DEDICATION
ToTheRightReverendTHEBISHOPOFLONDON
MYLORD，Youwereamongthefirst，someyearsago，toexpatiateontheviciousaddictionofthelowerclassesofsocietytoSundayexcursions；andwerethusinstrumentalincallingforthoccasionaldemonstrationsofthoseextremeopinionsonthesubject，whichareverygenerallyreceivedwithderision，ifnotwithcontempt。
Yourelevatedstation，myLord，affordsyoucountlessopportunitiesofincreasingthecomfortsandpleasuresofthehumblerclassesofsociety—notbytheexpenditureofthesmallestportionofyourprincelyincome，butbymerelysanctioningwiththeinfluenceofyourexample，theirharmlesspastimes，andinnocentrecreations。
ThatyourLordshipwouldeverhavecontemplatedSundayrecreationswithsomuchhorror，ifyouhadbeenatallacquaintedwiththewantsandnecessitiesofthepeoplewhoindulgedinthem，Icannotimaginepossible。ThataPrelateofyourelevatedrankhasthefaintestconceptionoftheextentofthosewants，andthenatureofthosenecessities，Idonotbelieve。
Forthesereasons，IventuretoaddressthislittlePamphlettoyourLordship’sconsideration。IamquiteconsciousthattheoutlinesIhavedrawn，affordbutaveryimperfectdescriptionofthefeelingstheyareintendedtoillustrate；butIclaimforthemonemerit—theirtruthandfreedomfromexaggeration。Imayhavefallenshortofthemark，butIhaveneverovershotit：andwhileIhavepointedoutwhatappearstome，tobeinjusticeonthepartofothers，IhopeIhavecarefullyabstainedfromcommittingitmyself。
Iam，MyLord，YourLordship’smostobedient，HumbleServant，TIMOTHYSPARKS。
JUNE，1836。
CHAPTERI—ASITIS
TherearefewthingsfromwhichIderivegreaterpleasure，thanwalkingthroughsomeoftheprincipalstreetsofLondononafineSunday，insummer，andwatchingthecheerfulfacesofthelivelygroupswithwhichtheyarethronged。Thereissomething，tomyeyesatleast，exceedinglypleasinginthegeneraldesireevincedbythehumblerclassesofsociety，toappearneatandcleanonthistheironlyholiday。Therearemanygraveoldpersons，Iknow，whoshaketheirheadswithanairofprofoundwisdom，andtellyouthatpoorpeopledresstoowellnow—a—days；thatwhentheywerechildren，folksknewtheirstationsinlifebetter；thatyoumaydependuponit，nogoodwillcomeofthissortofthingintheend，—andsoforth：butIfancyIcandiscerninthefinebonnetoftheworking—man’swife，orthefeather—bedizenedhatofhischild，noinconsiderableevidenceofgoodfeelingonthepartofthemanhimself，andanaffectionatedesiretoexpendthefewshillingshecansparefromhisweek’swages，inimprovingtheappearanceandaddingtothehappinessofthosewhoarenearestanddearesttohim。Thismaybeaveryheinousandunbecomingdegreeofvanity，perhaps，andthemoneymightpossiblybeappliedtobetteruses；itmustnotbeforgotten，however，thatitmightveryeasilybedevotedtoworse：andiftwoorthreefacescanberenderedhappyandcontented，byatriflingimprovementofoutwardappearance，I
cannothelpthinkingthattheobjectisverycheaplypurchased，evenattheexpenseofasmartgown，oragaudyriband。Thereisagreatdealofveryunnecessarycantabouttheover—dressingofthecommonpeople。Thereisnotamanufacturerortradesmaninexistence，whowouldnotemployamanwhotakesareasonabledegreeofprideintheappearanceofhimselfandthoseabouthim，inpreferencetoasullen，slovenlyfellow，whoworksdoggedlyon，regardlessofhisownclothingandthatofhiswifeandchildren，andseemingtotakepleasureorprideinnothing。
