Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1864-01-16
THE ORNAMENTATION OF CEN.
ETERIES.

We quote from the Gardeners Chron;-
sea short article on this subject, inter.
esting to many at this sad time, when the
fairest and brightest of our land are Sleep
ing SO quietly, leaving only their graves
TO our love:
"a correspondent has written 10 ask
our opinion upon the following question,
which appers to be daily becoming more
worthy of consideration Should ceme-
teries be decorated with the gaycst flowers
that can be obtained or, would it not
look far more in character with the place
10 substitute trees, shrubs, and plants of a
sober tintl'
"Now we look upon this question as in
volving considerations Of pure taste and
feeling, upon which any person possessing
those qualities is capable ofgiving an opin.
ion; we therefore should be very glad to
know the views of any of our correspond
eDts who have considered the matter while,
without assuming the airs of an 'ar5iter
elegamtsar~m,' we vanture to express our.
selves very decidedly in favor of the shrubs
of sombre hue, and against the gaudy
flowers. Or perhaps we should like best
of all 10 keep the general features of
cemetery to some extent sombre and fu-
neral, while we should wish the tenderest
emotions to be raised by the sight of in.
dividual graves thoughtfully cared for,
rendered pleasing to the eye, soothing to
the mind, with few simple wild flowers,
and fragrant with primrose, violets, or
sWeetbriar, the sacred lobor of some f.
male hand, the tribute of some loving
heart Such flowers of nature speak for
themselves; they tell their own tale.-
But, perhaps, to confne ourselves to such
as these would be imposing too narrow
limitation Turely there can be no OBJ.
ject to the presence of any flowers that d o
not require the continual labor of the gar.
dener and his men, provided that they
are not introduced into the walks, or rang.
en- in elaborate paterres, which would give
notion Of paid for work, and not be sug-
gestive, as they manifestly should be, of an
offering of affection, labor of love-
Among the flowers that would seem to be
most appropriate, one thinks of the modest
snowdrop, peeping above ground ere the
winter is gone-the harbinger of spring,
or the crocus expanding its beauteous fow-
ers on the first cheering sunshiny day.
Anemones, bright and hopeful blue bells,
sweet and elegant, hanging down their
heads; the true old fuchsia cocciner, with
pended spray, but not its vulgar improve
ments. All these are admissible, and our
fair readers will easily thing of a multi.
tude of others quite as appropriate.
"It appears to US that the endeavor to
harmonize outward objects with our in
ward feelings is a true mark of delicacy
and refinement; and, on the contrary, the
abrupt introducing of matters perfectly in
congruous with our frame of mind, ever
must be harsh and jarriug to the sensitive.
To rejoice with them that do rejoice, and
weep with them that weep it is at once a
Christian maxim, and the dictate of a
warm and sympathising nature. TO make
cemeteries into gay promenade would be
as painful to the feelings, and almost as
much out of place as dancing at funeral