, 1874-04-04

serenely and securely roat in the belief that It
dooa not exist. e"
CREMATION.
i Revolutions in thought often tako place with
/ tho abruptness Of revolutions In politics. 4
long chain Of antecedent CAUSES growing up un-
noticed slowly gather force till, upon tho pro-
mitigation Of somo now idoa, it is found that tho
aeAse OFT community has been growing up In
unison with 1t, and tho degroo Of persuasion aud
OF positive argument necessary to insure it's ac-
ceptance haa often boon ovorrated by thoHe who,
after mature reflection, present their idoas for
approval. Such has been tho caso with the pro-
posal for tue burning OF the dead which has re-
Gently been advocated by Sir Horny Thompson,
Professor Of Clinical Surgery In University COL
logo, London. 4 oarofully"guarded but forcible
argument has been followed by reply to tho
criticisms passed. upon tho first article, and an
exposition OF the process given, which was at
frat omitted from the fear Of Weighing the Hub-
Jeet too heavily, whereby An unfavorable recep-
tion Of this somowhat startling proposition Was
to bo fearod.
The question has already reached that point
IN England whore immediate action acoms
necessary. Twenty-Five years ago, IN Act Of
Parliament CAUSED searching investigation into
tho atate Of tue burial grounds In London and
some Of tho provincial towns. The most dis
gusting and startling revelations were made COZ
corning their stato, In consequence Of which In
tramural interment VAS prohibited, vaults wore
Theoretically soalod, and burials allowed only In
places far removed from oitioB. But the dift1oul-
ty waB merely banishod for period. It ia
only question Of time whom Kensal Green and
Norwood Cemeteries Of tho metropolis) will
reach this samo .state md thoir condition
become dangerous. The urgont necessity
of preventing tho pollution Of tho soil,
water, aud air, by graveyards, is unquestioued.
As far back as 184o, Dr.. Lyon Playfair estimated
that from tho $4,000 annual intermonts (now
roaohing 8o,uoo) Of London, 2,5oo,o cubic foot
Of gasos were emitted and regarding the
amount Of this absorbed by tho earth grave d.
lusion has boon entertained. Tho gases evolved
burst leadon 'cofans, pormeate the surrounding
soil. and escape into sewers passing near grayo-
yards, and tho prevalence Of cholcra in thotr vi
oinfty is q fact we'll marked. Even tie rural
districts wero not exempt. The condition Of
graveyards was often abomlnable and revolving
Regarding the practical operation, tho oxp ori-
ments Of Sir Henry Thompson-porformod thus
far on the lower animals-aro az follows; In q
powerful reyerborating furnace cylindrical ycs-
sol sovon foot long by ak in diameter was heated
to temperature Of z, 600 Fahrenheit. Into this
polished cylinder, already at a whito heat body
weighing opt pounds was introduced. During
the first few moments gases wero given off
abundantly, but, by paaslng through heated
chamber Of are-broks laid lattice-fashion thoy
wore rapidly oxidizod, and neither smoke nor rus
escaped from chimney OF tho ordinary height.
In the course OF an hour tho PROCESS waa COM
plote, and the aBhes-a refined sublimate without
taste or smell, In weight about five pounds
Wero removed. AS. an indication Of tho
process in tho human subject, tho following Is
suggested by slr Horny Thompson: "When
death occurs: and the necessary certificate haa
been giVon, the body iB placed in light wood
sholl, then In a sutablo outside receptacle ro-
paratory to removal for religious rites or other
wiso. Aftor proper timo has elapsed, It is con-
veyed to tho spot whore cremation is to DO por-
formed. Thore, nothing noel bo aoon by tho
lust attendant than the placing Of tho shell
within small compartment, and the closing o +
tho door upon 1t. It slides down into the hoatod
chamber, and is loft thoro an hour, till the nee
ossary changes have taken place. Tic ashes
are thon placed ut the disposal Of tho attond-
ants."
The necessity OF adopting other means OF dis
posing OF tho dead than by burial would soem to
bio abundantly shown. Tho practical solution
OF tho mechanical difioultios We may oonaider to
DO attained. There remain tho bearings upon
tho question OF tho eathotio BenHa to DO dis
cuBaed.
Whatever bo tho religious faith or conviction
Of people; whatever orood may guide their
lives and animate their hopes Of tho future,
whether death seom to them but q " transition
to tic life olysan," or the stoio doctrine Of an.
nihilatlon hold them with strange and relent-
less fascination, any distinction botwoop burial
az ChrtHtau, and cremation as Pagan,
r,to Is uuoalled for and unfounded,
Expecting opposition from the general public,
from those Interested In ceromonials, and from
the clorgy, Biz Henry Thompson flnda TINT from
persons In all ranks aud stationH In lito aud from
tho pre8s, has como favorable ASSURANCE; and
olergymen havo shown how easily tho burial aor-
vice can be rendered applicable to cremation. Aa
unaffeoting any religious convictions and CON-
patibe with religious ritoH, and AZ enabling them
to be conducted In suitable buildings with
= greater ease and safety to mournera and