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34
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The place is now in a fearfully-neglected condition : the vegetation
is rank and luxuriant, and the trees are large. The wall separating
the ground from " Collins's place " is in a very dilapidated condition,
and boys easily obtain access. In many cases the iron railings have
been stolen and the monuments dismantled and smashed. The ground
is littered with refuse, and serves as a clandestine playing-field for the
youth of the neighbourhood, and a happy hunting-ground for their
fowls to scratch in.
PEEL GROVE BURIAL GROUND.
This was opened under the title of the "North East London and
Cambridge Heath Cemetery." Its original area was seven-and-a-half
acres.
The Moravian Brethren are the ground landlords or freeholders.
Yery old inhabitants recollect it as a brickfield. About 43 years ago
a lease was procured by a Mr. Kelday, who drained the ground, which
was little better than a swamp, and made a cemetery of it. After a
time he endeavoured to get it consecrated, but as interments had
already taken place when the application was made, the Bishop
declined to perform the ceremony : it was therefore never consecrated.
The land was never held by any trustees, but was and is simply the
private property of an individual, and used by him as a commercial
speculation.
I print below a copy of a handbill, issued by the owner as an
advertisement. It has about as much truth in its composition as many
other more modern productions issued by pushing tradesmen, and
further on I will relate how its promises have been carried out.
THE NORTH EAST LONDON CEMETERY,
On the North Side of Bethnal Green, near Cambridge Heath, Hackney.
This FREEHOLD CEMETERY, which ia securely dedicated FOR
EVER to the purpose of sepulture, has obtained a much larger amount of
public favour than any other cemetery, as nearly one thousand interments
have taken place within it during the short period (little more than two years),
that has elapsed since the opening, and very many family graves have been
purchased in perpetuity.
Being most convenient of access by the Turnpike roads from Shoreditch
Church and Mile End Gate to Hackney, and also by the road through Church
street from Shoreditch to Bethnal Green, and combining all the advantages of
an open and airy situation with contiguity to town, whereby the inconvenience
and expense of a long journey are avoided, it has peculiar claims upon the public
attention.