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prevent the escape of all the noxious gases arising from the process of decomposition.
I recently visited one of these pits, and found that the smell
proceeding from it was of the most offensive kind. I should mention that there
had been at this time a recent addition to the contents of the pit, and a man
was then engaged in placing some lime over the coffins. The pit was
situated close to a wall which forms one side of a narrow inhabited street.
The parish authorities of Holborn have promised to take measures to prevent
the escape of the effluvia ; but it is much to be desired that the ground should
be at once entirely closed, as is the case with all other old burial grounds in this
parish, except in a few cases for private graves.
I have also visited the St. Pancras Cemetery, situated at Finchley. It is fifty
acres in extent. The soil is for the most part loamy clay, but in some parts
sandy and gravelly; it appears to be thoroughly drained, and generally well
adapted for the purpose of interment. The regulations issued by the
Secretary of State for the Home Department, as to tho method of conducting
interments in the new burial ground are not exactly complied with in
reference to those who are buried at the expense of the parish. The eleventh
regulation, that "no more than one body shall be buried in any grave,
except in a grave purchased for the exclusive use of a family," is not
observed. At the present time the practice of burying several in a grave may
not appear to be objectionable ; but it is right to think of the future when very
probably the cemetery will be closely surrounded with inhabited dwellings, and
when the ground will be nearly or quite full. And if this practice is allowed
now, it is to be feared that in times of epidemic disease crowding will be vastly
augmented.
Planting the ground with suitable herbage and shrubs is very much to be
recommended for the sake of the public health, to say nothing of ornament.
Vegetation absorbs the noxious gases arising from decomposition, and transforms
them into objects of beauty and sources of health.
It would be very beneficial if the old burial grounds in the parish, where the
soil is saturated with the products of decomposition, were thus treated. It has
been supposed that some of the old burial grounds will be employed for building
purposes. This is a scheme that would be attended with the utmost danger,
and could certainly not be allowed for very many years to come, if at all.
I remain, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
THOMAS HILLIER.