Modern Tombs, gleaned from the public cemeteries, of London: measured, drawn, & etched by Arthur William Hakewill, Archt.

The Royal Academy's copy lacks the title page and text, and has fifteen plates only, all dated 1849. The work appears to have been published in two parts in 1849 and 1851.

The only letterpress text in the Royal Academy's copy occurs on a printed notice carried by the front pastedown, which reads: ' "Arts summa materiâ optimâ melior." Quinct. In this work an endeavour will be made to draw the attention of the public to the very erroneous system so generally pursued in England, of employing the mere mason and mechanic to design Tombs, instead of entrusting this nice and difficult task to the painter, sculptor, and architect - the legitimate practitioners in such matters - whereby our Public Cemeteries have been greatly disfigured, and converted into a subject of national reproach. A.W.H.'

The plates of the first part are all captioned in the plate, and show plans, elevations and views of tombs of: 1. John Jackson, Brompton. T. Butler - Sculptor. 1849; 2. John Alexander Hankey, Kensal Green. Ge. Basevi - Archt. 1838; 3. Joseph Cundy, Norwood; of Samuel Richards, Kensal Green; 4. Wyndham Lewis, Kensal Green, 1838; 5. Louisa Sophia Clayton, Highgate.1841; 6, 7. Marquis of Sligo, Kensal Green; 8. Reynold Morgan, Kensal Green. Joseph Edwards, Sculptor. 1840; 9. Mr. Cheffins, Kensal Green. A.W. Hakewill - Archt. 1838; 10, 11. Lady easthope, Norwood. Ebenezer Trotman, Archt. 1843; 12. John Henry Capper, Norwood. 1847; 13, 14. John Gordon, Kensal Green. 1841; 15. Charles Hawley, Kensal Green. 1842. Most plates include a scale-bar. The designs are all in neoclassical or Greek Revival style.