Thepamperedaristocrat，whoselifeisonecontinuedroundoflicentiouspleasuresandsensualgratifications；orthegloomyenthusiast，whodeteststhecheerfulamusementshecanneverenjoy，andenviesthehealthyfeelingshecanneverknow，andwhowouldputdowntheoneandsuppresstheother，untilhemadethemindsofhisfellow—beingsasbesottedanddistortedashisown；—neitherofthesemencanbypossibilityformanadequatenotionofwhatSundayreallyistothosewhoselivesarespentinsedentaryorlaboriousoccupations，andwhoareaccustomedtolookforwardtoitthroughtheirwholeexistence，astheironlydayofrestfromtoil，andinnocentenjoyment。
ThesunthatrisesoverthequietstreetsofLondononabrightSundaymorning，shinestillhissetting，ongayandhappyfaces。
Hereandthere，soearlyassixo’clock，ayoungmanandwomanintheirbestattire，maybeseenhurryingalongontheirwaytothehouseofsomeacquaintance，whoisincludedintheirschemeofpleasurefortheday；fromwhence，afterstoppingtotake\"abitofbreakfast，\"theysallyforth，accompaniedbyseveraloldpeople，andawholecrowdofyoungones，bearinglargehand—basketsfullofprovisions，andBelcherhandkerchiefsdoneupinbundles，withtheneckofabottlestickingoutatthetop，andclosely—packedapplesbulgingoutatthesides，—andawaytheyhurryalongthestreetsleadingtothesteam—packetwharfs，whicharealreadyplentifullysprinkledwithpartiesboundforthesamedestination。Theirgoodhumouranddelightknownobounds—foritisadelightfulmorning，allblueoverhead，andnothinglikeacloudinthewholesky；andeventheairoftheriveratLondonBridgeissomethingtothem，shutupastheyhavebeen，alltheweek，inclosestreetsandheatedrooms。Therearedozensofsteamerstoallsortsofplaces—Gravesend，Greenwich，andRichmond；andsuchnumbersofpeople，thatwhenyouhaveoncesatdownonthedeck，itisallbutamoralimpossibilitytogetupagain—tosaynothingofwalkingabout，whichisentirelyoutofthequestion。Awaytheygo，jokingandlaughing，andeatinganddrinking，andadmiringeverythingtheysee，andpleasedwitheverythingtheyhear，toclimbWindmillHill，andcatchaglimpseoftherichcorn—fieldsandbeautifulorchardsofKent；ortostrollamongthefineoldtreesofGreenwichPark，andsurveythewondersofShooter’sHillandLadyJames’sFolly；ortoglidepastthebeautifulmeadowsofTwickenhamandRichmond，andtogazewithadelightwhichonlypeoplelikethemcanknow，oneverylovelyobjectinthefairprospectaround。Boatfollowsboat，andcoachsucceedscoach，forthenextthreehours；butallarefilled，andallwiththesamekindofpeople—neatandclean，cheerfulandcontented。
Theyreachtheirplacesofdestination，andthetavernsarecrowded；butthereisnodrunkennessorbrawling，fortheclassofmenwhocommittheenormityofmakingSundayexcursions，taketheirfamilieswiththem：andthisinitselfwouldbeacheckuponthem，eveniftheywereinclinedtodissipation，whichtheyreallyarenot。Boisteroustheirmirthmaybe，fortheyhavealltheexcitementoffeelingthatfreshairandgreenfieldscanimparttothedwellersincrowdedcities，butitisinnocentandharmless。
Theglassiscirculated，andthejokegoesround；buttheoneisfreefromexcess，andtheotherfromoffence；andnothingbutgoodhumourandhilarityprevail。
