The weekly echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1868-1876, 1876-03-23
cRElrarIoN ~ ETALE.


cremation Of the body Of Signor Keller
notice Of which has already been given
by cable. The ceremony appears to have
attracted much attention, and a great
number Of persons were invited TO be
present Among those whe attended
were Representatives Of the municipality
Of Milan, Of the provincial and cOmmu.
nal sanitary councils, Of the learned
and scientific professions, together with
many distinguished members Of Milanese
society, and Professors Polli and Cleri-
cett, the inventors Of the system Of ere
nation employed.
The crcmatory chapel" which has
been built in the public cemetery out Of
funds left by SignOr Keller for the pur-
pose, is about fifty feet in depth, with
frontage Of about forty feet in the dOric
style Of architecture, and, being raised
about three feet above the level of the
cemetery, is approached by steps In
shape il consists Of two distinct but con-
nected parts. The first and main part,
which is a perfect square, is supported at
each angle by pierced pilasters, between
which, at the back and front of the
building, stand two columns. The
second portion is divided into two semi
circular parts, each Of which Is supported
By six columns. In the center is placed
the urn for cremation. Behind the
chapel rises a boundary wall in such a
way as 10 conceal the apparatus for man.
ufacturing gas, and in connection with
this is a tower about thirty feet high,
which hides q chimney so arranged as to
carry of the smoke of the gas apparatus,
and, by means of pipes connected with
the urn, the gases given off by the body
IN process of cremation. Over the prin-
cipal front of the chapel in the inscrip-
ton: Temple for cremation, erected |
at the wish Of Alberto Keller, and given |
by his heirs 20 the commune of Milan"
To this chapel, on the 22d of January
the first anniversary of his death-were
brought the remains of Signor Alberto
Keller, In compliance with his will,
for cremation. The coffin, having been
opened at one end, was placed near the
urn, above which a fame was playing,
and then by some unseen continuance
the body was conveyed inside the urn
and submitted 10 the action Of the fire.
Signor PeU, the Protestant minister,
clothed in a black cloak and cap, pro-
nounced discourse, commencing the
example set by signor Keller, and cor
tending that neither in religion nor good
feeling was there anything opposed to
the practice Of cremation. lie was fo,-
lowed by three other spcakers-PrOf
Clericetti, who expanded his system,
and Prot, Poletti, of the University of
Padua, and DR., PM, who spoke of ere
maticn rs a step in advance in the path
Of humanity, and as a practice sanctioned
by civilized people, international con
gresses aud political and scientific
writers
Meanwhile by looking through an
aperture in the urn the persons present
could zee the body IN process of crema-
ton. II was upon a kind Of gridiron,
surrounded by flames given Off from 2l7
jects Of gas; beneath was placed a recep-
tacle 10 catch the ashes rs they fell. To
a person looking on nothing was visible
Of tae process but the bright flame
which burned steadily over the urn and
a dense column Of smoke which escaped
from the tower. The ceremony lasted
about an hour and half, at the end of
which time the urn was opened and the
body was found completely Calcined.
During cremation no offensive smell was :
A second body that Of signor Pozzi-
i awaiting cremation NJ Milan, but the J
municipal authorities have determined
nos 10 give their consent 10 the proceed. \
ng till tlieysare satisfied a. 10 the result
Il the experiment made upon the body
4 signor Keller.
/
ImE GHEAT HusaARIAN.--'rho death I
1 Francis Deak, the eminent Hungarian !
statesman, wa not certRinly unexpected; d
,ut i leaves vast vacancy, and ellis I
he hcarts Of a whole people with pro. I
ound sorrow. He was one Of the first 4
md most Jealous u che band u Hun. Y