|
The Preston Guardian
Saturday August 2 1856
Grave-Stones
To the editor of The Preston Chronicle
Sir, -It appears that there is some mystery in Lancaster as to the designs of grave-stones; but there are on many funeral cards designs, both plain and elegant, which, if adopted by the carvers of grave-stones, would be very ornamental to the cemetery. I should recommend them to be painted white, with black letters, which was the custom at a very early period, as appears from Dr. Shaw's Commentary on 23 c. of St. Matthew - "It was the custom for every family to be placed in separate brick graves (sepulchres, so called at that time), and in the public burial grounds there were upright grave stones at the head and foot thereof, which were whitewashed every year." As the Lancaster Burial Board allows brick graves, similar to those above referred to, I think it would be well if they would also allow the head-stones to be painted white, in preference to whitewashing. Common stone, painted, would involve a much less expense than limestone, which is naturally white, and improves with age; but there are other descriptions of stone in Lancashire in which rich designs might be executed, and which, I think, would look exceedingly well if painted. The expense would be from £2 upwards. As you have a cemetery in Preston, perhaps these few observations may be of interest to some of your readers.
Yours, &c., M. Saul
Lancaster July 22, 1856
_________________
Mel
Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!
|
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
