HERBERT SPENCER'S TOMB.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 269, 6 August 1908, Page 8

HERBERT SPENCER'S TOMB.

INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE. "Tho dread of dying which most people feel is unwarranted," wrote Herbert Spencer in his essay entitled "The Closing Hours," and further expressed his belief that "in its last stages consciousness is occupied by a not displeasurable sense of' rest." "There certainly was no 'dread of dying' about Herbert Spencer,'', writes Julius Gabo in the "Daily Chronicle." "On the contrary, as will be seen from the following letters and extracts, hitherto unpublished, ho made his plans and preparations with, tho greatest deliberation and care for detail— with.even here and there a touch of .pawky humour—such as might precedo a contemplated voyago round the ,world.

"Tho plain granite' sarcophagus on the southern slope of Highgate Hill, not far from the graves of his friends George Eliot and G; H, Lewes, but surrounded by some rather glaring monumental monstrosities, bears testimony to Spencer's quiet taste. It is by the courtesy of -Messrs. Millward and Co., masons to'the'Highgate Cemetery Company, that I am enabled to give some details or Herbert Spencer's correspondence on the subject of his tomb. ; .

"On September 8, 1899—some four years and three months before his, death—Spencer opened negotiations with the monumental masons by writing, from 5 Percival Terrace, Brighton (whence the "entire; correspondence is .dated)j as follows:— '"'Mr. Herbert Sneiicer'incloses drawings of sarcophagus and would -like' an estimate at.Messrs. Millward and .Co.'s earliest convenience. ; Ho'thinks: it'right to say:that he will bo asking another-firm also'for one.' Four days later he . acknowledged receipt of their estimate, and promised to forward 'the dimensions of the cinerary chestfor tho reception of : which the recess in-- the central block is intended:'" On September 14, 1899, he sent a type-written 1 letter, which runs: — • -v. ; . -

•" 'Dear Sirs,—Subject to;thfe'.terms of this letter I accept tho estimate'yoii sent me the other /day for a granite sarcophagus : to be Elaced'on the grave spaco purchased by me in [ighgate Cemetery, and numbered 33,292. Tho amount jrou name : is-seventy-fo'ur pounds, which is. to. include rubbing ••the' itop. of. the stone 4 landing and'chamfering'its-edges;'and: the- material to .be used: ; is . grey Aberdeen granite (Rubislaw), highly where seen. Tho design and, dimensions are generally to.be as shown-011 the drawing sent you; but tho recess for the reception of tho cinerary. chest is to be 20in, 'in length, 12in.' in breadth, and 12in. in " depth; instead of the dimensions already given j'tho'.space-to be exr cavated being consequently-slightly less. In order to mako, sure that tlie _thing will.be carried out. according to -.my, 'wishes I should like to see your worldng drawings as soon as you have got them out. When you send .them please return the drawing I sent you. It is, 'of course, understood .that. the centre block is to be solid—not boxed; and that consequently tho sarcophagus will oonsist of three solid, pieces—base,, centre, top. . Lest ■there should, bo any mistake, let. me say that each of the four panels is'to .bo sunk threequarters of an inch in the' centre block, and is ,to bo surrounded by a_plain bevel, as shown in section on tho drawingthe.surface of the bevel being at ,an angle..of 45 degrees with tho surface of tho panel: ' .... • 4 . : " ' HERBERT SPENCER.'

"The sarcophagus was' made, .placed in Highgate Cemetery, inspected-, bySpencer, arid'then stored till his'death.'.' .-,