New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-23

CREMATION FASHIONABLE IN ENGLAND.
Cremation Is becoming more and more the fash
fon among the aristocracy of England. and column
barins are taking the places Of the Old fashloAed
inausoleums. ancestral vaults and family fomps.
An extraordinary number Of British peers in late
wears have left dying peremptory directions Tor
the incneration OF their remains. and only in two
instances have these instructions been dlsobeyed'
namely. in the cases OF the late Duke OF Argyll
and Of the late Marquis of Butte. the Scottish
courts in each case holding that testamentary com
mands OF this character were not binding upon
their successors and executors
Lady Dixie who died the other day, was likewise
crenated in accordance with her OWL wishes, ana
those Of her husband. Sir, Charles Dixie. the wei
known statesman. But it is unknown as yet "Ii''
disposition he Will make OF her ashes.
Those of the late Lord Monson Gather OF 'he
present peer of that name. who is married TO the
daughter OF General Roy Stone. [, S. A are pre-
served the columbarium. which his elder brother
and predecessor. Lord Oxenbridge. caused TO be
constructed. Immediately adjoining the family
rnausoeum at Carlton.
The columbarium Is Of carved ornamental stone.
bearing the Monson heraldic devices. 1t is some
thing in the shape Of a pigeon house. there being
tiers Of inches like pigeon holes. one above a.
other destined 10 receive the silver urns or jars
containing the ashes Of the Monsons now living
and yet unborn. Each niche. on receiving its
urn Of ashes is Theoretically sealed with pane OF
thick glass. while brass plate Immediately below
denotes the name, the title and the other custom
ary data concerning the person whose ashes occupy
the receptacle In spite Of the ornate character OF
this columbarium. and OF Others OF the same KIND
Il does not inspire the feelings Of solemnity "a
which old fashioned toTnbs apt to give rise.
The testamentary directions of the late Lord
Butte for the cremation of his remains excited no
end Of establishment since II is difficult 10 realize
how so erudite peer, and deeply Versed in
the doctrines Of the Roman Catholic Church, of
which he was most devout follower, could have
IGNORED ghat his Church strictly prohibits
cremation, and even goes 10 the length of denying
The customary funeral rites in where It is in
sisted upon. Lord Bute's family ana executors, af-
obtaining from the courts release from the
testamentary obligation crem4tt his remains.
endoavored 10 compromise with his wishes without
offending the Catholic Church. and so filed the
coffin containing his remains with quicklime, AS
the nearest canonioal short cut TO the fuilment
OF his Instructions.
II is only since 1856 that cremation has been for
hidden b. The Roman Catholic Church. and among
the principal reasons which prompted Leo XIII TO
prohibit fl the fact that incneration had
been adopted by the att lsts OF Continental Eu-
rope d a feature of their funeral rites. for the
special purpose Of giving public expression to their
disbelief in the doctrine OF tie resurrection ana OF
the life hereafter. The late Pope also took the
ground that the orduaI form Of interment has
been. 10 speak coHSoCrated by usage ever since
The foundation OF the Christian faith that # has
been accepted from time immemoral as forming
part and parcel Of the .slgious ceremonies Of the
latter. and that the old fashioned form Of Chris
'ian burial may be said 20 have become one of the
solemn features Of tne rites OF the Church. a
consolation alike 10 the diving and the bereaved.
The only case in which Incarceration IS allowed
BY the Catholic Church IS where. owing 10 an
infectious malady, the destruction Of the body Is
rendered polite I may that there are a
number Of Protestant denominations. including the
Lutheran state churches OF Denmark Sweden
Prussia and Wdrtemberg. which economically pro-
hibt cremation. while the Episcopal Church OF
America and in England contents itself with a
species OF mild disapproyai