A History of the Cemetery of Mount Auburn

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1860 edition. Excerpt: ... At thc next meeting, July Gth, Dr. Bigelow, in behalf of the Committee, exhibited a model, designed by him, and approved by the Committee; after duo examination of which, the Trustees, on motion of Mr. Crockett, voted "That the plan and model, now presented, be adopted by this Board." And, on motion of Mr. Read, it was also voted, "That Messrs. Bigclow, Little, and Tisdale, be a Committee, with full power, to go on and erect the tower now adopted, in granite." The Committee, nbovo named, contracted with Messrs. Whitehcr & Sheldon, of Quincy, to erect tho tower, in stone, for 818,500. But the subsequent addition of stone steps, on several sides, and a broad stone platform about the base, together with the grading of the hill, increased the expense to about 822,000. The tower is sixty-two feet in height above the summit of Mount Auburn. 1 It is built on the general plan of some of the round towers of the feudal ages, and contains a gallery, battlements, f Gothic windows, and a spiral stairease of stone. The stones are smooth hammered on both sides, so that each stone makes a part of both the inside and outside surface of the wall. The horizontal surfaces of all the stones being level and true, it is impossible that any structure, of the same materials, should be more substantial. The summit being above the tops of the highest trees, gives, from its platform, a panoramic view of the Cemetery and surrounding country. A landscape of cities and villages, interspersed with woods, cultivated fields, and large sheets of water, constitutes this view. Charles Iliver, with its various windings, is seen for seven or eight miles of its course, from Boston to Watcrtown, traversing the level marsh, which, in the distance, looks like a shaven lawn. In...