InstreetslikeHolbornandTottenhamCourtRoad，whichformthecentralmarketofalargeneighbourhood，inhabitedbyavastnumberofmechanicsandpoorpeople，afewshopsareopenatanearlyhourofthemorning；andaverypoorman，withathinandsicklywomanbyhisside，maybeseenwiththeirlittlebasketinhand，purchasingthescantyquantityofnecessariestheycanafford，whichthetimeatwhichthemanreceiveshiswages，orhishavingagooddealofworktodo，orthewoman’shavingbeenoutcharingtillalatehour，preventedtheirprocuringover—night。Thecoffee—shopstoo，atwhichclerksandyoungmenemployedincounting—housescanprocuretheirbreakfasts，arealsoopen。Thisclasscomprises，inaplacelikeLondon，anenormousnumberofpeople，whoselimitedmeanspreventtheirengagingfortheirlodgingsanyotherapartmentthanabedroom，andwhohaveconsequentlynoalternativebuttotaketheirbreakfastsatacoffee—shop，orgowithoutitaltogether。Alltheseplaces，however，arequicklyclosed；andbythetimethechurchbellsbegintoring，allappearanceoftraffichasceased。Andthen，whatarethesignsofimmoralitythatmeettheeye？Churchesarewellfilled，andDissenters’chapelsarecrowdedtosuffocation。Thereisnopreachingtoemptybenches，whilethedrunkenanddissolutepopulacerunriotinthestreets。
Hereisafashionablechurch，wheretheservicecommencesatalatehour，fortheaccommodationofsuchmembersofthecongregation—
andtheyarenotafew—asmayhappentohavelingeredattheOperafarintothemorningoftheSabbath；anexcellentcontrivanceforpoisingthebalancebetweenGodandMammon，andillustratingtheeasewithwhichaman’sdutiestoboth，maybeaccommodatedandadjusted。Howthecarriagesrattleup，anddeposittheirrichly—
dressedburdensbeneaththeloftyportico！Thepowderedfootmenglidealongtheaisle，placetherichly—boundprayer—booksonthepewdesks，slamthedoors，andhurryaway，leavingthefashionablemembersofthecongregationtoinspecteachotherthroughtheirglasses，andtodazzleandglitterintheeyesofthefewshabbypeopleinthefreeseats。Theorganpealsforth，thehiredsingerscommenceashorthymn，andthecongregationcondescendinglyrise，stareaboutthem，andconverseinwhispers。Theclergymanentersthereading—desk，—ayoungmanofnoblefamilyandelegantdemeanour，notoriousatCambridgeforhisknowledgeofhorse—fleshanddancers，andcelebratedatEtonforhishopelessstupidity。
Theservicecommences。Markthesoftvoiceinwhichhereads，andtheimpressivemannerinwhichheapplieshiswhitehand，studdedwithbrilliants，tohisperfumedhair。ObservethegracefulemphasiswithwhichheoffersuptheprayersfortheKing，theRoyalFamily，andalltheNobility；andthenonchalancewithwhichhehurriesoverthemoreuncomfortableportionsoftheservice，theseventhcommandmentforinstance，withastudiedregardforthetasteandfeelingofhisauditors，onlytobeequalledbythatdisplayedbythesleekdivinewhosucceedshim，whomurmurs，inavoicekeptdownbyrichfeeding，mostcomfortabledoctrinesforexactlytwelveminutes，andthenarrivesattheanxiouslyexpected’NowtoGod，’whichisthesignalforthedismissalofthecongregation。Theorganisagainheard；thosewhohavebeenasleepwakeup，andthosewhohavekeptawake，smileandseemgreatlyrelieved；bowsandcongratulationsareexchanged，theliveryservantsareallbustleandcommotion，banggothesteps，upjumpthefootmen，andoffrattlethecarriages：theinmatesdiscoursingonthedressesofthecongregation，andcongratulatingthemselvesonhavingsetsoexcellentanexampletothecommunityingeneral，andSunday—pleasurersinparticular。
