The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-09-22

profanely rest upon their shadows, gaz-
ing dull and lifeless from the headStone,
seemingly saying l rest in peace be-
meath this stone, but the vanity of my
frail and perishing body. for YOU to be-
hold and pity
We hare seen pictures similarly
placed, and although much ,bas been
said in the papers of late in regard to it,
it is nothing new. Ii there were no
other objection to this foolish practice,
the fact that they win not last in such
damp. exposed situations, should be suf-
ficient to deter any one from trying the
experiment. Dampness and moisture
will gather under the glass, do what
you viii to prevent it, giving the pict-
ure dim and misty appearance, soon
ending in Its total ruin; a consummation
devoutly to be prayed for, with provi-
so that the picture never be replaced.
Durability is the first requisite in con
structing monuments to the dead. Up
right stones, or tall shafts will not long
remain in place, unless continually watch
ed, and taken care of, and families often
become extinct, leaving 10 one who takes
sufficient interest in these matters to
keep them in repair; how much wiser
to build memorial to the departed that
will withstand the attacks of Time, al
though it may not possess the fleeting
charms of more highly elaborated and
lighter constructed structure. After
making it careful study for years, We
have come to the conclusion that the fol-
lowing mode of building the last resting
place of the dead is as permanent as any
could possibly be.
Discarding family vaults, which are
never lasting, unless built of granite in
the Egyptian style, which is very ex-
pensive, we consider the most approved
way of disposing of the remains to be,
to enclose them in vault of stone just
large enough to contain the coffins. 1.-TWO
or more being generally used placing a
large fiat stone over the top, and sealing
it tightly. Upon this the monument
should rest, measuring about seven feet
in length, four feet in width and three
in height, to be constructed of a single
block of marble, freestone, or better yet,
granite. A tomb constructed in this
way; may present few attractions to the
eye, in point of beauty, although it may
be ornGmented TO any extent desired but
it last a thousand years if need be. and
will require no care whatever. Ii well
and thoroughly constructed the frosts OF
winter cannot touch it, and it viii re-
main as long as it is desirable such a
monument should remain rs a memorial
to the departed.
A word in regard to fencing for lots
! in Cemetery may not be out of place
here. The most permanent enclosures
that can possibly be constructed are built
of stone and iron. The posts to be Of
fieestone or granite, buried three feet in
the earth, and connected by square iron
bats two inches in width. Round bars
will break IN time, but square ones with
the edge or angle uppermost will not.
Copper would be better and last for
ever, but the expense would be four-fold,
and iron will last as long as one could
wish. Thus much in regard to the rest
! ing place of the dead.
. Hoping our readers viii pardon our
depression, and rambling from one sub
iect 10 another, We vii close this article
with the words of one before quoted, in
regard 10 the success of Art in Amer
ica.
Il believe this glorious land is yet to
be the grand theatre for the regeneration
of all things most dear to social beings
| think it no rashness to predict fhal
many now living may behold the spec
tacle of Painting, Music and Poetry,
flying from the chaos of European rev
oIutions, to erect new and more magnif-
icent temples upon the towering noun.
tains and beneath the peaceful skies oi
our happy continent"