The Dean of Westminster declined to allow Sir Bartle Frere
to be buried in Westminster Abbey, on the ground of the restricted space now at his disposal. Sir Bartle was, therefore, buried in St. Peal's, on Thursday, in the presence of a large and representative assemblage. The Dean of Westminster was right. All honours grow cheaper, bat of them all, that which should be most jealously guarded is burial in Westminster Abbey, even if the space should be ultimately extended. We wish, however, that the responsibility, which socially is very great, especially when a political party or the Sovereign is interested in the dead, could be taken in part off the shoulders of the Dean. The wisest individuals may make mistakes ; and it took a vote of the House of Commons to prevent Dean Stanley from allowing the Prince Imperial, who had absolutely no claim whatever to such an honour, to be buried there. Could not the consent of the Privy Council be made necessary, or a standing Committee of representative men be formed, with the two Deans as President and Vice-President, and a distinct understanding that the heroes of war should lie with Nelson and Wellington, and the heroes of peace with Fox and Darwin ? A two-aisled Pantheon is unusual, but we have got it.
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