Enteralessorthodoxplaceofreligiousworship，andobservethecontrast。Asmallclosechapelwithawhite—washedwall，andplaindealpewsandpulpit，containsaclosely—packedcongregation，asdifferentindress，astheyareopposedinmanner，tothatwehavejustquitted。Thehymnissung—notbypaidsingers，butbythewholeassemblyattheloudestpitchoftheirvoices，unaccompaniedbyanymusicalinstrument，thewordsbeinggivenout，twolinesatatime，bytheclerk。Thereissomethinginthesonorousquaveringoftheharshvoices，inthelankandhollowfacesofthemen，andthesoursolemnityofthewomen，whichbespeaksthisastrong—holdofintolerantzealandignorantenthusiasm。Thepreacherentersthepulpit。Heisacoarse，hard—facedmanofforbiddingaspect，cladinrustyblack，andbearinginhishandasmallplainBiblefromwhichheselectssomepassageforhistext，whilethehymnisconcluding。Thecongregationfallupontheirknees，andarehushedintoprofoundstillnessashedeliversanextemporeprayer，inwhichhecallsupontheSacredFounderoftheChristianfaithtoblesshisministry，intermsofdisgustingandimpiousfamiliaritynottobedescribed。Hebeginshisorationinadrawlingtone，andhishearerslistenwithsilentattention。Hegrowswarmerasheproceedswithhissubject，andhisgesticulationbecomesproportionatelyviolent。Heclencheshisfists，beatsthebookuponthedeskbeforehim，andswingshisarmswildlyabouthishead。Thecongregationmurmurtheiracquiescenceinhisdoctrines：
andashortgroan，occasionallybearstestimonytothemovingnatureofhiseloquence。Encouragedbythesesymptomsofapproval，andworkinghimselfuptoapitchofenthusiasmamountingalmosttofrenzy，hedenouncessabbath—breakerswiththedirestvengeanceofoffendedHeaven。Hestretcheshisbodyhalfoutofthepulpit，thrustsforthhisarmswithfranticgestures，andblasphemouslycallsuponTheDeitytovisitwitheternaltorments，thosewhoturnasidefromtheword，asinterpretedandpreachedby—himself。A
lowmoaningisheard，thewomenrocktheirbodiestoandfro，andwringtheirhands；thepreacher’sfervourincreases，theperspirationstartsuponhisbrow，hisfaceisflushed，andheclencheshishandsconvulsively，ashedrawsahideousandappallingpictureofthehorrorspreparingforthewickedinafuturestate。Agreatexcitementisvisibleamonghishearers，ascreamisheard，andsomeyounggirlfallssenselessonthefloor。
Thereisamomentaryrustle，butitisonlyforamoment—alleyesareturnedtowardsthepreacher。Hepauses，passeshishandkerchiefacrosshisface，andlookscomplacentlyround。Hisvoiceresumesitsnaturaltone，aswithmockhumilityheoffersupathanksgivingforhavingbeensuccessfulinhisefforts，andhavingbeenpermittedtorescueonesinnerfromthepathofevil。
Hesinksbackintohisseat，exhaustedwiththeviolenceofhisravings；thegirlisremoved，ahymnissung，apetitionforsomemeasureforsecuringthebetterobservanceoftheSabbath，whichhasbeenpreparedbythegoodman，isread；andhisworshippingadmirersstrugglewhoshallbethefirsttosignit。
Butthemorningservicehasconcluded，andthestreetsareagaincrowdedwithpeople。Longrowsofcleanly—dressedcharitychildren，precededbyaportlybeadleandawitheredschoolmaster，arereturningtotheirwelcomedinner；anditisevident，fromthenumberofmenwithbeer—trayswhoarerunningfromhousetohouse，thatnoinconsiderableportionofthepopulationareabouttotaketheirsatthisearlyhour。Thebakers’shopsinthehumblersuburbsespecially，arefilledwithmen，women，andchildren，eachanxiouslywaitingfortheSundaydinner。Lookatthegroupofchildrenwhosurroundthatworkingmanwhohasjustemergedfromthebaker’sshopatthecornerofthestreet，withthereekingdish，inwhichadiminutivejointofmuttonsimmersaboveavastheapofhalf—brownedpotatoes。Howtheyoungroguesclaptheirhands，anddanceroundtheirfather，forveryjoyattheprospectofthefeast：andhowanxiouslytheyoungestandchubbiestofthelot，lingersontiptoebyhisside，tryingtogetapeepintotheinteriorofthedish。Theyturnupthestreet，andthechubby—
