Cremation

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

the act of cremating or disposing of a corpse by burning instead of burying it. Cremation was practiced among the Greeks and Romans. The mass of the Hindus properly so called thus dispose of their dead, while the Mohammedans have recourse to burial. In 1873 an eminent physician, Sir Henry Thompson, advocated its introduction into England on sanitary grounds, but public feeling was against the innovation, and it made little progress there. Later, however, in many of the European countries cremation of the dead received the highest indorsement of the governments, while in the United States cremament tories were established in many of the cities. The first crematory in the United States was established at Washington, Pa., in 1876. It was first used for the incineration of the body of the Baron de Palm in December of that year. Other crematories have since been established in most of the large cities of the country. EMONA, a city of northern Italy, on the N. bank of the Po, 60 miles S. E. of Milan. Cremona has some fine buildings-the principal the cathedral (1107- 1606), with gorgeous interior; the neighboring octagonal Baptistry; the Palazzo Publico (1245); the so-called Campo Santo; and the famous Torrazzo (1288) or belfry-the loftiest campanile in Italy, being 396 feet high, and commanding magnificent views over the fertile plains of Milan. By means of the Po, Cremona carries on a considerable trade in produce of the district; and it has manufactures of silk, cotton, earthenware, and chemicals. In the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries it was greatly celebrated for its manufacture of violins, the most famous makers being the the Guarneris, and Stradivari. Amatis, Amatis, Pop. about 43,000. ,000. Cremona is the capital of a province of the same name; area, 678 square miles. Pop. about 353,000.