Thereisapenaltyforkeepingopen，housesofentertainment。Now，supposethebillhadpassed，andthathalf—a—dozenadventurouslicensedvictuallers，relyingupontheexcitementofpublicfeelingonthesubject，andtheconsequentdifficultyofconviction（thisisbynomeansanimprobablesupposition），haddeterminedtokeeptheirhousesandgardensopen，throughthewholeSundayafternoon，indefianceofthelaw。Everyactofhiringorworking，everyactofbuyingorselling，ordelivering，orcausinganythingtobeboughtorsold，isspecificallymadeaseparateoffence—marktheeffect。Aparty，amanandhiswifeandchildren，enteratea—
garden，andtheinformerstationshimselfinthenextbox，fromwhencehecanseeandheareverythingthatpasses。’Waiter！’saysthefather。’Yes。Sir。’’Pintofthebestale！’’Yes，Sir。’
Awayrunsthewaitertothebar，andgetsthealefromthelandlord。Outcomestheinformer’snote—book—penaltyonthefatherforhiring，onthewaiterfordelivering，andonthelandlordforselling，ontheLord’sday。Butitdoesnotstophere。Thewaiterdeliverstheale，anddartsoff，littlesuspectingthepenaltiesinstoreforhim。’Hollo，’criesthefather，’waiter！’’Yes，Sir。’’Justgetthislittleboyabiscuit，willyou？’’Yes，Sir。’Offrunsthewaiteragain，anddowngoesanothercaseofhiring，anothercaseofdelivering，andanothercaseofselling；andsoitwouldgoonADINFINITUM，thesumandsubstanceofthematterbeing，thateverytimeamanorwomancried’Waiter！’onSunday，heorshewouldbefinednotlessthanfortyshillings，normorethanahundred；andeverytimeawaiterreplied，’Yes，Sir，’heandhismasterwouldbefinedinthesameamount：withtheadditionofanewsortofwindowdutyonthelandlord，towit，ataxoftwentyshillingsanhourforeveryhourbeyondthefirstone，duringwhichheshouldhavehisshuttersdownontheSabbath。
Withoneexception，thereareperhapsnoclausesinthewholebill，sostronglyillustrativeofitspartialoperation，andtheintentionofitsframer，asthosewhichrelatetotravellingonSunday。Penaltiesoften，twenty，andthirtypounds，aremercilesslyimposeduponcoachproprietorswhoshallruntheircoachesontheSabbath；one，two，andtenpoundsuponthosewhohire，orlettohire，horsesandcarriagesupontheLord’sday，butnotonesyllableaboutthosewhohavenonecessitytohire，becausetheyhavecarriagesandhorsesoftheirown；notonewordofapenaltyonliveriedcoachmenandfootmen。Thewholeofthesaintlyvenomisdirectedagainstthehiredcabriolet，thehumblefly，ortherumblinghackney—coach，whichenablesamanofthepoorerclasstoescapeforafewhoursfromthesmokeanddirt，inthemidstofwhichhehasbeenconfinedthroughouttheweek：whiletheescutcheonedcarriageandthedashingcab，maywhirltheirwealthyownerstoSundayfeastsandprivateoratorios，settingconstables，informers，andpenalties，atdefiance。Again，inthedescriptionoftheplacesofpublicresortwhichitisrenderedcriminaltoattendonSunday，therearenowordscomprisingaveryfashionablepromenade。Publicdiscussions，publicdebates，publiclecturesandspeeches，arecautiouslyguardedagainst；foritisbytheirmeansthatthepeoplebecomeenlightenedenoughtoderidethelasteffortsofbigotryandsuperstition。Thereisastringentprovisionforpunishingthepoormanwhospendsanhourinanews—
room，butthereisnothingtopreventtherichonefromloungingawaythedayintheZoologicalGardens。
