The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1874-05-09
Philadelphia Letter.
PHILArELPHiA, May 2, 1874


This ancient practice has been recent.
ly revived, and, like every new idea, il
is rapidly recruiting many adherents
In our own country, societies are In
process oftormatlon, and gas ovens are
constructed to promote the perfect
burning of the dead. Some persons
believe that the prayer-b0ok alludes ia
cremation, and thus sanctions it, in the
words of the burial service: "Ashes to
ashes, dust to dust" Phis certainly
has remarkably appearance in the
present excitement.
The widest reports are now put In
circulation, and 1t has been asserted that
some persons In this city have been
burned. or course, this is untrue, for
the law prohibits such a procedure.
III cremation should become uniyer-
sal, what an impressive arrangement
could be made of the urns or lars in
which are collected the cinerated re-
mains of the departed. For instance,
we might inform our sympathizing
friends that the ashes of Julia Maria,
aged 13, are deposited in the third pickle
jar OH the right Of the shelf, and dear
little Tommy reposes on the extreme
verge Of the mantel. We need not now
bury our dead out of our sight, but we
can always carry them with us. If a
man cannot earn his living In this
world, he may be able TO urn his dead.
Cremation is spreading and the under
takers are indignant and alarmed at the
prospect of losing their trade. We will
Noon have an exciting time over the
subject.
THE DELAWARE.
the Indiana, on her last voyage from
Liverpool was struck by heavy sea off
the banks Of Newfoundland, and the
Captain and the Quartermaster made a
narrow escape from being washed over
board. The Captain Is still suffering
from the effects of the injuries received.
The steamer Mediator, of Lorillard's ;
New York and Boston line, caught fire
ON Wednesday night, while lying at the
company's wharf, and before the flames
could be checked the vessel and cargo
were partially destroyed. The vessel
was insured, but the cargo was not. and
Involves loss of 200, 900.
THE sCHUYLKILL.
The coal oil trade on this river Il
rapidly increasing. and at present the
largest ship, except the Cathedral, that
ever came to Philadelphia, is now load.
ing with coal oil at Chestnut street
wharf ON the Schuylkill. Some four
years ago, the Iathedre! was shipped to
New York, and the water at that port
not being deep enough, she was brought
10 the Delaware, and unloaded at this
port. Last week million and half
gallons Of coal oil were exported, aud
The Schuylkill looks like cOmmerce with
the many ships that are now anchored
at the WharYes.
The South street bridge is expected
to be flushed in July. One of the piers
was placed in the channel, and thus
1t oOstrutied the course of vessels, as
well as being contrary tOthe laws OF the
United States. This difficulty is now
belug Obviated by blasting the rocks
that are near the place and In this way
forming q deep channel. When this
bridge Is completed, 1t will form the
avenue of trayel from the southern part
ot the city to tile Park, and il may be
The means ol more tapidly reaaOving the
AlnishOuse from its present location 10
Some place ''out OF town"