Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-02-01
CARNATIONS IN AMERICA.
Rapidly Coming Into Practice In Thi
Country and Europe.

Rapidly Coming Into Practice In This
Country and Europe.
The practice Of cremation steadily con-
times to gain ground in the eastern as
well as the western continent Already
it is common in Italy France, Spain and
the majority of the smaller foreign coun
tries as well as the larger A dozen or
50 crematories haze been opened within
the last year, and at least double that
number are in process Of construction.
In some European countries, Italy, for
instance, there is scarcely city without
one of these societies. When a society is
once formed, il is only matter of time
before a crensatory is built.
This seems wonderful to those who
realize how deep rooted was the prejudice
against the system, and how radical was
the change hat the idea Of cremation in
volved. Yet, despite its inauspicioUs be-
ginning, the strong sentiment against It
and The many, obstacles in its path, the
reform has already obtained a strong
footing in this country and in the old
world
When the New York Crematory society
was organized in 1881, there only were
four crematorieS in existence, one at
Washington, Pa, and three in Europe.
In different parts Of Europe today there
are over twenty-five crenatories. London,
Paris, Copenhagen, Florence, Venice,
Dresden, Brussels, Rome and many other
smaller towns all boast of their crema-
tories. Another country in which the
form finds favor is Germany. During the
last year over p, 600 signatures appeared
on a petition laid before the reichstag.
Public interest has long been awakened
in France and England. There is about
to be erected in France handsome and
commodious crematory, and an eminent
physician in his lecture estimates that it
will be able to consume a oIt 0)0 bodies
annually. This is about the average num-
Der of deaths in the hospitals of Paris
during the year. The bill which provides
for the cremation of the dead has already
passed the chamber of deputies and is now
before the senate, and there is no doubt
but what it will become law.
The movement has not gained much
beadway in England, on account of par
liamentary opposition, strong religious or
rather superstitious objections and the
unfortunate incarceration of Lady Dixie.
A more favorable change has taken place
lately, and the leaders of the reform, like
SIR Henry Thompson and several other
well known Englishmen, who are strong
and enthusiastic supporters of cremation,
think that it is only matter OF time
when the reform will generally be adopted
Many people in this country who strongly
object to cremation are surprised to see the
headway the practice has gained here
They did not think it would be adopted
on account Of our having ample room for
burying grounds and cemeteries.
AT the present time there are about
twenty societies in the United States, and
all of them have put their principle into
practice, and have erected large and spa
ciOus crematories. Besides that at Fresh
Pond there are institutions at Pittsburg,
Washington, Pa; Buffalo, Cincinnati,
Detroit and Lancaster. Others are being
erected at Davenport Ia; Philadelphia,
Baltimore and San Antonio. The Fresh
Pond institution was opened for the public
about two years ago In that time there
have been cremated over $50 bodies, and
there are about dozen applications on
hand at the present time.-Nsw York
Press.