facedboytrotsonasfastashislittlelegswillcarryhim，toheraldtheapproachofthedinnerto’Mother’whoisstandingwithababyinherarmsonthedoorstep，andwhoseemsalmostaspleasedwiththewholesceneasthechildrenthemselves；whereupon’baby’
notpreciselyunderstandingtheimportanceofthebusinessinhand，butclearlyperceivingthatitissomethingunusuallylively，kicksandcrowsmostlustily，totheunspeakabledelightofallthechildrenandboththeparents：andthedinnerisborneintothehouseamidstashoutingofsmallvoices，andjumpingoffatlegs，whichwouldfillSirAndrewAgnewwithastonishment；aswellitmight，seeingthatBaronets，generallyspeaking，eatprettycomfortabledinnersalltheweekthrough，andcannotbeexpectedtounderstandwhatpeoplefeel，whoonlyhaveameatdinnerononedayoutofeveryseven。
Thebakingsbeingalldulyconsignedtotheirrespectiveowners，andthebeer—manhavinggonehisrounds，thechurchbellsringforafternoonservice，theshopsareagainclosed，andthestreetsaremorethaneverthrongedwithpeople；somewhohavenotbeentochurchinthemorning，goingtoitnow；otherswhohavebeentochurch，goingoutforawalk；andothers—letusadmitthefullmeasureoftheirguilt—goingforawalk，whohavenotbeentochurchatall。Iamafraidthesmartservantofallwork，whohasbeenloiteringatthecornerofthesquareforthelasttenminutes，isoneofthelatterclass。Sheisevidentlywaitingforsomebody，andthoughshemayhavemadeuphermindtogotochurchwithhimoneofthesemornings，Idon’tthinktheyhaveanysuchintentiononthisparticularafternoon。Hereheis，atlast。Thewhitetrousers，bluecoat，andyellowwaistcoat—andmoreespeciallythatcockofthehat—indicate，assurelyasinanimateobjectscan，thatChalkFarmandnottheparishchurch，istheirdestination。Thegirlcoloursup，andputsoutherhandwithaveryawkwardaffectationofindifference。Hegivesitagallantsqueeze，andawaytheywalk，arminarm，thegirljustlookingbacktowardsher’place’withanairofconsciousself—importance，andnoddingtoherfellow—servantwhohasgoneuptothetwo—pair—of—
stairswindow，totakeafullviewof’Mary’syoungman，’whichbeingcommunicatedtoWilliam，hetakesoffhishattothefellow—
servant：aproceedingwhichaffordsunmitigatedsatisfactiontoallparties，andimpelsthefellow—servanttoinformMissEmilyconfidentially，inthecourseoftheevening，’thattheyoungmanasMarykeepscompanywith，isoneofthemostgenteelestyoungmenasevershesee。’
Thetwoyoungpeoplewhohavejustcrossedtheroad，andarefollowingthishappycoupledownthestreet，areafairspecimenofanotherclassofSunday—pleasurers。Thereisadappersmartness，strugglingthroughverylimitedmeans，abouttheyoungman，whichinducesonetosethimdownatonceasajuniorclerktoatradesmanorattorney。Thegirlnoonecouldpossiblymistake。
Youmaytellayoungwomanintheemploymentofalargedress—
maker，atanytime，byacertainneatnessofcheapfineryandhumblefollowingoffashion，whichpervadeherwholeattire；butunfortunatelythereareothertokensnottobemisunderstood—thepalefacewithitshecticbloom，theslightdistortionofformwhichnoartificeofdresscanwhollyconceal，theunhealthystoop，andtheshortcough—theeffectsofhardworkandcloseapplicationtoasedentaryemployment，uponatenderframe。Theyturntowardsthefields。Thegirl’scountenancebrightens，andanunwontedglowrisesinherface。TheyaregoingtoHampsteadorHighgate，tospendtheirholidayafternooninsomeplacewheretheycanseethesky，thefields，andtrees，andbreatheforanhourortwothepureair，whichsoseldomplaysuponthatpoorgirl’sform，orexhilaratesherspirits。
