> "such pomp" is very relevant here. It is astonishing when one enters
> Westminster and sees Newton's tomb. Not in a lateral chapel. Not in
> the floor. In the center, at the left chapel of the first "altar"
> (shrine?), so that when the bread is consecrated, Newton's body is just
> at the right side of God, literally. Perhaps it was only a practical
> issue, to get space for scientists to be buried around Newton, just as
> poets are buried (or their tombstones are installed, at least) around
> Chaucer. But it is impressive.
I may be wrong and stand corrected. I've been there every summer for 9 years
now on my math tour of England with students. I thought he was buried in the
floor. The "altar" I believe is not used as an altar but rather as a
memorial. The main altar is much further back. The memorial is on the left
as you enter the part of Westminster with all the memorials. It is the start
of the scientists section. I always have a problem with stepping on Darwin.
Cheers!
Karen Dee