Burial-ground incendiarism. The last fire at the bone-house in the Spa-Fields Golgotha, or, the minute anatomy of grave-digging in London / [George Alfred Walker].

  • Walker, George Alfred, 1807-1884.
Date:
1846
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Burial-ground incendiarism. The last fire at the bone-house in the Spa-Fields Golgotha, or, the minute anatomy of grave-digging in London / [George Alfred Walker]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    BURIAL-GROUND INCENDIARISM. THE LAST FIRE AT THE BONE-HOUSE IN THE SPA-FIELDS GOLGOTHA, OR, THE MINUTE ANATOMY OF GRAVE=DIGGING IN LONDON. BY GEO. ALFD. WALKER, SURGEON, AUTHOR OF ‘“ GATHERINGS FROM GRAVE-YARDS,”’ ‘‘THE GRAVE-YARDS OF LONDON,”’ ‘SINTERMENT AND DISINTERMENT,” &c. &c. OPINIONS OF THE LONDON AND PROVINCIAL PRESS. G. A. WALKER, Hsq., of London, has published (through Longman and Co.) another pamphlet, entitled, ‘‘ Burial Ground Incendiarism: The Last Fire at the Bone-House in the Spa-Fields Golgotha, or the Minute Anatomy of Grave- digging in London.” In this work the industrious and enthusiastic author still further exposes the pestilential practices of city grave-yards, ‘many of which places are, in fact, what his little history demonstrates them to be— most scandalous, most disgraceful receptacles for the dead—centres whence radiate, in every direction, gaseous, invisible compounds, to poison the living.”’ We have repeatedly called attention to this subject, and more than once in connection with the crowded church-yard in our own parish. A correspondent, too, who has often taken it up in our columns, has made it the subject of a letter received last week, and inserted in our present number—to which we direct the attention of our readers.—Gateshead Observer, April 25, 1846. Mr. Walker has recently published another of his plain blunt statements of facts bearing on the subject; such a statement as fastens on to the neck of an evil, and, sooner or later, inevitably pulls it down. It relates to the abominable proceedings in the Spa-Fields burying-ground, in the exposure of which our readers will remember we took active part. Mr. Walker’s motive for interference in the matter, as stated in the preface, gives a reason why all should exert themselves to abate a practice which is injurious in the highest degree. He says such grounds are centres whence poisons radiate in every direction. . ‘ . Some of the details contained in the pamphlet. are horrifying, and must have a powerful effect.—Builder, April 18, 1846. The excitement occasioned by the exposure of the abominations carried on in the Spa-Fields burial-ground, some time since, and the philanthropic ex- ertions of Mr. Mackinnon to put a stop to interments in populous towns, have had the effect of directing public attention to the nuisance; but the work of Mr. Walker displays such revolting circumstances, and so forcibly denounces the pestilential practice, that Government must interfere,—abate the nui- sance—and pay due honour to the indefatigable, but disagreeable labours which Mr. Walker has nobly undertaken pro bono publico.—Alliance, April 18, 1846.