True American. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1835-18??, 1838-11-17
7"hMUNIcATEb
PYRAMIOAL CEMETERIES.


1t is related of Moliere, the celebrated french writer
that being day accused of plagarn, and it being
clearly proved that he had taken the main len of .ne of
his best pieces from ancient author m made no
defence, but conenled hmselfwith aging" took my
property where found i'll took jewel from n fool
who stumbled over the gem without knowing its yaIue
Without the genius of NIolsre, the jewel mic hit have
remained in eternal obscurty; for he gave the shane
and polish necessary to the exhibition Of it's pure and
brilliant qualities. Unfortunately the principle so well
enuhciated BY one Of genius had been before and
was often afterwards used formidable weapon against
men OF genins themselves The efforts of many great
minds have, alas only turned the use and benefit of
grasping PRACTICAL Spectators upon the crcduty of the
world This is sad TRUTH take for illustration that
ever enduring instance of successful humbugery the
gilt ct the name OF Americas to the world after the
discovery by Columbus. To this, hundreds of more OBJ
scure examples might he added.
The question may now be asked as the so;-disan,
inventor" opy'anla cemeteries in this ci,v' 10 be
ouked upon ~ Molierp, who takes his property where
he finds it, Americus, who gives his name IN
anothcrs discovery. will undertake to d, CT lie the
question: but il certain that the wor is indebted IN
WILSON, an architect of LONDON for the first plan of
Pyromidal Cemetery. He uBIIsHED his plan in
1880, eight years ago 1t noticed and described
in the European papers; and now, have before
me an old number of the London Penny Magazine
which gives account of Mr. Wilson's projected sruc.
ture, and will extract details:
In order TO Obtain general idea of what is intend.
ed the architect in his prospectus requests his readers
to imagine massive square building diminishing to its
APEX, the base of which occupies area as nrge az
Russell Square. to height considerably abore that of
St Paus aud exhibits every side to its very summit
vast flight OF stars, the whole faced with square blocks
n' granite and snrnont'd by an appropriate obesk.
The enclosure. surrounding the pyramid, would con,an
several acres beyond its bass which might he ia .tefy
lad out for the reception of cenoaphs and monuments
1t is considered that the hnd, monoonous and sombrs
back ground OF the pyramid would present an ample
field for the display ct such works of the statuary as
rat, fine relief for minute objects of art. The enclo
sure would also contain chapel and register office
10 correspond. -Four neat dwellings, would also be pro-
sided for the keeper the clerk the sexton and the SUI
nerinendant. The approach would be through tho
Egyptian port H."
The Architect then enters into minute details as tn
The plan othe interior, the arrangement and size of the
the height thickness, and material Of the
walls; the sanitary precautions. sc. In Short the plan
proves its protector 10 be scientific and practical arch
tcet, of great ability, aud OF enlarged IDEAS send
you, Mr. Editor. the paper that you may Judge for
Yourself.
All the details given TO skow n strange resem
ance between the City Of rhe Dead, projected in this
lily in 1885, and the Pyramid Ceinetery planned in
london, in 1880. leave the reader to draw his own
onclusions. merely STATE a fact. :
It's, however, probable that the plan of Pyra. "
nd Cemetery will not be adopted. Ma ny persona q
ave asked, very properly think, why The pyIa- +
i'dal i"rm should he adopted rather than per a
endicular elevation. Il lie clear that of two maui
'ieums, covering an equal space, and elevated to .
II equal height, thai one whose outer wall would 3
th"se of ordinary buildings, rise at once to the .
VII light, wnuld contain exactly twice the mum.
er of bodies, and consequently save twice the q
'oupd, and large sums in various other WAYS A v
mall pyramid offers but little economy. To make
great saving The pyramid must be large: bur 4
'Tge pyramid, such as projected By Wilson, for /,