Mount Auburn Cemetery

and report to the Trustees about the proper time I have arranged with Mr Milmore and Col. Folsom, to meet me at the Sphinx, tomorrow, (Monday) afternoon at five o'clock to settle a few things in regard to carving, grading, enclosing &c, and at the same time to uncover the Statue. I shall be gratified if you will assist us with your presence, and shall

also be glad to see any of the Trustees, but with no occasional ceremony. respectfully yours Jacob Bigelow ___

An account will be sent to the leading Newspapers for Tuesday morning

Boston July 23 '/72 [1872]

J.T. Bradlee Esq^r

Dear Sir

Mr Milmore the Sculptor, has informed me that the Sphinx Statue at Mount Auburn is now completed and ready to be placed upon its Pedestal. You and myself are a sub committee with power to direct the removal.

If you will write an order to Col. Folsom to execute this business, I will affix my signature to yours. Col. Folsom should confer fully with Mr Milmore and myself and you before putting it in motion.

Respectfully and truly yrs.

Jacob Bigelow

Sphynx-- Jacob Bigelow to Prop^s of the Cem. of M^tAuburn Jan'y 8, 1873.

Whereas a monumental structure in granite, representing a Sphynx, with pedestal, inscriptions, and decorations, has been made under my direction by Martin Millmore [sic], Sculptor, and is now standing in front of the Chapel of Mount Auburn Cemetery. Now therefore, I, Jacob Bigelow of Boston, Doctor in Medicine do hereby release assign and transfer all my right in said monumental structure to the

[stamp: MT. AUBURN CEMETERY. 16 PEMBERTON SQ. BOSTON. NOV 29 1872]

[letterhead: Mount Auburn Cemetery, C.W. FOLSOM, SUPERINTENDENT. SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE, (P.O.) Mount Auburn, Mass.,Nov. 6.1871.]

Jno T. Bradlee. Esq, Prest. DrSr,

Mr. Milmore says he expects the Sphinx at Mt. Auburn this fall as promised.

If this is so, it would be well to have the shed ready framed to put up over it at once.

Mr. Milmore says it will require shed room ^about^ as shown within: (35 ft long, 30 ft wide, 25 ft high. in center-.)

I have carpenters now that I shall be discharging soon.

If the Sphinx is to arrive this winter, and if the

194

TRUSTEES' REPORT.

DURING the past year considerable advance has been made in the excavation and improvement of Halcyon Lake, the dryness of the season permitting the work commenced in the autumn of 1871 to be continued during the winter months.

Improvements have also been made in Hazel Dell, Palm, Maple, Sycamore and Yew Avenues, the Watriss Lot, vicinity of the Engine-house and other localities, and a house has been erected for the accommodation of the swans and other water fowl.

The Watriss Lot has been connected with the Cemetery by the removal of the stockade which formed the division line, and a substantial wooden fence has been erected on the new boundary.

The drainage of Spruce Avenue and the surrounding territory has long been the subject of careful consideration, and conferences have been held with proprietors whose lots are affected, but all plans heretofore suggested, if feasible at all, would have involved large expenditures.

Recently negotiations have been concluded for the purchase of the "Chant Lot," containing about two and one-half acres of land, the possession of which it is believed will enable a plan to be matured for the drainage of the low section at a reasonable cost; securing also a desirable addition to the Cemetery.

In August last a monumental statue, imitated from the Sphinx of antiquity, and designed to commemorate the great war of American conservation, was placed on its pedestal in front of the Chapel at Mount Auburn. It is cut from a single block of Hallowell Granite, fifteen feet long, by about eight feet in height, the face along measuring three feet in length. It is a gift to the Proprietors of the Cemetery from the late President, Dr. Jacob Bigelow, and was executed under his direction by Martin Milmore, the distinguished sculptor.

The pedestal is of a plain oblong form, with emblems and inscriptions. Its emblems are simple, being on the southern end a figure of the Egyptian Lotus, and on the northern the American Water Lily. On the two remaining sides are inscriptions, on in Latin, the other in English, as follows: -