1863-02-01 Improvements to Story Lot: Letter from Curtis to W.W. Story, 2021.015.002

It is not necessary to return the plan, it is a copy --

W.W. Story Esq Pallazzo Barberini Rome --

Boston Feb 1st [1863]

W^m. W. Story Esq.

Dear Sir

I address you in behalf of the Trustees of the Cemetery of Mt Auburn. It is not necessary to remind you of the bequest by^{your father}the late [Snr?] Justice Story, to the Trustees for the purpose of keeping in repair the monument erected by him in his lot and its [?] [appearances?]; the income of the Fund unexpended has been added to the principal & now amounts to a considerable surplus.

It is proposed, with your consent, to surround the Lot with a wrought granite curb of the best material ornamented at the corners with Urns

of the same material, on the side towards the Avenue there would be a gateway or opening approached by steps^{but no gate} There is at present a difference of level between the upper & lower parts of the Lot it is proposed to raise the lower lower position & depress the higher so that the lot shall present a plane, slightly inclined. It is thought that these alterations will be a great improvement in the appearance of the Lot. We have caused a plan to be drawn on tissue paper for your examination. If this proposal is agreeable to you either with or without alterations will you communicate your assent to me,^{with such alterations as you desire}as soon as you can conveniently. You will observe

that the urn is surrounded by a carved ivy leaf & surrounded with a pine cone, if these ornaments are not agreeable to you, they can be dispensed with & others substituted. Perhaps you would like to have your family name or your father's name at length carved in basrelief on the stone; if you should, please to indicate the spot where it shall be placed. The cost of these improvements will not be far from $1000, the whole of which will be defrayed by the Trustees;^{from the surplus accumulated on the fund.} care will be taken not to disturb the remains which are deposited nor the monument.

I need not add that this movement on the part of the Trustees arises from their care of what is due^{from them}to the memory of your father --

I am resp^y

Yr obt servt

Charles P. Curtis Chairⁿ Comm^ee of Trustees