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].

  • George Alfred Walker
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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    This is a very important addition to the author’s work on grave-yards. . . , Mr. Walker’s pamphlet contains many new facts strikingly illustrative of the evils flowing from the barbarous practice of intra-mural sepulture—evils which, thanks to the author and his patriotic coadjutors, are now felt to be so intolerable as to command abatement. In reference to this question, ignorance and self-interested- | ness may continue to be blind and deaf; but we shall be content-to abide by the verdict of all honest and unprejudiced men who shall read Mr. Walker’s pamphlet. To such we commend it.—British and Foreign Medical Review, April, 1843. If ever there was a man who desérved the good wishes of his fellows—if ever there was an undaunted spirit fighting alone against prejudice and error, with a perseverance and patience inexhaustible—it is Mr. Walker, the author of this bro- chure. Mr. W. is well known as the author of a very clever and extraordinary book, called ‘‘ Gatherings from Grave-Yards ;’’ and another equally remarkable for its contents, entitled, ‘* The Grave-Yards of London,”’ in both of which he has laboured to show that interment in towns and confined places is injurious in every way to the health of the inhabitants. Not content with bringing forward so many very remarkable statements—which cannot but excite a feeling of horror and dis- gust that such things should exist—Mr. Walker goes ‘‘ once more to the breach,” | —-petitions Parliament and obtains a Committee to inquire into the matter, the evidence before which fully substantiates all that has been previously asserted, and a great deal more. Mr. Walker has been indefatigable in gathering evidence to maintain his views, and in the present pamphlet has carried them out, and brought forward still more convincing statements, if such were necessary, to show the evil tendency of burying in citiesandtowns. . . . Noreason to doubt is left to exist of the soundness of Mr. Walker’s assertions.—Liverpool Standard, Feb. 21, 1843 To this zealous and enthusiastic gentleman is largely owing the improved public opinion which now exists on the subject of the burial of the dead in populous towns. We have ourselves frequently brought that subject before the public; and we shall, in future numbers, avail ourselves of Mr. Walker’s pamphlet, to reiterate the arguments which we have so often advanced against the present barbarous and injurious practice.— Gateshead Observer, Feb. 11, 1843. Oh! that there were but one assailable point in the mailed coat with which the public sense enshrouds itself, it would not be necessary to urge these things upon its attention. Such letters as those of Mr. Walker would not have had to have been written—such disclosures as the evidence given before the Parliamentary Committee, would not have been to be extracted. But it is done; and glad should we be to transfer to our pages very largely from Mr. Walker’s writings on the subject. Any thing we can say is feeble compared with the facts he adduces, and the superior knowledge he brings to bear upon the subject—the whole London and most of the provincial press have borne evidence to the opinion of his merit and ability; and we can only point to the work itself, and beg that an eye be thrown over its pages; this will be sufficient, for the crowded matter-of-fact is so placed, and so prominent in startling figures and appalling incidents, as to defy the turning away without an attentive reading; and if read, a conclusion being come to, to raise the voice loudly and instantly against the system it denounces.—The Builder, April, 1843.
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