Notes and Queries, Number 19, March 9, 1850 by Various
page 72 of 95 (75%)
page 72 of 95 (75%)
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_Burning the Dead._--"T." will find some information on this subject in Sir Thomas Browne's _Hydriotaphia_, chap. i., which appears to favour his view except in the following extract: "The same practice extended also far west, and besides Heruleans, Getes and Thracians, was in use with most of the Celtæ, Sarmatians, Germans, Gauls, Danes, Swedes, Norwegians; not to omit some use thereof among _Carthaginians_, and _Americans_." The Carthaginians most probably received the custom from their ancestors the Phoenicians, but where did the Americans get it? Henry St. Chad. Corpus Christi Hall, Maidstone, Feb. 8. 1850. _Burning the Dead._--Your correspondent "T." (No. 14. p. 216.) can hardly have overlooked the case of Dido, in his inquiry "whether the practice of burning the dead has ever been in vogue amongst any people, excepting the inhabitants of Europe and Asia?" According to all classical authorities, Dido was founder and queen of Carthage in _Africa_, and was burned at Carthage on a funeral pile. If it be said that Dido's corpse underwent burning in conformity with the custom of her native country Tyre, and not because it obtained in the land of her adoption, then the question arises, whether burning the |
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