The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1876-03-10
italian Crenationists.


accounts of the cremation of the body OF
Signor Keller. The ceremony appears to
have attracted much attention, and a great
number of persons were invited to be pres
ent. Among those who attended were rep
resentatives of the municipality of Milan,
of the provincial and communal sanitary
councils, of the learned and scientific pro-
fessions, together with many distinguished
members of Milanese society, and Profes-
sors Polli and Clericetti, the inventors of
the system of cremation employed. The
"crematory chapel" which has been built
in the public cemetery out of funds left by
Signor Keller for that purpose: is about
fifty feet, with frontage Of about forty, in
the Doric style of architecture, and, being
raised about three feet above the level OF
the cemetery, is approached by steps. In
shape it consists of two distinct but con-
nected parts. The first and main part,
| which is a perfect square, is supported at
each end by pierced pilasters between
which, at the back and front Of the build
4 lIS, SLdkta tWO COluuluS. AhO 0VSoho PoA-
tion is divided into semi circular parts, each
of which is supported by six columns. In the
center is placed the urn for cremation.
Behind the chapel rises boundary wall
| in such way as to conceal an apparatr
for manufacturing gas; and in connect on
| with this is tower about thirty feet high,
| which hides chimney SO arranged as 90
carry off the smoke of the gas apparatus
and, by means of pipes, connected with
the urn, the gases given off by the
body in the process Of cremation. Over
the principal front of the chapel is the in
script.on: "Temple for cremation, erected
at the wish of Alberto Keller, and given by
his heirs to the commune of Milan" To
this chapel on the 22d ult-the first anni-
versary of his death-wcIe brought the re-
mains of Signor Alberto Keller, in compli-
ance with his will, for cremation. The co..
fin, having been opened at one end, was
placed near the uin, above which flame
was playing, and then by some unseen con-
trivance the body was conveyed inside the
urn and submitted to the ,tion of the fire.
Signor Pera, the Protestant minister,
clothed in black cloak and black cap, pro-
nounced discourse in French, commend
ing the example set by Signor Keller, and
conten ling that neither in religion nor in
good feeling was there anything opposed TO
the practice of cremation. He was follow
ed by three other Professor Cler-
icetti, who expour 1ed his system, and Pro-
fessor Poletti, of the University Of Padua,
and DR.. PM, who spoke of cremation rs a
step in advance in the path of humanity,
and as practice sanctioned by civilized
people, International congresses, and polit-
ical and scientific writers. Meanwhile, by
looking through an aperture in the urn,
the persons present could see the body in
process of cremation. It rested upon a
kind of gridiren, surrounded by flames
given off from 2l7 jets of gas; benea,il was
placed receptacle to catch the ashes as
they fell. To pes merely looking on
nothing was visible of the process but the
bright flame which burned steadily over
the urn, ard ,nse column OF smoke
which escaped from the tower. The C le-
mony lasted about an hour and half, at
the end of which time the urn was opened
and the body was found completely cal
cined. During cremation no offensive
smell was perceived. It's, however, hoped
that the system will be shortly improved,
SO as to produce more complete inc'nera-
ton. A second body that of Signora
Pozzi-js awaiting cremation at Milan, but
the municipal authorities have determined
not to give their consent to the proceeding
till they are satisfied as to the result of the
experiment made upon the body of Signor
Keller. Meantime, society for the pro
motion of cremation has been established
in Milan, and the Ultramontane Csse,Da-
tore Cattosico is doing all it can to get up a
society to oppose it.