 
are allowed to do work for lot owners if desired, but 
the gardening department is so well organized that 
with but few exceptions the maintenance is entrusted 
to it. Certain portions of the grounds near the station 
and chapels are set apart for exclusively ornamental 
purposes. The splendid growth of trees includes 
more of the fir variety than any other. Some of the 
Wellingtonias are considered the finest in the country. 
The hollies also are the best of their kinds and much 
admired. Oak, birch, cedar and other varieties are 
seen in large numbers. 
The company’s handsomely illustrated and well- 
written descriptive booklet says of the grounds : 
“Though trees have been planted in profusion, no mere 
turfing has been allowed to blot out the rich purple of the 
native heather, and the gorgeous masses of rhododendrons 
that make such a brave show in the early summer are in 
perfect harmony with the surrounding scene. Here indeed 
it seems impossible to realize that London is within 40 min- 
utes by train, where only the glorious stretch of the Sur- 
rey hills lies before our eyes. There is no crowding 
here ; in many parts one comes on a grave with almost the 
same surprise as if it were in some private park, and there 
are quiet spots, shaded by trees and undergrowth, where 
none have yet been buried. Truly, it is just such a spot as 
mourners seek to lay to rest the one most dear to them ; a 
place beautiful, “far from the madding crowd,” where, 
undisturbed, friends may rest awhile near those who rest 
for ever. The huge masses of masonry that make some 
cemeteries so hideous are here conspicuous by their ab- 
sence. and the memorials, varied and even costly as they are, 
are distinguished by a good taste and artistic sense that is 
too often regrettably absent in such places. 
Trees of every kind flourish here; silver birches and cop- 
per beeches add beauty with their contrasting foliage, cy- 
press trees and shrubs galore give warm shelter when the 
winds are cold, and stately wellingtonias stand like giant 
sentries keeping vigil over the sleepers till the great awaken- 
ing. In addition the visitor will not fail to note the splen- 
did show of flowers on every side, many of the graves in- 
deed being a mass of glowing blooms. In this respect it is 
safe to say that Brookwood Cemetery is unapproached, so 
that the whole effect produced is veritably a Garden of 
Sleep.” 
The question of sentiment has been considered, as 
the natural wishes of members of church congrega- 
tions and fraternities to be buried among their fellow 
worshippers has been fully respected. A public road- 
way which passes through the cemetery forms a divi- 
sion between the portion consecrated by the Estab- 
lished Church and the portion allotted to other de- 
nominations. In each stands a handsome chapel. 
There are four chapels on the grounds, one each for 
the Church of England, Nonconformist, Roman Cath- 
LONDON NECROPOLIS CO.’S DISPLAY OF MONUMENTS IN GLASS SHOW ROOM AND ON LAWN 
Brookwood Cemetery, Woking, Eng. 
