Scotland, as there are no privies, either public or private, for the common people, the churchyard is the place of common resort. That we may not be accused of exaggeration, we shall refer to the burying-ground of the established church in Stranraer, as it was in 1841. A more hideous spectacle of the kind we never saw; but it is doubtless in a better state now, because the Earl of Stair, with his accustomed liberality and public spirit, has since presented the town with a piece of ground for a general cemetery; and is about to erect another structure for public convenience equally necessary. Bad as the churchyards are in England, they are much worse in Scotland; for there the extra-professional pursuits of the clergy are more frequently directed to farming than to matters of taste.

The charnel-house, or bone-house, needs only to be mentioned to excite disapprobation; for, if churchyards were properly managed, no fragment of a coffin or human bone would ever be disinterred or seen by the living. There are two modes of effectually attaining this object: the first is by never placing more than one coffin in a grave; or, if more are placed in it, either interring them at the same time, or placing the first coffin so deep as to admit of a stratum of 6 ft. in thickness between it and the second coffin; the lastdeposited coffin, in either case, being not less than 6 ft. under the surface of the ground and the second mode is by placing on the last-deposited coffin a guard, or following stone, as already suggested in p. 98.

Allowing public passages to be made through churchyards is a common source of desecration; but, as these passages are generally conducive to the convenience of the living, they cannot be dispensed with; therefore, to prevent desecration, they ought to be fenced off on each side.

No kind of games ought ever to be allowed in churchyards, nor dogs admitted if possible, nor smoking, nor in short any thing that would indicate a want of reverence for the dead.

By far the greatest desecration which takes place in churchyards results from their crowded state, in consequence of which a grave cannot be dug without disinterring coffins and bones. There is no remedy for this evil but the enlargement of churchyards, which is required in every part of the country, and should be effected from time to time, according to some principle or rule derived from the population returns, and the average annual burials.

Want of Trees and Shrubs. We have often stated it as our opinion, that country churchyards might be greatly increased in interest, by being carefully and systematically laid out, and moderately planted with proper kinds of trees and shrubs. These being named would create a great interest in them, and the whole of the ground being very neatly kept would diffuse a taste for order and neatness among the parishioners. This improvement is beginning to take place in various parts of England, though but rarely in Scotland, where flowers are considered light and gaudy, and where the great object to be attained is to subject the mind to the bondage of fear, by continually reminding the spectator that "he also must die*, and that death is only the

*

“From whence you come, or whosoe'er you be,

Remember, mortal man, that thou must dee."

Lines on the Sundial in the Garden at Brougham Castle.

"Alas! the little day of life

Is shorter than a span,

Yet black with many hidden ills

To miserable man."

Lines on a common Tombstone in Kirkmichael

Churchyard, Wigtonshire,

one of the most gloomy scenes of the kind in the West of Scotland: it contains "the corpse of Gilbert McAdam, who was shot by the Laird of Cullean and Ballochmill, for his adherence to the word of the Lord, and the work of Reformation, in July, 1682."

door to everlasting life." (Gard. Mag., 1842, p. 617.) Far be it from us to dispute the justness of this taste, relative to those who hold particular opinions; for our own part we prefer the decorated churchyard, but we would no more decorate it in the manner of a flower-garden, than we would dress a mourner in the same manner as a bride or a bridegroom.

We shall show at the end of this article the mode in which we think trees and shrubs ought to be introduced in new churchyards, and for those already long occupied we shall give a few general directions.

Suppose a walk to be formed immediately within the boundary, leaving a border, regular or irregular in width, as the state of the graves and grave stones may admit, then a few trees may be scattered along each side of it, singly, so as to form a running foreground to the interior of the churchyard, and to break the formality of the boundary fence. As the walk may be supposed to be very irregular in direction and in width, the distance between the trees should be irregular also; and occasionally two trees, or a tree and a shrub, or a tree and a honeysuckle or other climber, may be planted in one hole. In the interior of the compartments, where the ground is already so completely filled up that there is no chance of any other graves being formed, a few trees and shrubs may be so placed as to group with some of the more conspicuous of the gravestones, and along the cross green paths one or two trees may be planted at the angles or turns of the walk, by way of accounting for these turns. But, whether in planting in the interior or along the green paths, care must be taken to preserve lengthened glades or vistas to be seen from the main gravel walks. These vistas should not extend from one boundary wall to the other, so as to show everywhere the length and breadth of the ground, but should rather terminate in an apparent mass of trees or bushes, or in a view of the church, so as to leave abundant exercise for the imagination. Along the boundary fence, if a wall, which is generally the case, we would plant creepers, evergreen and deciduous, but chiefly the different kinds of ivy, as being evergreen, and Virginian creeper, Rhús radicans, &c., which, like the ivy, adhere to the wall, and consequently require little care. Where the expense of training was not an object, we would introduce roses, magnolias, laurustinus, Cydònia japónica, Chimonanthus fràgrans, and various other shrubs, deciduous and evergreen, adapted for walls. Where the fence was a thorn hedge, we would measure it into regular spaces, so as to train up shoots from the top of the hedge at regular distances, in order to form artificial heads, round or square, at such places; or we would train up a single stem, and graft on each a different kind of thorn, or other rosaceous tree or shrub. On a holly hedge we would graft variegated hollies, and on a yew hedge the golden yew, which makes such a splendid appearance grafted on the common yew at Elvaston Castle. If we had to plant a holly hedge or a yew hedge round a churchyard, we would form piers or pilasters at regular distances in both, which should be carried up higher than the hedge, and terminate in balls. The piers, in the one case, should be variegated hollies, and in the other variegated yews. If we had to plant a hawthorn hedge, we would form the piers of green holly.

