The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-09
Queer Burial Places.

The most extraordinary Of all burial
reouests was that Of the celebrated Jer-
envy Bentham The great philanthropist
and exponent Of the doctrine of utilitar-
ianism. dying I'm 1892, left directions that
his body should be dissecied and that
the skeleton should be put together anu
after being clothed in his old Vestments,
should be seated in a sort Of glass house
on wheels The first part OF the pro
pramme was performed by his falthiul
disciple. DIR. SouthwOod Smith. VINO, IN
endeavoring 10 preserve the mead de-
nrived the face of all expression. Seeing
this would not do for exhibition purposes
Or Smith had a model made in wax by
a distinguished French artist, who sue
ceeded in producing most admirable
likeness. The skeleton was then stuffed
out 10 tit Bentham's own clothes and the
wax likeness fitted TO the trunk. The
figure was placed seated on the chalr IN
which he usually sat, with one hahd
holding the walking stick which was his
constant companion in life. called by him
dixie a dog "Dapple." The whole was
inclosed in a mahogany case with glass
front, covered by folding doors, and pre-
scented TO the University college, where
II can be seen in the south gallery Of the
college museum.
The strange request OF Anthony Et-
tericke. who was a prominet lawyer and
once recorder Of Poole, is noteworthy.
Having some cause Of offence against the
people OF Wimborne, England. in which
town he lived. he declared that he was
TO be buried in a cOnsecrated spot but
not above or below the ground, not in
the church nor out Of It. To make GER
tain that this was done he got permis-
sion 10 build coffin into the wall OF
Ia Na..NF I'm
the church and half out. half above the
ground and half below it. To do this a
special arch had to be made, and for the
repair of this arch and the coffin ANTHONY
Ettericke gave 10 the church a sum OF
% shfilings from a farm To bury him
the wall Of the church level with the
pavement was opened and the body de-
posited i'm the coffin as described. II Is
of slate and Is emblazOned with many
coats Of arms. There are two dates on
it-l6gl and l703-One over the other so
as TO render both almost unreliable. lie
was fully convinced that he should die In
1891 and had his coffin made and that
date placed upon 1t. But he did not die
till 1903 and 50 the second dale was cut
over the first.
An art gallery seems n queer place In
which to bury bodies and probably few
Of the inhabitants OF Dulwich are aware
that Dulwich college picture gallery con-
tains three bodies-the bodies Of the
three people TO whom that collection OF
pictures owes its existence. Noll Joseph
Desenfans was a native of Douai. in
France. but settled in London. first as
teacher Of languages. lie became pos
sessed of a valuable picture by Claude
which he sold to George III. for 1000
guineas. and so became a picture dealer
Then Stanislaus. king Of Poland, com
missioned him TO purchase pictures 10
form a national gallery for Poland. and
in this work Desenfans was helped by
his friend. Sir Francis Bourgeois. r. A.
When the Polish king was overthrown
the collection Of pictures came back 10
Desenfans. who on his death left his
10 Bourgeois. who decided to hand them
over to Dulwich college.