Page 12 - Graveyard

10 | G r av e y ar d H u m o r

be simply large mounds of stones, with drinking and cooking utensils of
rude pottery on them. The monuments are sometimes built up in a
circular form, like hay-cocks, and contain no inscriptions. Amongst the
1
people cross-roads seem to be much liked as sites for burial purposes.

Customs at Naples.
In Naples the disposition of the dead appears to be according to the
wealth or poverty of the living, and the remains of one who dies without
possessions are treated in a “raw” and “uncultivated” manner. There are
here two cemeteries, viz., Campo Santo Nuovo and Campo Santo
Vecchio, both on the north-east side of the city, situated not far from each
other.
Campo Santo Nuovo is situated on an eminence commanding a
beautiful view of the city and the mountains: we might compare it to a
garden full of shady trees and flowers, which fill the air with sweet narcotic
perfumes. Here the grave monuments are to be seen in the form of streets,
and arrange themselves in rows on both sides. Others stand isolated in
groups, or like a small death-town. In Campo Santo Nuovo there are three
classes of funerals, which are carried out with more or less luxury,
according to the price: the third class, for the poor, consists in simply
placing the dead into a coffin—which is carried into effect at a cost of
twenty francs. Those, however, who do not leave behind them this sum
cannot be buried in Campo Santo Nuovo, but must be interred in Campo
Santo Vecchio: this is the great paupers’ churchyard of Naples; whoever
may have witnessed a funeral here will not be likely to call the churchyard
holy ground, but will compare it with a field where scavengers’ sweepings
are deposited, as the remains are here carelessly tipped out; and this kind
2
of funeral ceremony is performed by the Neapolitan Corporation.

Customs of the North-Western American Indians.
In lieu of coffins boxes are used, into which the bodies are doubled, which,
however, are not placed underground, but up trees: around the boxes are
hung the property of the deceased, blankets, etc. Another way is to put the
box into a tent, or house, with trinkets and household implements around,
the box being supported by trestles. A third method is to place the body in

1 For detailed particulars see Dr. Livingstone’s Travels in Africa, pp. 359, 424, etc.
2 See article “Eine Statte des Entsetzens,” in Garten Laube.