Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-28
Herbert spencer's Body cremated.

Herbert Spencer was cremated yesterday at
the newly-opened crematorium at Colder $
Green. The ceremony was entirely appro-
pirate to the end Of philosopher His in
innate friends who were present accepted
the inevitable separation In the spirit of
those {the words of Mr. Leonard Courtney.
who pronounced the funeral oration), who
regarded their departed friend as one who
had gone to pierce the unrelenting and i'm
penetrable mystery There was, therefore.
q total absence of that emotionalism which
is often the painful accompaniment Of such
occasions. There was sob, not even a
deep-drawn sigh. no falling tear. nothing
but the simple farewell uttered by Mr..
Courtney at the end of his address to show
that the link of life had been irretrievably
broken. Everything was done so quietly
and simply that in the little group. oddly
assorted and clothed in the varied garb of
every day. there was no note Of mourning
nothing but soothing melancholy and
philosophfc calm.
Cremation should at least have the effect
OF abolishing the Snowy and expensive fu-
neral. Herbert SpencerS BODY was encased
In plain wooden shell of polished pine in
whichit was delivered to the fierce flames of
the furnace, the heat fumes of which came
In waves over the assembled group of
mourners. The chamber was an oblong ca
pable of holding about two hundred people,
its wall Of plain red brick, its floor Of vefned
marble In the middle of the main wall
stood portico of marble built like the en-
trance TO a temple, ana from TINS there pro-
jected slab upon which the coffin lay COW
cred with a purple cloth while Mr.. Courtney
was speaking. When he ceased the doors
of the portico opened The coffin. drawn by
an unseen force. giided out of sight, and
the ceremony was over The influence of
Spencer's teaching was shown by the cos
mopolitan character of the gathering. Most
European nations were represented. while
an Indian gentleman. after Mr.. Courtney
had finished, offered a thousand pounds to
OXFORD n
scholarship. English democracy was rep
resented by a postman, who stood with his
letter bag slung over his shoulder, but
whether he was there by accident or design
no one could say. for either his modesty or
sense of duty called him away before the
ceremony was over.
Cremation is gaining Roadway In Eng
land. several of the bishops of the Church
OF England warmly favoring 1t not only on
sanitary grounds but also because the:- re-
gard that method Of disposing of the dead
DIS most reverent and becoming and In ac-
cord with Christian belief II the bishops
can be regarded In this matter as authort-
tative opponents Of the doctrine and prac-
tice Of the Church of England there Is q
marked divergence between England and
Rome, for the latter has condemned crema-
ton In no measured terms. The late pope
spoke OF the practice as detestab BILE abuse
against which all pastors should warn their
dock3.
Increase In City Frontage Property.
Schools OF old foundation which still hold
property within the city area are in a for
tunate position. because city frontages are
worth almost their weight In gold. Char
terhouse. we'll known to Americans. had
many broad acres In that very vaiuaibls
district behind Smithfleld. and In their Anx-
iefy to get away from the dirt and un-
healthfulness Of London. disposed Of them
to Merchant Tayiors' for one-third of the
nl,ra 1<~lva 40 ~
ernors OF Christ's Hospital are wiser In
their generation. They are one Of the Last
old schools to leave London for the coun-
tsy. Westminster alone remains, constant