IwouldtoGod，thattheiron—heartedmanwhowoulddeprivesuchpeopleastheseoftheironlypleasures，couldfeelthesinkingofheartandsoul，thewastingexhaustionofmindandbody，theutterprostrationofpresentstrengthandfuturehope，attendantuponthatincessanttoilwhichlastsfromdaytoday，andfrommonthtomonth；thattoilwhichistoooftenprotracteduntilthesilenceofmidnight，andresumedwiththefirststirofmorning。Howmarvellouslywouldhisardentzealforothermen’ssouls，diminishafterashortprobation，andhowenlightenedandcomprehensivewouldhisviewsoftherealobjectandmeaningoftheinstitutionoftheSabbathbecome！
Theafternoonisfaradvanced—theparksandpublicdrivesarecrowded。Carriages，gigs，phaetons，stanhopes，andvehiclesofeverydescription，glidesmoothlyon。Thepromenadesarefilledwithloungersonfoot，andtheroadisthrongedwithloungersonhorseback。Personsofeveryclassarecrowdedtogether，here，inonedensemass。Theplebeian，whotakeshispleasureonnodaybutSunday，jostlesthepatrician，whotakeshis，fromyear’sendtoyear’send。Youlookinvainforanyoutwardsignsofprofligacyordebauchery。Youseenothingbeforeyoubutavastnumberofpeople，thedenizensofalargeandcrowdedcity，intheneedfulandrationalenjoymentofairandexercise。
Itgrowsdusk。Theroadsleadingfromthedifferentplacesofsuburbanresort，arecrowdedwithpeopleontheirreturnhome，andthesoundofmerryvoicesringsthroughthegraduallydarkeningfields。Theeveningishotandsultry。Therichmanthrowsopenthesashesofhisspaciousdining—room，andquaffshisicedwineinsplendidluxury。Thepoorman，whohasnoroomtotakehismealsin，butthecloseapartmenttowhichheandhisfamilyhavebeenconfinedthroughouttheweek，sitsinthetea—gardenofsomefamoustavern，anddrinkshisbeerincontentandcomfort。Thefieldsandroadsaregraduallydeserted，thecrowdoncemorepourintothestreets，anddispersetotheirseveralhomes；andbymidnightallissilentandquiet，savewhereafewstragglerslingerbeneaththewindowofsomegreatman’shouse，tolistentothestrainsofmusicfromwithin：orstoptogazeuponthesplendidcarriageswhicharewaitingtoconveytheguestsfromthedinner—partyofanEarl。
Thereisadarkersidetothispicture，onwhich，sofarfromitsbeinganypartofmypurposetoconcealit，Iwishtolayparticularstress。InsomepartsofLondon，andinmanyofthemanufacturingtownsofEngland，drunkennessandprofligacyintheirmostdisgustingforms，exhibitintheopenstreetsonSunday，asadandadegradingspectacle。WeneedgonofartherthanSt。Giles’s，orDruryLane，forsightsandscenesofamostrepulsivenature。
Womenwithscarcelythearticlesofapparelwhichcommondecencyrequires，withformsbloatedbydisease，andfacesrenderedhideousbyhabitualdrunkenness—menreelingandstaggeringalong—
childreninragsandfilth—wholestreetsofsqualidandmiserableappearance，whoseinhabitantsarelounginginthepublicroad，fighting，screaming，andswearing—thesearethecommonobjectswhichpresentthemselvesin，thesearethewell—knowncharacteristicsof，thatportionofLondontowhichIhavejustreferred。
Andwhyisit，thatallwell—disposedpersonsareshocked，andpublicdecencyscandalised，bysuchexhibitions？
