Statistics of grave-yards in Scotland / by John Webster.

  • Webster, John.
Date:
[1855?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Statistics of grave-yards in Scotland / by John Webster. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    13/24 (page 13)
    Like Dundee, Arbroath, and Brechin, the old burying-ground of Montrose is situated in the centre of the town, close to its prin¬ cipal street, and, being much crowded, is most objectionable, be¬ sides being injurious to public health. However, interments have for some time past been very properly discontinued, and burials now only take place in other cemeteries. Many of the grave¬ stones in these localities indicated the ages of persons interred as varying from 70 to 80, although numbers on the other hand were much younger. From 80 to 85 appeared not infrequent. Several in the old churchyard ranged between the latter age and 90; but of this only one monument was observed. It deserves special mention. This monument had been erected by a venerable family named Booth, to commemorate the father who died at 90, and a son at 84 ; the mother being 89 at death. Its inscription stated that one of the former had acted as superintendent of the Mont¬ rose lunatic asylum upwards of 40 years ; so that, in many respects, this mortuary memento deserves notice by modern “Mortalitys” searching for examples of long lives in the same households. Judging from the facts specified, Montrose is not entitled to a very high position in the longevity scale, nor does it occupy an inferior place amongst manufacturing and marine popula¬ tions, both of which features, speaking generally, this town ex¬ hibits. Nevertheless, some very old people have been met with amongst residents, as for instance, the venerable mother of a friend of mine, and an M.P., who lately died here at the age of 96. On the north and south elevated ground which rises upwards from the two rivers Esk, examples of long-lived people have rather frequently occurred; a recent illustration being afforded in a gentleman who many years resided on the southern elevation, who had entered his 97th year at death. The immediate vicinity of Montrose may therefore be considered salubrious. 6. Aberdeen. The university city of Aberdeen contains about 74,000 inhabitants. This granite northern metropolis, as it is often designated, occupies a situation moderately elevated, but sloping in some places towards the river Dee, where large docks have been constructed. Like Montrose, the ocean washes on the eastern side, whilst another river, the Don, bounds old Aberdeen on the north; but no tidal lagune here sends forth, from its western boundary, malarious exhalations. Many of the ancient streets are narrow, with confined tortuous alleys and courts adjoin¬ ing ; but the chief thoroughfares and squares are wide, and possess free ventilation. Being both a seaport and manufacturing dis¬ trict, several influences inimical to salubrity prevail in this locality; still, as the city has a dry granitic foundation, an abundant supply of excellent water, with other local advantages, its climate, in spite of frequent cold and stormy weather, may be reckoned on the whole as healthy, unless for very young people, and those posses¬ sing feeble corporeal frames. When perambulating Aberdeen, especially during one Sunday,