Notae ferales : a few words on the modern system of interment, its evils and their remedy / by Charon.

  • Charon.
Date:
1851
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Notae ferales : a few words on the modern system of interment, its evils and their remedy / by Charon. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    sible of the unpleasant nature of our position. We acknowledge our inconsistency, and can say little in extenuation. Yet, considering the importance of the subject, and the many evils arising from foolish pre- judices, long continued custom, and imperfect appre- hension,— it is surprising that so little should have been written on this matter. And, as the subject ought to be, and, we believe, is, one of general in- terest, we are not without hope that the following remarks, made with a serious desire of mitigating a great evil, and inducing a more rational view of the Practice of Interment than is generally entertained— may be of some use in bringing about a better state of things. This is the object we have in view. It matters nat who we are. One thing is certain : that no one %vill suppose the writer of these strictures to be an undertaker. Ours is only a voice from the crowd. Nil refert tales versus qua voce legantur. Without further apology then, we shall proceed to speak of the modern Practice of Interments, and, in so doing, we desire to be guided by reason and common sense, and can assure the reader that we consider Reverence for the Dead to be one of the holiest of human feelings, and that the object of these few words is to increase that reverence, which, we are solemnly convinced the present practice is calculated greatly to diminish. First then; The Ejcpense of the modern Practice is an acknowledged €vil of great magnitude. The complaint of this is universal. Yet the evil continues : increases rather than diminishes. One class of persons alone attempts to defend it. Only among the undertakers can any