Thesepeoplearepoor—thatisnotorious。Itmaybesaidthattheyspendinliquor，moneywithwhichtheymightpurchasenecessaries，andthereisnodenyingthefact；butletitberememberedthateveniftheyappliedeveryfarthingoftheirearningsinthebestpossibleway，theywouldstillbevery—verypoor。Theirdwellingsarenecessarilyuncomfortable，andtoacertaindegreeunhealthy。Cleanlinessmightdomuch，buttheyaretoocrowdedtogether，thestreetsaretoonarrow，andtheroomstoosmall，toadmitoftheireverbeingrendereddesirablehabitations。
Theyworkveryhardalltheweek。Weknowthattheeffectofprolongedandarduouslabour，istoproduce，whenaperiodofrestdoesarrive，asensationoflassitudewhichitrequirestheapplicationofsomestimulustoovercome。Whatstimulushavethey？
Sundaycomes，andwithitacessationoflabour。Howaretheytoemploytheday，orwhatinducementhavetheytoemployit，inrecruitingtheirstockofhealth？Theyseelittleparties，onpleasureexcursions，passingthroughthestreets；buttheycannotimitatetheirexample，fortheyhavenotthemeans。Theymaywalk，tobesure，butitisexactlytheinducementtowalkthattheyrequire。Ifeveryoneofthesemenknew，thatbytakingthetroubletowalktwoorthreemileshewouldbeenabledtoshareinagoodgameofcricket，orsomeathleticsport，Iverymuchquestionwhetheranyofthemwouldremainathome。
Butyouholdoutnoinducement，youoffernorelieffromlistlessness，youprovidenothingtoamusehismind，youaffordhimnomeansofexercisinghisbody。Unwashedandunshaven，hesauntersmoodilyabout，wearyanddejected。Inlieuofthewholesomestimulushemightderivefromnature，youdrivehimtotheperniciousexcitementtobegainedfromart。Hefliestothegin—shopashisonlyresource；andwhen，reducedtoaworselevelthanthelowestbruteinthescaleofcreation，helieswallowinginthekennel，yoursaintlylawgiversliftuptheirhandstoheaven，andexclaimforalawwhichshallconvertthedayintendedforrestandcheerfulness，intooneofuniversalgloom，bigotry，andpersecution。
CHAPTERII—ASSABBATHBILLSWOULDMAKEIT
TheprovisionsofthebillintroducedintotheHouseofCommonsbySirAndrewAgnew，andthrownoutbythatHouseonthemotionforthesecondreading，onthe18thofMayinthepresentyear，byamajorityof32，mayveryfairlybetakenasatestofthelengthtowhichthefanatics，ofwhichthehonourableBaronetisthedistinguishedleader，arepreparedtogo。Notestcanbefairer；
becausewhileontheonehandthismeasuremaybesupposedtoexhibitallthatimprovementwhichmaturereflectionandlongdeliberationmayhavesuggested，soontheotheritmayveryreasonablybeinferred，thatifitbequiteassevereinitsprovisions，andtothefullaspartialinitsoperation，asthosewhichhaveprecededitandexperiencedasimilarfate，thediseaseunderwhichthehonourableBaronetandhisfriendslabour，isperfectlyhopeless，andbeyondthereachofcure。
Theproposedenactmentsofthebillarebrieflythese：—AllworkisprohibitedontheLord’sday，underheavypenalties，increasingwitheveryrepetitionoftheoffence。Therearepenaltiesforkeepingshopsopen—penaltiesfordrunkenness—penaltiesforkeepingopenhousesofentertainment—penaltiesforbeingpresentatanypublicmeetingorassembly—penaltiesforlettingcarriages，andpenaltiesforhiringthem—penaltiesfortravellinginsteam—boats，andpenaltiesfortakingpassengers—penaltiesonvesselscommencingtheirvoyageonSunday—penaltiesontheownersofcattlewhosufferthemtobedrivenontheLord’sday—
