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81
D. Burial-Grounds.
In my last year's Report, I had occasion to represent
to your Honourable Court the evils of
intramural sepulture. I testified to that large accumulation
of human remains, by which, in numerous
parts of the City, the soil of burial-grounds has
been raised many feet above its original level; and
I advised you of the injury which must accrue to
health, from the constant organic decomposition
thus suffered to proceed in the midst of our crowded
population. I likewise invited your attention to the
still greater evil of burial in vaults; I explained
and endeavoured to remove the misconception which
commonly prevails, as to the preservation of bodies
under those circumstances; and I showed you how
unfailingly, sooner or later after such burial, the
products of putrefaction make their way from within
the coffin (whatever may have been its construction)
and diffuse themselves offensively and
injuriously through the air. I concluded by expressing
to you my strong conviction of the necessity,
that some comprehensive measure should be
undertaken, for abolishing, at once and for ever, all
burial within the City of London.
During the session of Parliament that has intervened
between that Report and my present one,
an event has occurred, which promises to remove