The first [-fourth] of a series of lectures delivered at the Mechanics' Institution, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, Nov. 27, 1846 [-August 13, 1847], on the actual condition of the metropolitan grave-yards.

  • Walker, George Alfred, 1807-1884.
Date:
1849
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The first [-fourth] of a series of lectures delivered at the Mechanics' Institution, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, Nov. 27, 1846 [-August 13, 1847], on the actual condition of the metropolitan grave-yards. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    6/126 (page 8)
    daily among our poorer brethren, whose poverty, and whose avocations, too frequently compel their residence in localities where the evil is most promi¬ nent, where, in a word, the burying-places, public and private, are most numerous and most dangerously overcharged. During many years I have employed every legitimate means for the purpose of effecting this great moral and sanitary reformation ; and this, my first effort in another direction, has been cheerfully entered upon at the request of the Committee of this Institution, in humble but full confidence that at the conclusion of these Lectures sympathies newly awakened, and judgments more fully in¬ formed, may result in such an expression of opinion as shall convince — unmistakably convince—all but the unduly prejudiced or the deeply interested that the confidence of a too generous public may neither be systematically abused, nor insulted with impunity. To that ultimate arbitrator, public opinion, I now therefore confidently and trustingly appeal. I have the most complete conviction that the voice of the people will be put forth in its might, and that ere long the complete abolition of a system that afflicts while it disgusts — that weighs down the energies of the strong, imperils the life of the weak, and lowers the standard of vitality in the aggregate population exposed to its influence—will be demanded of the Imperial Legislature. After considerable reflection, I have thought that the observations con¬ tained in this Lecture would be more practical, and therefore more valuable, if they brought under your notice the actual condition of our grave-yards, rather than instituted a comparison between the ancient and modern modes of burial. The comparison Avould be more curious than useful, and I believe our time can be much better bestowed in dealing with things as they are in the nineteenth century, in the most magnificent city of the world, than in entering upon a disquisition which might lead us astray from our present purpose. It is quite certain that any attempt to draw a parallel between the ancient heathen and the modern Christian in this respect would be infinitely to the disgrace and dishonour of the latter. With your per¬ mission, therefore, I will at once proceed to bring before you a chain of irrefrag¬ able evidence which will, I believe, demonstrate the existence of a state of things in some instances so dreadful and so disgusting as to defy comparison with any other social evil at present afflicting the community. I shall endeavour to be as concise as possible ; but, believing as I do that the extent of the moral and sani¬ tary evils resulting from the practice of intra-mural burial is even yet little known, and therefore not sufficiently appreciated, I must request your patient attention to a somewhat detailed statement of facts, because I believe a simple recital will influence your judgment better than laboured comments. I should fail in the execution of a duty owing to the public and my¬ self if, from a sense of delicacy, I hesitated to connect my previous labours in this cause with the testimony of the great majority of the witnesses