penaltiesonconstableswhorefusetoact，andpenaltiesforresistingthemwhentheydo。Inadditiontothesetrifles，theconstablesareinvestedwitharbitrary，vexatious，andmostextensivepowers；andallthisinabillwhichsetsoutwithahypocriticalandcantingdeclarationthat’nothingismoreacceptabletoGodthantheTRUEANDSINCEREworshipofHimaccordingtoHisholywill，andthatitistheboundendutyofParliamenttopromotetheobservanceoftheLord’sday，byprotectingeveryclassofsocietyagainstbeingrequiredtosacrificetheircomfort，health，religiousprivileges，andconscience，fortheconvenience，enjoyment，orsupposedadvantageofanyotherclassontheLord’sday’！Theideaofmakingamantrulymoralthroughtheministryofconstables，andsincerelyreligiousundertheinfluenceofpenalties，isworthyofthemindwhichcouldformsuchamassofmonstrousabsurdityasthisbilliscomposedof。
TheHouseofCommonsthrewthemeasureoutcertainly，andbysodoingretrievedthedisgrace—sofarasitcouldberetrieved—ofplacingamongtheprintedpapersofParliament，suchanegregiousspecimenoflegislativefolly；buttherewasadegreeofdelicacyandforbearanceaboutthedebatethattookplace，whichIcannothelpthinkingasunnecessaryanduncalledfor，asitisunusualinParliamentarydiscussions。IfithadbeenthefirsttimeofSirAndrewAgnew’sattemptingtopalmsuchameasureuponthecountry，wemightwellunderstand，anddulyappreciate，thedelicateandcompassionatefeelingduetothesupposedweaknessandimbecilityoftheman，whichpreventedhispropositionbeingexposedinitstruecolours，andinducedthisHon。Membertobeartestimonytohisexcellentmotives，andthatNobleLordtoregretthathecouldnot—althoughhehadtriedtodoso—adoptanyportionofthebill。
Butwhentheseattemptshavebeenrepeated，againandagain；whenSirAndrewAgnewhasrenewedthemsessionaftersession，andwhenithasbecomepalpablyevidenttothewholeHousethatHisimpudenceofproofineverytrial，Kensnopolite，andheedsnoplaindenial—
itreallybecomeshightimetospeakofhimandhislegislation，astheyappeartodeserve，withoutthatglossofpoliteness，whichisallverywellinanordinarycase，butratheroutofplacewhenthelibertiesandcomfortsofawholepeopleareatstake。
Inthefirstplace，itisbynomeanstheworstcharacteristicofthisbill，thatitisabillofblunders：itis，frombeginningtoend，apieceofdeliberatecruelty，andcraftyinjustice。Iftherichcomposedthewholepopulationofthiscountry，notasinglecomfortofonesinglemanwouldbeaffectedbyit。Itisdirectedexclusively，andwithouttheexceptionofasolitaryinstance，againsttheamusementsandrecreationsofthepoor。ThiswasthebaitheldoutbytheHon。Baronettoabodyofmen，whocannotbesupposedtohaveanyverystrongsympathiesincommonwiththepoor，becausetheycannotunderstandtheirsufferingsortheirstruggles。Thisisthebait，whichwillintimeprevail，unlesspublicattentionisawakened，andpublicfeelingexerted，topreventit。
Taketheveryfirstclause，theprovisionthatnomanshallbeallowedtoworkonSunday—’Thatnoperson，upontheLord’sday，shalldo，orhire，oremployanypersontodoanymanneroflabour，oranyworkofhisorherordinarycalling。’Whatclassofpersonsdoesthisaffect？Therichman？No。Menialservants，bothmaleandfemale，arespeciallyexemptedfromtheoperationofthebill。
’Menialservants’areamongthepoorpeople。Thebillhasnoregardforthem。TheBaronet’sdinnermustbecookedonSunday，theBishop’shorsesmustbegroomed，andthePeer’scarriagemustbedriven。Sothemenialservantsarepututterlybeyondthepaleofgrace；—unlessindeed，theyaretogotoheaventhroughthesanctityoftheirmasters，andpossiblytheymightthinkeventhat，ratheranuncertainpassport。