TOMBSTONES.

Evening Star, Issue 3179, 29 April 1873, Page 2

TOMBSTONES.

To the Editor.

Sir,— Some of the most painful feelings it has been my lot to experience were felt in American burying-grounds, while as a visiting stranger I examined the tombstones, which had attached to them photographs or paintings of tho’e in whose memory they were erected. In America, the burying, ground on a Sunday afternoon is the favorite resort of the youth of both sexes; and at such times the remarks indulged in are extremely painful to hear. The “ lovely child, gleefully playing in the nursery room,” is considered to resemble Smith more than Brown, its reputed father. The ‘‘ middle-aged merchant with steel-colored hair, sitting at his office-desk,” is the old buffer that cut down young America’s screw. The “ maiden iu her bridal array,” was half wool and sawdust. The “aged woman, in her sedate drab,” looked.as if ishe bad a ssason ticket for funerals. The “ warrior on horseback or on foot,” looked more like an B. than an F. ; while the “preacher’s white necktie” only suggested the idea of perpetual turning for the death of ynn.ng child. :u. . Such are some of the mildest comments that have been heard,, and that would be heard in our own : burial-places, if it became the custom or tho fashion to majfo op picture-galleries, To my mind. MriEdvtor. : each »f the graves thus adorned oannbt fail to awaken in the mind of the visiting stranger the liveliest feelings of disgust; in fact, become* a most impressive and eloquent sermon on the ruling passion, strong m death.—l am, &c. H. L Dunedin, April 29.