CREMATION.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 161, 10 December 1874, Page 3

CREMATION.

The following refers to an item which recently appeared In our English telegrams : " Apropos of cremation, the Pa 11 Mall Gazette states that there was an extraordinary scene at West Hartlepool rm September Bth. Mr Edward Turnbull, solicitor, one of the town improvement commissioners, had given notice of a motion in favor of cremation, as it was proposed to purchase land for enlarging the present cemetery. Before the commissioners assembled 200 women, mostly belonging to the working classes, <orced their way into the room, and fully expressed their opposition to cremation. When Mr Turnbull arrived he was booted, aud there were cries of ' Burn him,' ' Stick him in a tarbarrel,' ' Give us Christian burial.' When the proceedings opened Mrs Peart handed in a petition, which purported to come from the mothers in West Hartlepool, protesting against cremation as ' revolting to the ideas of modern civilisation,' and calling upon the commissioners to 'scout with indignation so monstrous a proposition.' The reading of this petition was loudly applauded ; and then Mrs ClaTkson, a respectably-dressed womau, asked Mr Turnbull to withdraw his motion, saying she was certain he would not be able to carry it ; and that if he did, it would result in a bitter feeling throughout the town. The chairman assured the people that they need not be alarmed, as even if the motion were carried—which was most unlikely—the commisioners had no power to 'cremate.' He begged the 'deputation' to withdraw, and assured them that their petition should have every attention. The crowd then slowly withdrew, with renewed cries of'Burn Turnbull,'Let him taste it first'; 'Put him in a furnace,' &c. Mr Turnbull afterwards brought forward his motion, but as no one seconded it, it fell to the ground. During the time the meeting was held the crowd outside increased to about 2000 ; and upon Mr Turnbull leaving the Athenanim he was received with tremendous uproar, and followed to hia office."