Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-12-01
ported by a political scare-crow, slave and
sycophanf.
FUNERALS.

on the subject Of intermenis. The sentiments
expressed by the writer, are in accordance with
our own views, and tally precisely with an ar
ticlc we wroto on the same subject, some eight
or ten months since, and which we arc graft
fed to say. met the entire appreciation of tie
patrons of this paper, and of the citizens ofihis
town generally.
1t is a hard thing to break up old and invc,-
crate customs; lit is as easy to destroy an al
most incuiablc disease, as il is to anrihilata
fashionable foibles, but when customs inno-.
vate on our happiness, interest, and on the
good order and vel! being of society. tho aues-
ton ar ses is i, not import ant to make an ef.
fort TO destroy the evils. But without detainin.
The reader too long a time. We proceed TO copy
the remarks of the Philadelphia writer:
We are not ignorant Of the extreme diff
Guilty oil any attempt 10 oppose customs Of long
s'andng and'general practice, especially when
their exercise is connected with rei.g Gus SER
wees, or ia some measure Identified with an
expression OF respect and grief for the dead
Yet where that custom grows into an evil,
whose operation is felt with bitter force by the
poor, and under circumstances to prevent pub-
he complaint, those whose chance II may be
to hold influence over public opinion by means
Of the press, are c~ulpable il they neglect an
opportunity 10 do good. For our own part
humble as may be our share in operating i.p.n
the general mind, and little as We may hone
TO effect Any important change in pahIie sen.
tiinent or public practice, We will not DC want
ING IN essays 10 bring about the correction
which Of course will spring from greater pre-
cepts and more elevated examples il.an j, is in
our power 10 offer. Therc is no expenditure
incident 10 a family, mich is so unproportion-
ed, 70 entirely ioord,nate. SO uncalied Tor, and
SO little adapted to the occasion, as that which.
by custom, is consequent on the death and
burial of a friend. Tins, We know, is unpcpu-
lar, and by some will be deemed unienaLls
gronnd. Ii those who should think proper ia
oppose our assertion, had commenced The ar
gu 'cni, nothing would be left 10 US but 10 de-
ny the propriety Of tic parade at u u,eral.
ana It's necessary expenses, and call upon those
who esteem them just, 10 slew IN what their
proprciy oI benefits exist but We have taken
tle iaboring oar m our own hand, and must
pull against the stream; and, not 10 drop The
s'm'lc, perhaps, in obedience 10 strict custom,
we may be found, in our practice, like other
~ro,oers, looking IN a contrary direction from
that TO which our precepts point
From the earliest times, We find attention
paid TO the rites of Sc pulchre. That decent
attention to the bostowal Of a beloved form.
WHICH reason dictated and affection SANCTION
ed, taught the ancient Patriarch to purchase.
at a generous price, a field. that he .. mipIt
bury his dead out Of his sight" And we infer,
from recorded facts. that in process of time.
tins regard to the dccencies of civilized life
towards the remnants Of mortality, was not
only strictly paid by his successors, but that a
| f,Iep eattu,ata IF tho 1icnl,y &C ~x;.c J
them 10 extend their MORNINGS till they be-
came a reproach and an object of divine in
reference; they were Forbidden TO sc cut their
eyebrows and 10 make other dcmonstra-
tons of grief, which should be Cnbccomng
the chosen people of the Lord. Passing from
those without further and %o,njttin..
TO notice the practice of other ancient nations
who merged the wealth Of kingdoms in pyra-,
mos and mausoleums, to perpetuste the re-
nienbrance OF their folly, We come 10 times in
which all are concerned, and TO Customs " hich
aiict every class, and We pronounce the FASH
lonable node of disposing of the dead, and
expressing grief for their loss, as among tho
most unnecessary and. unreasonable eypendi-
lures OF TIE times as causing ex,cnsne misery
to individuals as well as society. We know
that " 1t IS the last that can be ~done'-,buc
"to one 30 good and so beloved" IL were sec.
riege 10 deny those obscquics, " hat themselves
wouid havc rendered 10 others" These how
ever, are tie dictates Of PRIDE appealing TO
wounded feelings; liey are the sentiments or
tho'c who are TOO much absorbed in aiii,ctjou
20 LIS en- 10 judgment. They are like ise moro
frequently the Arguments Of the roor ard tEcso
n modcrt tc clrcums; inces, than OF those who
abound ~ wealth. Tic ricl, man consents 10
custom; it is 40 ti,ne for him TO talk of econo-
my, -" hen he ~ suit'icn down by affection; and
the next, ia point at wealth, IS not 10 DE out-
done in his man fosfa'ions Of grief; the sab, Il
ncarsc, the long tram of empty carriages, Ia
rivalry of costly "inky cloats,'' and all Inn
outward demonstrations Of mourning, must
show his loss and who shall tell wheie this
expensive show shall end; no one IN the mo-
ment of affection, wall allow his grief to be less
po giant, or his ale yiion TO have been less ar
dent than those of a feilow sufferer whose
veal h permitted y costly disrlay-snd future
comforts are to be sacrificed, that there NAV
be no disparity in the demonstration Of these
feelings. Even in tie lowest ranks OF life.
where day 10y day they receive tier daily
bread, ahere means have been exhausted lo
procure comforts for tie suffer ing sick. fhe
calam,iiies Of his death have doubled 49,
certainty that his funeral expenses world thto>v
his surviving family upon the immediate chart
ties Of friends, and entail long months ofsnr,-
va'ion upon them to meet the unnet essay and
oppressive taxation.
In addition 10 this amount Of real misery.
tins curtailn,ent Of comforts, almost of ncces.
saries, who is he that has lost near and dear
friends, that has not felt his ounds ,ank,od.
has feelings ncaly liberated, by The pom, md
circums, ahce of q funeral ceremony, I,oy
much mere tonsoia,ory must II be to a cal
mourror, to have those fom whose enJoyn mt
death has sSparae'd ao feai to irer lat oh.
ita,ion in that qmet deee'.ey y hn would lie.
token be rnfninr "a - N I'm dead. ami Iof