Bibliothecar. Chetham.
Curious Posthumous Occurrence (Vol. viii., p. 5.).—Though the worthy grave-digger's account, reported by A. B. C., may be chargeable with some exaggeration as to the generality of body-turning, and though the decomposing reason assigned may not be true, yet, that many dead human bodies are found with their faces downwards, is nevertheless quite correct.
Works are now in progress, at the east end of this metropolis, under my own immediate observation, where this fact has been incontestably verified. How long since, or on what occasion, these remains of mortality were placed there, I know not; but, in the course of excavation required for the foundations, they are frequently met with, and, in many instances, in this strange position.
I had come to the conclusion, that, during some raging pestilence (and which may indeed again occur, unless an acceleration takes place in our wounded-snake-like motion in the way of sanitary improvement), I say, it had been my impression, that during some such awful calamity, the anxiety of the uncontaminated to avoid infection had induced them to remove their less fortunate fellow-creatures out of the way with so much haste as actually to bury them alive! and in some convulsive struggle between life and death, they had turned themselves over!
R. M.
In reply to this Note, I would remark that I have consulted a grave-digger "grown old in the service" here, and he tells me he never remembers a case where, after interment, in process of time the occiput takes the place of the facial bones; but, he says, very frequently the head drops either on one side or the other—a circumstance which any one conversant with the human skeleton and the connexion of the cranium with the vertebræ would deem most natural.
Bristoliensis.
Passage in Job (Vol. vii., p. 14.).—This question is answered, as far as it seems possible, by Barnes, in his Notes on Job, which Mr. Edwin Jones may easily consult. The fact appears to be that we have no information respecting the passage in question beyond what is furnished by itself.
B. H. C.
St. Paul and Seneca (Vol. viii., p. 88.).—There is an account of the work referred to in the July number of the Journal of Sacred Literature, edited by Dr. Kitto. It will be found among the "Foreign Intelligence."