94

GREENWOOD  CEMETERY.

OFFICE,
2J0. 39, WiSLliL-STHEET.
 

This is the largest Cemetery of the kind in the world, eontajning
242 acres of land, which are entirely free from menmbrance. It is
situated-is Brooklyn, 2| miles from the South Ferry, on the bills of
Gowanus, from which aie presented beatuifiil views ol tfee Bay and
Harbor of New-York, with its islands and forts,, the cities of New-
York and Brooklyn, the shores of the North and East Elvers, New
Jersey, Staten Ishmd, the Quarantine, numerous towns and villages
in every direction, together with that part of ths Atlantic Ocean
extending from Sandy Hook to the Rockaway Pavilion.

The Charter of this Institution was obtained in 1838, but the
grounds were not publicly opened for interiaents until four years
later. Since then the improveBients made have been numerous and
striking. The natural undulations of the surface have been greatly
beautified by gently-curving Avenues (which now extend about 15
miles) and almost at every step monuHients and tombs arrest the
attention of the visitor. About 2,100 lots have bgea sold, ofwhieh
870 have been enclosed by iron railings, and 86 by stone posts and
chains. 46 Tombs have been erected in side hills and above groimd,
and 76 Vaults have been hwilt underground. 137 Monuaaents have
been erected. The number of interments now exceed 3^00, aad are
greatly on the increase.

The Charter embraces every desiraWe provision for the seeurity,.
permanence and proper government of the institution. It exempts
the grounds for ever from assessment and public taxes, and also from
all liability to be sold on execution, or for the payment of debts by
assignment under any aisolvent law. It re£(uires that all the pro
ceeds of sales of lots shall be applied to the payment of the |round
purchased, and tothejireservation, improvement and embellishment
of the Cemetery, and to the incidental expenses tliereof, and to no
other purpose whatever. This provision effectually excludes all
speeulative gain and prevents any other interest conflicting with that