The fourth of a series of lectures delivered at the Mechanics' Institution, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, August 13, 1847, on the actual condition of the metropolitan grave-yards / by Geo. Alfd. Walker.

Date:
1847
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The fourth of a series of lectures delivered at the Mechanics' Institution, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, August 13, 1847, on the actual condition of the metropolitan grave-yards / by Geo. Alfd. Walker. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    Society for the Abolition of Burials in Towns, with the full and confi- dent expectation that the end which they propose to accomplish must ere long be obtained, solicit your assistance and co-operation ; for, if indiscriminate mutilation and disturbance of previous deposits, and consequent desecration of the last resting- places of those who have preceded us are still to be permitted; if the ashes of our fellow-countrymen are entitled to, or obtain too frequently, under the present order of things, no respect; if the ties of relationship and affection, and the best feelings of the heart, are to be outraged by a trading sexton, or a brutal grave-digger ; if a system has too long been, and continues to this hour, in operation, which most unequivocally tends to brutalize, to unchristianize, the officials who execute the disgusting work, and the crowds of people exposed to such scenes; if our very beautiful burial-service has been too often disgraced by the acts perpetrated pre- viously or subsequently to its performance,—it is more than time that such an evil were crushed, and for ever! It degrades religion, brings its ministers into con- tempt, tends to lower the standard of morality, and is a fold blot upon our boasted civilization. At a very numerous and respectable Meeting held in the Great Room at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, Strand, on Wednesday the 15f/i of September (BENJAMIN BOND CABBELL, Esq., M.P., F.R.S., in the Chair), the following Resolutions we] e unanimously adopted :— 1. Moved by Mr. G. A. Walker—That the burial of the dead in the midst of the living has, in many instances, led to the systematic violation of the feelings of our common humanity ; and that this custom has originated and maintained prac- tices which have brought dishonour and disgrace on the national character, de- graded religion, corrupted public morals, and inflicted incalculable injui'y on the public health.—Seconded %Mr. Charles Shaw. 2. Moved by Sir C. Alois—That the evils resulting from intra-mural inter- ments have increased to an alarming extent; and that a rigid and immediate supervision of burial-places is imperatively demanded ; and that the petition now read be adopted; and that the Chairman of this meeting, B. B. Cabbell, Esq., be respectfully requested to present it to the House of Commons, and to support the prayer thereof.—Seconded by Mr. Stevens. 3. Moved by Mr. G. Ross—That the disinterested exertions, the sacrifice of time and money, and the overwhelming evidence brought to bear on society by G. A. Walker, Esq., (who has for years stood almost alone in his labours on this subject) entitle him and the National Society for the Abolition of Burials in Towns to our sincerest respect and gratitude, and we pledge our- selves to render them our unbounded support, until the pestilential and disgusting system of burying the dead in the midst of the living shall be abolished—Seconded by Mr. Richard Taylor. 4. Moved by Mr. J. Rogers—That, for the purposes of carrying out the objects of the Petition, and of obtaining full and legislative support, a fund be im- mediately raised by subscriptions and donations, which will be received by the Honorary Secretary, Mr. Charles James Thicke, 17, New Bridge Street; by any Member of the Committee; and by the following Bankers:—Messrs. CouTTS & Co., Strand ; Messrs. Masterman, Peters, Mildred, & Co., 35, Nicholas Lane; Messrs. Spooner, Attwood, & Co., Gracechurch Street; and the Commercial Bank, Lothbury.—Secomhid bijM-a.. Joseph George. A List of Donations and Subscriptions ivill shortly be announced. Printed by T, Ritson, 7, Raquet Court, Fleet Street