Where a churchyard, though long in use, was not yet filled up, we should take care to plant no trees and shrubs, the permanent effect of which was essential, in situations where they would have to be removed when a grave was dug. We should place them chiefly along the walks, at such distances as to leave room for one or two graves between every two trees.

In few or no cases would we plant large-growing deciduous timber trees in churchyards, such as the oak, ash, elm, beech, white or black Italian poplar, Huntingdon willow, alder, sycamore, &c.; because, from the size they attain, they would interfere with the effect of the church and of the monuments. We should confine ourselves to low-growing trees, and, where only a few could be planted, to evergreens of fastigiate forms.

Want of Monuments.-Monuments form a great source of beauty and interest in churchyards, and it is gratifying to observe, in the neighbourhood of the

metropolis and of other large towns, that as they increase in number they are improving in taste. Every encouragement, we think, ought to be given to their introduction in village churchyards, on account of the effect which they cannot fail to have on the taste of the inhabitants, and more particularly on all those connected with the building arts, such as carpenters, masons, bricklayers, &c. It seems unfortunate that the revenues of the clergy are made to depend partly on the permission granted to put up monuments, and thus a man is taxed for his reverential feeling, and for erecting an instructive and beautiful object, which he would, probably, have rendered more beautiful still by the amount of fees paid to the clergyman.* A better mode would be to encourage the erection of monuments, by giving the ground as a present on condition of the monument being proportionately handsome. We would encourage every kind of monument, from the most frail to the most permanent, as tending to cultivate reverential feelings and improve the taste; and we would encourage the naming of all the trees and shrubs, as tending to excite curiosity and intellectual exercise.

The churchyard at St. Michael's, at Dumfries, is perhaps the most remarkable in Britain, on account of the number and good taste of its tombstones. The appearance of these at a distance is singularly grand and picturesque. Erecting tombstones at Dumfries is quite a

mania among the middle classes, which has been brought about chiefly by the cheap and easily wrought red freestone, and the talents of the late mason and sculptor, Mr. Alexander Crombie. The cheapness of these tombstones, compared with the price of similar erections about London, is so great, that we are persuaded they might form a profitable article of commerce for the metropolitan cemeteries. To enable those concerned to judge how far this may be the case, we give, through the kindness of Walter Newall, Esq., architect, Dumfries, figures from the designs of two monuments, not long since erected at the heads of the graves of two nurserymen, Messrs. Hood, father and son; that of the father (fig. 104.) cost 38/., and that of the son, William (fig. 105.), 251. The carriage to London, by Whitehaven, we are informed, would not amount to 51. for each of these monuments. (Gard. Mag. for 1831, p. 529.)

in

Dumfries Churchyard.

in

The improvement of the church is chiefly the business of the architect; but the gardener Fig. 104. Monument to Mr. Hood, sen., may in various cases cooperate with him, or even supersede his exertions. It is desirable in all cases that a church, like every other large building, should stand on a level terrace or platform; but, as most old churches are buried or earthed up by graves in such a manner as that the ground is higher without than it is within the church, this platform

The fees for permission to erect the simplest and cheapest of all stone memorials placed by graves, a head and foot stone, vary in the London churchyards from 21. 2s. to 6l. 6s.; for permission to place a flat stone over a grave, from 41. 4s. to 127. 12s.; and the price for more ambitious monuments varies from 51. 5s. to 105/. For the right to erect "stones and vaults" in the Hackney churchyard, though it was greatly enlarged some years ago, from three to forty guineas have been paid. (Claims of the Clergy, p. 25.)-See An Examination of Mr. Mackinnon's Bill, p. 117.; Cauch's Funeral Guide; and Health of Towns, &c.

or terrace can seldom or never be formed, without incurring a degree of deseeration that would be unjustifiable. Still, in a majority of cases, a space round the walls of the church might be

cleared away to the width of 2 or 3 feet, and of such a depth as to be at least 6 in. below the level of the floor of the church. This space ought to be carried completely round the church on a perfect level, or with merely a very gentle inclination from the middle of the building to each end, for the purpose of carrying off surface water. Under this space there should be a tile-drain within a few inches of the surface to carry off rain water, or a deep drain if the subsoil requires it. The ground round this narrow level platform should either be supported by brickwork or sloped down with turf, according as the graves are nearer or more distant; and both the width of the platform and the angle of the slope may be irregular, if circumstances should require it. The grand essential object is to get a level base for the walls to rise from, the surface of which shall be 6 in. lower than the surface of the floor of the church. The walk to the church door will require to descend to this platform by an inclined plane, and there will of course be one step of ascent to the porch of the church.

