Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-11-06
Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia.
BY c. A. READ.

f 1 have visited many "cities of the dead, ;
Q but none ever so interested and filed my
soul with alteration, as this. So beauti
, fully located, it SCENE like place whert
Heavenly contemplation dwells." The
deep dell, at the bottom of which flows
the Schuylkill, the grove of lofty trees or
its banks, the singularly solemn looking
old mansiOn-house in the midst of this
garden Of DEATH" the little chapel en-
closed, with its deep-stained windows, and
the clustering vines, and wild flowers on
every side, combined with every invention
that the chisel could execute to render
grief immortal-altogether, form scene
that can not fail to deeply interest any ad-
mirer # art, and adorer Of Nature and
Natures Gcd.
At the entrance, Is a monument to the
memory of Walter Scott. The fgG.Te of
"0ld Mortality" with spade and shovel IN
hand, travelling from place to place, can
not but indellibly stamp upon the mind of
every gazer-"Thou too art mortal and
travelling to the tomb"
As you leave this and pass on, the whole
solemn and impressive scene bursts upon
you, part lying in the perspective dis
tance, and half hidden in the luxuriant
foliage. Here you see the dOting husband,
concentrating his love by the lofty col
umn that tells the worth of her who sleeps
beneath. Here the brothers storied urn,
there the afectionate sisters monument,
while now and then rises noble shaft to
the memory of some beloved one that
sleeps in foreign land.
In one enclosure lies, perh aps, a whole
family, that the "scythe of death" cut
down with one fatal stroke, or, perchance,
one dear one left behind to weep DER their
But what is this, so truly natural, as to
draw tears from every eye that gazes there
on? 1t is beautiful infant, wrapped in
the sleep of death, sweetly repOsing with
one little hand beneath its tiny head;
while his sweet eountenance looks as though /
life was but just extinct. The babe thus
early rensored and fondfy remembered, was
a mothers only darling, and as she stood |
around the mound, flowers en-
blematical of her love, bedeBing them with |
affections tears" who could forbear sym
pathizing with her, and breathing a fer
vent prayer that she may meet that cher
ished one in the world where all tears are
wiped from sorrows eye. Fond mother;
weep no more for this little 'bud of hope"
it has only been transplanted to bloom ev-
er more in pc rennial cline where flowers
lie not.
But we pass, to a more humble and Sc
,luded spot, where the deep shadows of
,ver-hanging trees almost hide from OBJ
;ervation, beautiful obelisk, fit emblem
If her who lies beneath. A sweet, gentle
md unasSuming girl who had been reared
lnder the fostering care of good and pious
larents, who had early inculeated within
ler, love of virtue and true piety. She
vas the idol of their hearts. But, death
yer chooses a. shining mark" and took
rom them their precious treasure in the
rim of her days and the pride of her
,eauty. They laid her in this quiet spot,
nd, as though by magic, appeared the
tone with their parting words inscribed
hereon; Farewell, sweet child, may an
els guard thy sleeping dust until We meet
gain in Heaven"
In remote corner, as if to shun the
axe of the strangers eye. plain monu-
rental stone attracts your attention, with
aught inscribed, but this appellative- :
Ny Mother" What a touching memo {
al of the affection of an only orphan son. !
hough simple in form, it speaketh vol .
mes to the heart
Where could be found a more ftful .
lace for meditation, than this chamber of v
be dead? Though 1 oft frequent this n
onsec7Faated spot, never left without feel
los of regret; and the solemn Impressions a
lcre received. though long time ago, can ]
ever be effaced from the Tablet of Mem S
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