Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-11-06
snrinr Grove Cemeterr.

with natural gifts, and to the genius OF Mr..
Strauch, the present superintendent Oin-
cinnati has probably the most elegant rural
cemetery in the world. Disinterested gen
tlemen who have seen all the famous
necropolii of Europe and America do not
hesitate to pronounce our Spring Grove
superior in attractiveness to the best of them,
tbonph inferior to several in extent and cost
linoss of decoration. This is owing to two
causes: the character of the ground, which
is well adapted to the purpose to which it is
dedicated and the artistic skill of Mr..
Strauch, who has, it would seem, made the !
most of its capacity for improvement
1t has evidently been the aim of Mr..
Strauch not to cover up, but to interpret
Nature-to bring Art to aid her in the ex-
pression of her own idea; and while keep
ing in view the especial purpose to which
the spot is devoted to n'-.event the execution
of that purpose from giving it mechanical
aspect aid destroying the unity which Ma
ture had established. Indeed, the beauty of
Spring Grove consists in the fact that we are
able to view it as whole. Unlike the other
rural cemeteries of the country, its subdi-
vision into parts, the subjects of individual
ownership, has been kept from attaining such
prominence as greatly to mar the general
affect. To this end the most irksome of the
labors of Mr.. Strauch have been directed
but before his zeal and his assiduity, the
obstacles have one after another given
way - the ugly stone posts and grim
iron ratings, with which lot-owners,
suffering under excellent intentions, but
afflicted with terrible tastes, sought to
ornament their property, are coming down;
and there is reason to hope that, before long,
Nature, set loose from her impediments
will be permitted to speak out with COM
parative freedom in testimony of her own
L loveliness.
We have heard it remarked that at Spring
Grove, Nature and the Superintendent had
both done their duty; and that the field for
= criticism began with the doings of the lot
owners Nor can it be denied that there is
= q much more abundant exhibition of will
= lingness to do than of knowledge how to do,
on the part of this class. A. taste heteroclite
or uncultivated is not an offense; it is only a
misfortune. 1t does not become offensive
until its proprietor persists in adhering to
his own ideas, contrary to the testimony of
those whose views, from their superior op-
portunities and attainments, are entitled to
respect. There are some such who hold
property ateSpring Grove; and whose bad
taste being an active quality, hadled them to
erect original monuments to it; which are
readily distinguished by all who take the
trouble to examine, The greater share of
the bad taste, however, is passive; leading
the party to acts Of imitation-generally of
|. doubtful Or meretricious models. OF this,
Spring Grove has plenty of examples, of
which we do not design to speak individually
in what follows, contenting ourselves with
pointing out few things by which the
Cemetery in its general effect, is injured
To the iron and stone fences with which
;. some of the lots are surrounded, we have
:, already alluded. They are gradually disap-
: pearing and the improved aspect which is
. impaired to the grounds by their removal is
;, accelerating the process. None are now be-
:, ing erected and, probably, within few
:. years, the last will have departed. There is,
uOWtNGI, u l6luSllCgt Oh VIZ Pulb Vi oOlhCi "
=, plant prominent and, indeed, ornamental
/. corner monuments. This, although not as
!, bad as the stone and iron fences, is still too
a bad, being a marring of the general effect
for the benefit of little private vanity. In
place where stone is destined to be so pien-
tiful, every piece that does not express a
:, sentiment or commemorate an event, should
4 be kept ont of sight These corner monu.
= uments need be no higher than the grass
- and if, instead of the CLASSY white marble,
.. of which they are constructed, greensboro,
:, verde aatique-some thing in harmony with
the covering of the soil-were employed,
the change for the better would be very
4 great. .,4wed Ir -1is
e There is reason to fear that in, the process
d of time the Spring Grove landscape will un
IS dergo transformation that will bring il
It into close resemblance to an immense
?. stone-cutting establishment. The tendency
q is to the multiplication of monuments. Peo-
n pie have lots, they have money, they want
10 to do something, and they have not that
1T taste which leads them to find their grati6-
70 cation in a consistent whole, rather than in
ar the ornamentation of particular part
IN They go into the stone business as if the
IS establishment of the Cemetery depended
l. upon their outlays and produce effects that
d people of cultivation regret, though they
10 can not amend. Instead of the multiplied.
IN ton of cheap or common pieces-the mere
I'd works of the stone-cutter-it would be fal
lie better 10 put money into some thing which
or for its massiveness or its artistic excellence
er would attract the attention of the vision
e. and be testimonial in favor of the ereotor
a. There are enough Of mere pieces Of stone a
Spring Grove, already; and Of course ther
of is no demand for a multiplication merel,
IL for the sake of numbers. They who hav
d. monuments to erect, can afford to wait unit
as they can avail themselves of the advice G
u persons of taste, and thereby make a rea
es addition to the attractions of a place i
fit whose beauty so many have an interest
IL Boston Business Directory.
n We are indebted to Messrs. Damrell
II 90