Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-30
cisms Of the great bruiser's actine will be
few and far between. for certain reasons OF
regard for one's physical comfort that will
appear Of once.
Raw. Or. A. s. settelheim.

In the death OF Rev. DR.. A. 8. BErTEL-
urrx our Jewish fellow-citizens lose "a
prince In Israel" He was learned man
and always student. He some years ago
wrote for the Dispdtch an explanation or
history of the origin Of the saying clean
liness is next to goodness" which satisfied
even the New York Journal Of Commerce,
and which that paper has since repeatedly
quoted in its answers to correspondents.
Anxious 10 perfect himself in the English
language, DIR. BETHLEHEM, whilst he re-
sided in this city, consulted men who had
not half his information on the subject OF
niceties in our vernacular tongue. On
one occasion he was told that 1t was some
times necessary 10 repeat words in order
TO make the meaning clear and that no
repetition could be condemned which 1t
was necessary to use in order to bring out
the full meaning of sentence, end MS
friend quoted as fine instance OF repeti-
ton the phrase from Revelations The
voice Of harpers harping with their harps.
He Immediately took up his Bible and in a
moment quoted passage in the Hebrew
language where there were such repeti-
tions, three or more together.
What sad fate for one so tenderly loved
and admired. To be buried at sea! The
average mind shrinks from the contempla-
ton of such an earthly ending. Hard, prac-
teal thinkers may reason logically upon
this practice, just as the advocates OK
cremation do. But there is feeling in
separable from our customs and born OF
commendablo respect for the dead that IS
shocked by the commission OF loved
ones remains to the fathomless depths OF
the sea. In the wonderful progress OF this
age it is truly surprising that such
q primitive and almost barbarous
custom, which was only sanctioned
by the necessity growing out OF the
early and incomplete modes OF navigation,
should be countenanced by civilized ma
tons. With floating palaces filled with all
the luxuries known to the world, and
making the run across the Atlantic In from
six to ten days, there Is no excuse Tor con-
signing TO the deep those remains held In
reverence by loved ones. 1t is cruelty to
DENY TO these the poor boon OF visiting
their graves and placing thereon In memo
rvs love chaplet of flowers. 1t may be
urged that to keep dead body on the
high seas is costly and impracticable. The
art of embalming has been reduced to such
a simple process that it may be more readi-
ly learned than the arts possessed by
many in a ships company who
are employed at moderate wages on
all the great transatlantic lines. Bands
are employed to discourse sweet music,
and As rule these musicians who have
labored in perfecting themselves In their
art must possess other requisites than
musical Accomplishment. They have to
fill various other posts on shipboard. Why
not then require steward or other SUBJ
officer to know the art of embalmingG
MANY carcasses of beet are preserved IN a
frozen condition throughout the journey.
Yet that precious freight, the human re-
mains. must be sacrificed. A reformation
is needed and should be demanded in this
respect. and the steamship company
which makes provisions for keeping the
remains Of those who are so unfortunate
as to depart this life on board their ships
should be especially worthy Of public
patronage.