The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-04

sarcophagus is the most common
and doubtless the most ancient.
It is simplicity itself and serves
the double purpose Of utility and
ornament. The word "sarcopha-
gus" Is derived from the two
words, "sarkos." meaning flesh, =
and "phagein, /" meaning ito con.
sumo or destroy"
We learn from Theophrastus
and Pliny that the name oriRi-
mated with the use OF Assius STONE
for coffins; because Of the caustic
properties OF this stone. 4 BODY
placed within it is consumed
within a short time. However the
word "sarcophagus,' was later
used to describe all receptacles
designed to hold the remains AZ
the dead.
OLDEST SARCOPHAGI.
The Oldest known sarcophaRi
are those Of thes ancient Egyp-
tians, and the finest of these.
that Of Seti. an Egyptian ruler
who reigned from 1900 B. G. to
1926 3. c. In the Basilica of Saint
Lorenzo. outside the walls IL
Rome. there stands another very
ancient sarcophagus.
= + 5l4
OF all the famous sarcophagi 81
antiquity. the one Of Alexander the
Great is the most remarkable.
This masterpiece is one of q mum.
Der Of beautiful sarcophagi dis
covered at Sidon. Another ex-
ample Of Greek art il found in
the sarcophagus known as the
"Mourners."
This sarcophagus is doubtless
an expression of the grief OF the
Athenians over the death of one
Of the kings Of Sidon, who was a
friend OF Athens. The date il
about 900 B. C.
More modern times have also
contributed some beautiful ex-
amples Of mausoleums and sar-
chophagi. Notable among them
can be mentioned the sarcophagus
of Queen Victoria in Westminster
Abbey, the sarcophagus Of Ma
poleon, in Paris, the tomb of
Washington at Mt. Vernon. and
the memorial mausoleum to Cen
eral Grant.
In fact, the mausoleum and ear-
chophagus are fast assuming their
proper place in the disposal OF
the remains OF the dead. The
burial places of all civilized coun-
tries are now dotted with stately,
dignified and commodious mauso-
leums, which serve the twofold
purpose of acting as resting places
for the dead, and giving beauti-
full expression to the living: for
within mausoleum the atmos-
phere is not that Of grief ana
death, but of hope and life ever
lasting.
Because Of their cost, people Of
moderate means have up to with
in recent years found themselves
unable to avail Of the beauty and
dignity of the mausoleum. This
obstacle has been eliminated by the
erection of community mausoleums
in our larger cities. The first of
these structures in this country
was built at Akeley, Ohio, a num-
Der of years ago, but now are to be
found in nearly all parts Of the
United States.
COMMUNITY MAUSOLEUM.
A granite edifice Of this nature il
to. be erected upon the hills ada
cent to and overlooking the ma
tional cemetery at Arlington. The
plans call for a nnausoleum to con-
tain approximately ono thousand
crypts, and several private or me
mortal rooms. In addition to the
fact that the method Of construc-
ton will practically insure q build
ing that will endure forever, an
endowment fund will guarantee its
perpetuity.
At Lincoln Day" banquet held
at the City Club Of Washington, a
gathering of local business men
sponsored a movement to acquire
space in the center Of the chapel
which is a part of this mausoleum,
and to arrange for the erection
therein Of q double sarchophagus,
to be the resting place Of the NOR
tai remains of two veterans of the
civil war-one q soldier Of the
North the other a son Of Dixie,
In creating this memorial to the
honor and glory of ehe heroes of
their day, the people of Washing
ton city have fathered a movement
that will evidence the true spirit of
our nation. 1--WE are ever prepared
to chance all for these when 10
iaVAW