The second of a series of lectures delivered at the Mechanics' Institution, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, Jan. 22, 1847, on the actual condition of the metropolitan grave-yards / by Geo. Alfd. Walker.

Date:
1847
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The second of a series of lectures delivered at the Mechanics' Institution, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, Jan. 22, 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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    tub SECOND OF A SERIES OF LECTURES DELIVERED AT THE MECHANICS’ INSTITUTION, SOUTHAMPTON BUILDINGS, CHANCERY LANE, JAN. 22, 1847, ON THE ACTUAL CONDITION OF THE METROPOLITAN GRAVE-YARDS. By GEO. ALFD. WALKER, Esq., Surgeon. No burying-places should be tolerated within cities or towns, much less in or about churches and chapels. This custom is excessively injurious to the inhabitants, and especially to those who frequent public worship in such chapels and churches. God, decency, and health fotbid this shocking abomina- tion.” * * * From long observation I can attest that churches and chapels situated in grave-yards, and those especially within whose walls the dead are interred, are perfectly unwholesome; and many, by attending such places, are shortening their passage to the house appointed for the living. What increases the iniquity of this abominable and deadly work is, that the burying-grounds attached to many churches and chapels are made a source of private gain. The whole of this preposterous conduct is as indecorous and unhealthy as it is profane. Ever}' man should know that the gas which is disengaged from putrid flesh, and particularly from a human body, is not only unfriendly to, but destructive of, animal life. Superstition first introduced a practice which self-interest and covetousness continue to maintain.”—Dr. Adam Clarke’s Commentary on Luke vii. v. 12-15. (Printed by order of the Metropolitan Society for the Abolition of Burials in Towns.) LONDON: LONGMAN, BROWN, GREEN, AND LONGMANS, PATERNOSTER ROW; HIGHLEY, 32, FLEET S1REET; AND ALL BOOKSELLERS. 1847