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.

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    morning, was witnessed by many parishioners as well as passers by, and known to all who attended the vestry.” On this communication I beg to remark, that the well-intentioned correspondent of the Times has fallen into a very common, but a very dangerous, error. Leaden coffins are, as I have repeatedly proved, perfectly useless as a means of retaining the gas produced during the decomposition of the dead body. Even the old and much heavier leaden coffin (for in this respect men’s coffins, like men’s principles, are grown much thinner than they used to be) cannot retain the gas. The leaden coffins offer, however, an inducement to a certain class of robbers who prowl about church-vaults. In confirmation of these observa¬ tions, I beg to direct your attention to the following remarks and statement of facts published by me some years since:— “ A man was charged before Sir Claudius Hunter (20th March, 1839), at Guild¬ hall, with having in his possession some portions of leaden coffins, which had been stolen from the public vaults of Shoreditch Church. Sir C. Hunter asked if there was any additional evidence as to the coffin lead ? “The vestry-clerk said there was only one fact, that on one of the cases from which the lead coffin had been stolen, and which nowr contained the corpse, there was the name of the deceased corresponding with one of the plates produced, as having been traced to Joseph’s. “ Sir C. Hunter observed, that the sanctuary of the dead ought not to be in¬ vaded with impunity. The temptation to steal our bodies had been removed by the Legislature ; but now the love of gain tempted persons to steal our coffins. “ In the vaults of a church centrally situate, the burying-ground of which is on the surface, in a most disgusting condition, a nobleman, and several other per¬ sons of distinction, had found their last resting-place. “ In the year-, a rumour arose in the parish, that the rights of sepulture had been grossly violated; inquiries were instituted, men were employed to replace the bodies in the shells that were left, and from which the lead had been stolen ; a hole was dug, into which the remainder of the bodies were thrown. The grave¬ digger was privately examined before a magistrate; it was found that any pro¬ ceedings against him would implicate others. The affair was hushed up, and the vault, which had undergone a thorough clearance, was again made available for the purposes of interment,—again, perhaps, to be subjected to a similar purga¬ tion, when the cupidity of the gravedigger may be in the ascendant, or the want of room shall require it. “ One of these men told me, that some of the bodies were comparatively fresh, and the flesh of others was reduced to a brown and horribly fetid pulp, which left the bones on the slightest touch; but that no serious accident occurred, which can be accounted for by the fact, that the putrefactive process, attended by the evolution of gas, had gone by. “ Four coffins, out of upwards of fifty, alone escaped these brutal depredators of the dead,—that which contained the remains of the nobleman, which it was expected would rest ultimately in -.-, according to his last wish, and three others, secured by strong chains, passing through their handles at each end; these were padlocked, and the keys were kept by the survivors.”*