L

It is unnecessary to state that the walls and roof of the church should be kept in good repair, and that in many cases ivy and the Virginian creeper might be planted against it; but we cannot recommend roses and other plants requiring dug soil at the roots, on account of the injury they would do to the platform, and the expense that would be incurred in training. It is always much better not to attempt to do more than can be done well.

Perhaps it would greatly facilitate the improvement of churchyards, the erection of handsome monuments, and the economy of burial to the poor, if the fees of the clergymen from the church and churchyard were commuted for a fixed sum to be raised annually by a general rate on the parish; but this is a part of the subject not within our province.

Laying out and planting a new Churchyard. - Churchyards, like every other description of yard or garden, ought to be laid out, planted, and managed, with reference to their use; and the scenery produced should, in its expression and general effect, indicate what that use is, or, at all events, be in accordance with it. A churchyard ought not to be laid out so as to be mistaken for a pleasure-ground, a shrubbery, or a flower-garden; neither, on the other hand, ought it to be left in a state of utter neglect, without regular walks, and overgrown with weeds and rank grass. The uses of the churchyard are, as a place of burial, as an enclosure and protection to the church, as a place sacred to the memory of the dead, as a place of weekly meeting for solemn purposes, and as an approach to the church. All its uses are of a serious and important nature, and it is therefore to be considered as a grave and solemn scene. Now, the question to be solved in laying out a churchyard is, what trees, what treatment of the surface of the ground, the grass, walks, graves, gravestones, and tombs, will be most conducive to solemnity of effect. The expression of the exterior of the church is grave and solemn, by its long-established association with our religious feelings; and it therefore

may be considered as having a similar influence on the scenery around. The feeling of solemnity is one more of a passive, than of an active, nature: it neither needs much cultivation, nor much exercise of the imagination. Strong contrasts are not required to excite this feeling, nor varied and intricate scenery to prolong it. On the contrary, this will be more decidedly the effect of sameness of form and colour, and their repetition. The solemnity of a churchyard has its origin in the uses of the place, and will only be interfered with or weakened by the introduction of such objects as interfere with these uses. Simplicity, therefore, ought to be a governing principle in every thing relating to churchyards; and, as the appearance of neglect or slovenliness always implies want of respect, order and neatness are next in importance. By order, we mean the avoiding of every thing like confusion in the placing of the graves, tombs, and gravestones, and the disposition of the trees: and, by neatness, we allude more particularly to keeping the turf short and smooth; the walks firm, even, and free from weeds; the gravestones upright; and the tombs in a state of repair.

The character of a churchyard, as a place of burial, will always be more or less influenced by the character and manners of the people to whom it belongs. In Britain, churchyards have much less care bestowed upon them than in Central Germany, and in some parts of France, Belgium, and Holland. The sentiment of respect to the memory of deceased persons in these countries is shown by planting flowers over the graves, and frequently cultivating them there for some years afterwards. Among the Moravians, on the Continent, the churchyard is sometimes laid out in compartments, with walks between, like a garden; and the compartments are kept dug, and planted with flowers and ornamental plants. Two powerful arguments are advanced in favour of this practice: the first is, that a churchyard so managed costs less than if it were in turf, and kept short by mowing; the second, that the surface of the ground has always the same appearance, there being no gravestones or tombs, and the ground being left level, and replanted with the plants which stood on it before, after every interment; these having been carefully taken up, and placed on one side, before the grave was dug. It is evident that this mode of treating a churchyard, however consonant it may be to the ideas of those who adopt it, is not in accordance with our desiderata. It does not indicate its use, as it has neither raised graves, tombs, gravestones, nor any other appearance of its being a place of burial; and it is not calculated to excite solemn emotions, as it has all the gaiety of a flower-garden.

In Britain, respect for the dead is not generally shown by the introduction of flowers over their graves; but the practice prevails in some places throughout the country, more especially in Wales, and is not unfrequent in the metropolitan and other cemeteries. Perhaps it ought to be commended and encouraged, as rendering burial-grounds inviting as places to walk in, and as the frequent recollection of deceased friends has a tendency to sober the mind and cultivate the affections of the living. In every part of Germany where the inhabitants are in the habit of cultivating flowers on the graves of their friends, or even of visiting these graves annually on a certain day and decorating them, the inhabitants are a reflective, and very humane and amiable, people; for example, at Munich. The introduction of flowers in churchyards, therefore, where they are planted over the graves by the relations of the deceased, is a very different thing from their introduction in the margins of plantations of trees and shrubs, in imitation of shrubberies, as is done in some of our public cemeteries; to the utter neglect, as we think, of appropriate character and expression.* Bearing in mind, therefore, the three

* Hanover Chapel, Brighton, has a burying-ground which is quite unique. A straight avenue of elm trees leads from the entrance gate to the door of the chapel; and on each side of the gravel walk, which runs down the centre of the avenue, is a narrow margin of smooth highly kept grass. Next there is