The Sun.
London, England, 1850-09-07 00:00:00

ft

LONDON, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1850.

Notwithstanding the recent prohibition of intra-
mural interment s by Act of Parliament, the metro-
polis is still rendered the receptacle for human de-
composition. The fact is such as to yield serious
cause for dejection ; and, considering the course lately
adopted by the Legislature, affords considerable
reason for remonstrance. Either the evil referred to
must be at once and indignantly prevented, or a great
measure like the one just passed through both Houses,
and sanctioned by the voice of the SOVEREIGN, dwindles
into a mere scroll of parchment, without merit or
authority. The dignity of the Senate, violated by
this open defiance of its jurisdiction, demands
some movement on the part of the Government so
stringent and decisive, that the obedience of parochial
officials shall no longer be optional on a matter of
such immense importance to the community, but
shall be henceforth and for ever in the fullest accepta-
tion of the term compulsory.
The innovations mapped out in this particular by
the recently created law requiring the adoption, as
far as the crpital is concerned, of the system of extra-
mural seesulture, are of enormous multiplicity and of
startling magnitude. It becomes consequently requi-
site to adventure forthwith upon their realization,
otb'erwise, without evincing something like enterprize
at the very beginning of the improvement, but little
chance remains of the desired change being secured
within any reasonable interval. To be plain—it
must be obvious that the effec's of the Bill passed
through the Imperial Parliament abolishing the system
of parochial burials, renders it imperatively neces-
sary to make immediate provision for the extramural
interment of from 60,000 to 70,000 bodies per an-
num. It cannot be objected that our estimate is in
any degree exaggerated when it is borne in recollec-
tion that the mortality for the year last past has been
calculated at no less enormous an amount than
68,432—a number yielding a weekly average of
1,316 and a daily average of 187 ! To provide for
the decent interment of this immense accumulation
of bodies, in accordance with the principle laid down
in the new Act of Parliament, it becomes essentially
advisable for the Government to make such provi-
sion for the carrying out of the intentions of the Le-
gislature as shall deprive those who are ready to
evade its authority of the shadow of an
opportunity. Now, without further hesitation, we
must at once avow that this provision,
to our mind, is in no direction discoverable. We
mean, of course, adequately. For the purpose of
illustrating this, it is only necessary to direct attcn•
tion to the favourite project with the Administration
for the opening of a large extramural cemetery.
According to statistics defying all contradiction
whatever us to their accuracy, it appears that
this scheme is in the highest degree objec-
tionable in regard to its deficit ncy both in area and
access, in locality and principle, as well as in a va-
riety of other minor but still enormously important
particulars. 'We allude to the pet scheme of the Erith
Cemetery. As to area, it must be acknowledged
at the very outset to be most objectionable, notwith-
standing the earnest encomiums passed upon it by
the Board of Health. It is true, that with 90 acres
of Belvidere, 232 acres of the Abbey Wood, and 70
acres inclosed from lands in the immediate vicinity, it
would spread over an extent of no less than 400 acres.
Yet, instead of being land otherwise useless, the pro-
posed cemetery will occupy ground of perpetually
increasing value for all building purposes. Besides'
which, it is based altogether upon a plan which,
while it has nevar yet been submitted to the
inhabitants of the locality for approval, has
excited throughout the north -west district of
the county the strongest and sternest opposition.
I❑ addition to which, it must be allowed that with a
mortality of 187 per day, of 1,316 per week, of G 8,432
per annum, even 400 acres of ground will go but a
little way in affording the desired space for interment.
Again, as to access, the situation of the spot is any-
thing but satisfactory. It requires a horrible accu-
mulation of difficulties and inconveniences—it requires
a miserable voyage of upwards of an hour through the
most crowded and difficult part of the Thames
navigation—it requires the perpetual embarka-
tion and disembarkation of the quick and the
dead promiscuously—it requires the jumbling to-
gether of coffins and mourners on board these ghastly
vessels of lamentation in the most horrible and dis-
tracting confusion. "Yielding, moreover, a novel