The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-01-30

tut tuoy WeIe not lObt, those treasures
And those struggles counted vain,
For as gold is tried in the furnace
so the heart must be tried by pain.
From the Quaker City-Laurei Hill.
PHILADELPHIA Jan. 22d, 1872.
Editor Register:-Having endeavored
to communicate some historic events, de-
scriptions and incidents, connected with
a city Of the living, it may not be inap-
propriate to narrate some facts and de-
scription of a city of the dead. Who has
not heard of Laurel Hill that romantic,
picturesque and beautiful cemetery, be.
meath whose furrowed Greensward, reposo
the ashes of the millionaire, the statesman.
tha warrior tho j"";,.. 81 r-,:.:-:~- ~ -
divine, the lawyer, the artist, the mer-
chant, the mechanic, and the daily labor
er, who all alike are now equals as far
as regards worldly distinctions when in
life. All is hushed in stiffness except the
roar Of passing railway trains, the measur-
ed tread of funeral professions or the
twittering Of the English sparrows as they
sptluR lIOul VI W DIduOu. Ou tdOl
returning pleasant Sabbath, many a fall
ing tear bedews new made grave and
silent invocations are raised to heaven,
that all is, or may be well with the en-
deared ones that have gone from earthly
vision, aid and sympathy.
Laurel Hill is situated about six miles
from Independence Hail. in northerly
direction, is outside the built up portion
Of the city, on the bank of the Schuylkill,
is rolling and high, being over ono hun
dred feet above Philadelphia proper. 1t
was covered with Laurel bushes, before
its improvement and was most attrac-
tive spot for the lovers of beautiful
scenery is accessible by small steamers,
running up the schuylkill; on the western
side, and by horse cars on the eastern side,
via. Ridge avenue, which is the rcutc for
all funeral proce ssons, carriages &c. As
one passes through the gateway and Il
Roman Doric entrance to the grounds,
the first object that attracts the observant
eye short distance forward, is Il stone
vault shaped alcove, in which is placed
Thoms Statue of "Old Mortality" His
pony and Sir Walter Scott the figure Of
old Mortality was cut in Scotland but
that of Sir Walter Scott and the pony,
were chiseled in this country f; and from
stone taken from New Jersey quarry.
do not profess to be critic, or close
jndge of statury, although the figures
alluded to. are cut from q coarse stone OF
reddish brown color, and might be call
ed rustic in their general appearance.
To my apprehension it as closely rivals
nature as any work Of statuary have
ever seen. Sir Walter Scott is in a sit
ting posture facing "Old Mortality" he,
in return is looking toward Scott, but
sitting on raised fat grave stone. with
malet and lettering chise in hand. his
head partially turned and apparently
listening to, or conversing with, Sir Wal
ter. covered with brown dust, the stone
partly lettered, and a number of letter.
ing tools lying about, his dress of an
ancient pattern, his pony standing listless-
ly in the rear part Of the room. with
cropped tail and ears,with an open mouth
sack or bag, hanging on the pommel OF
the saddle, filled with tools necessary to
carry on his trade of lettering tomb
stones. Halter made in imitation oil
wood and rope taking in all they present
representative trio of much interest.
The first interment in the cemetery
took place on the 10Th of October 1886
1t was lady, she visited the grounds Il
few weeks before her death, and selected
a lot and was buried in the midst of u
group Of large pine trees, in accordance
with her wish. Near the summit of the
grounds is handsome Gothic Chapel
and contiguous to it "among the tombs'
is dwelling occupied by family, the
watchman or ovcrseer Of the grounds.
In a prominent location stands the
family vault, or Mausolem of Mr.. l.. A
Cooley, the well known publi-her of the
"Lady's Book" it is of pure italian mar.
BILE and built in the form of small chapel
within which are the receptacles for the
bodies to be hermetically sealed in the
catacombs or recesses. The simple in
scription Cooley above the doorway is
the only designation Of the tomb, which
i, surmounted by magnificent balus
trade A short distance from this tomb
is figure of little girl, of perhaps six
or eight summers, in knceing posture
on base; nicely draped, the little hands
clasped, the eyes raisel heavenward. l
have been told ii was chiselled in Italy
by an American lady. If so, whoever
she is, or was, is deserving a wreath OF
honor in this life. if not crown of i'm
mortal glory in tho next, for producing
such an angel-like piece of sculpture
For contemplative mind to look at that
little figured Innocent, it can only inspire
a feeling on melancholy pleasure, especi,
ally if they have ever parted with such ar
one here. to 10 trausplanted in the upper
skies.
The military and naval heroes are well
represented hero, The rem aims of Major
General Hugh Mercer of Revolutionary
fame. were removed from Christ Church
in second street and inferred here ir
November l840. a .grapd naval anc
civil procession was one Of the priucipa
incidsn.s Of the transfer, A mOauuen
:, a.. glSs'. ssAi ~. s.,.ss tgsNsssal
IN