Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-11-17

MONUMENTAL STRUcTUREs.-The first aim
should be TO exclude all gairisb<okens of dis
play and VANITY, all theatrfes1 embellish-
ments, and excuses of mere sentiment, all
coarse and repulsive emblems of the mere
materialism of death. Though we say thar
the grave equalizes all mortal distinctions, we
do not say so Truly. Some signs OF the dis
tinetions and rivalries of life will find express
sion here it cannot be otherwise where
wealth ana poverty shall have their gra, es.
such distinctions, so ia. as they arise from
eminent excellences of character or honorable
fidelity in diseharging the higher trusts of ex-
istence, ought to be recognized here for they
are part oil the wisdom of the grave Good
taste, yes something more simple even than
that, will forbid the obtruSion here of all &C.
centricities all that is barbarous in the shap-
ings of the monumental structure, or boast
full or i'll. toned in the inscription which it
may bear. Death needs no artificial skill, no
ingenuity, no concet. no parade, to invest it
with effect. Ali such exhibitions win but de-
tract from its solemnity.
And, even as to epitaphs, there are some
suggestions which may be spoken IN a still
tenantless cemetery, better than where in sim
gle instances good taste may nave been vioat-
ed, Flattering titles, superlative praise and
even some expressions of grief or hope, do not
sacred privacy of saddened home, father
or a mother may be spoken OF as 'rhe very
best of parents" Brother, sister, or friend
may there be extolled as excelling all others,
known to the fond household circle, in purity,
goodness OF fidelity. But, il the superlauyes
and encomiums which express these domestic
partialites are inscribed upon stone and OBJ
tTuded upon strangers, they may not always
awaken the right emotion. So also, when
those who have not lived or died in the esteem
aud good report of their associates are COM
mitted to the earth, near affection NAV have
treasured some remembrances of kindness,
some good intent, some struggling effort, even
in them; and the softened hearts of the mourn
ing may prompt an epItaph-as often an OBJ
ituary- which will not harmonic with gen.
eral repute nor with the grounds of Christian
hope. Modest silence is better then than the
ventures OF charity, or the prominent sug es-
ton of the large compass Of the divine mercy.
The great hope OF affection may be as strong
if held within the heart, rs if it were chisel-
led out in marble. The philosopher Plato
restricted the longest epitaph to four verses.
and suggested that the poorest soil was most
meet Tor human burias. We may approve
his formal counsel rather than the latter. The
epttaph of the emperor Adrian's horse is pre-
served; but his own has perished-not, we
may surmse, because of It's modesty or its
justice.
The rules of exclusion, which good taste
and the harmonies of propriety and consisten-
cy will enforce in such cemetery, will not
trespass upon the large liberty which ndivid-
ual preferences may exercise for variety. Va
rlety will be desirable here or elsewhere. The
colors Of the stones from which monuments
are hewn are various so may be their shapes,
and the emblems which they bear. Flowers
and trees are diversely fashioned, robed and
dyed so may be their groupings and effects
The slender or the solid structure, the broken
shaft, the consecreted cross, the simple head
stone, the single memorial OF a whole house
hold with the record page of the family Bible
Transcribed upon it, the urn, the vase, the
whitening flower, the crysas, the inverted
torch, the winged globe, the serpent coiled
into circle-the ancient emblem of unend.
ing time-these do not exhaust variety,
though they express so much. 1t is, how
ever, to be remembered here that the effort af-
ter silgnlarity or novelty, whether shown in
dress, or manners, or literature, or scientific
or philosophical or religious speculations,
most frequently fails, and in matters of taste
produces the most tasteless results. Rev.
George E. EkliS'S ADDRESS at Vood}aapn