Thereis，infourwords，amockproviso，whichaffectstoforbidtravelling’withanyanimal’ontheLord’sday。This，however，isrevoked，asrelatestotherichman，byasubsequentprovision。Wehavethenapenaltyofnotlessthanfifty，normorethanonehundredpounds，uponanypersonparticipatinginthecontrol，orhavingthecommandofanyvesselwhichshallcommencehervoyageontheLord’sday，shouldthewindprovefavourable。Thenexttimethisbillisbroughtforward（whichwillnodoubtbeatanearlyperiodofthenextsessionofParliament）perhapsitwillbebettertoamendthisclausebydeclaring，thatfromandafterthepassingoftheact，itshallbedeemedunlawfulforthewindtoblowatallupontheSabbath。Itwouldremoveagreatdealoftemptationfromtheownersandcaptainsofvessels。
ThereaderisnowinpossessionoftheprincipalenactingclausesofSirAndrewAgnew’sbill，withtheexceptionofone，forpreventingthekillingortakingof’FISH，OROTHERWILDANIMALS，’
andtheordinaryprovisionswhichareinsertedforform’ssakeinallactsofParliament。Inowbeghisattentiontotheclausesofexemption。
Theyaretwoinnumber。Thefirstexemptsmenialservantsfromanyrest，andallpoormenfromanyrecreation：outlawsamilkmanafternineo’clockinthemorning，andmakeseating—houseslawfulforonlytwohoursintheafternoon；permitsamedicalmantousehiscarriageonSunday，anddeclaresthataclergymanmayeitherusehisown，orhireone。
Thesecondisartful，cunning，anddesigning；shieldingtherichmanfromthepossibilityofbeingentrapped，andaffectingatthesametime，tohaveatenderandscrupulousregard，fortheinterestsofthewholecommunity。Itdeclares，’thatnothinginthisactcontained，shallextendtoworksofpiety，charity，ornecessity。’
Whatismeantbytheword’necessity’inthisclause？Simplythis—thattherichmanshallbeatlibertytomakeuseofallthesplendidluxurieshehascollectedaroundhim，onanydayintheweek，becausehabitandcustomhaverenderedthem’necessary’tohiseasyexistence；butthatthepoormanwhosaveshismoneytoprovidesomelittlepleasureforhimselfandfamilyatlengthenedintervals，shallnotbepermittedtoenjoyit。Itisnot’necessary’tohim：—Heavenknows，heveryoftengoeslongenoughwithoutit。ThisistheplainEnglishoftheclause。Thecarriageandpairofhorses，thecoachman，thefootman，thehelper，andthegroom，are’necessary’onSundays，asonotherdays，tothebishopandthenobleman；butthehackney—coach，thehiredgig，orthetaxedcart，cannotpossiblybe’necessary’totheworking—manonSunday，forhehasitnotatothertimes。Thesumptuousdinnerandtherichwines，are’necessaries’toagreatmaninhisownmansion：butthepintofbeerandtheplateofmeat，degradethenationalcharacterinaneating—house。
SuchisthebillforpromotingthetrueandsincereworshipofGodaccordingtohisHolyWill，andforprotectingeveryclassofsocietyagainstbeingrequiredtosacrificetheirhealthandcomfortontheSabbath。Instancesinwhichitsoperationwouldbeasunjustasitwouldbeabsurd，mightbemultipliedtoanendlessamount；butitissufficienttoplaceitsleadingprovisionsbeforethereader。Indoingso，Ihavepurposelyabstainedfromdrawingupontheimaginationforpossiblecases；theprovisionstowhichI
havereferred，standinsomanywordsuponthebillasprintedbyorderoftheHouseofCommons；andtheycanneitherbedisowned，norexplainedaway。
Letussupposesuchabillasthis，tohaveactuallypassedbothbranchesofthelegislature；tohavereceivedtheroyalassent；andtohavecomeintooperation。ImagineitseffectinagreatcitylikeLondon。
Sundaycomes，andbringswithitadayofgeneralgloomandausterity。Themanwhohasbeentoilinghardalltheweek，hasbeenlookingtowardstheSabbath，notastoadayofrestfromlabour，andhealthyrecreation，butasoneofgrievoustyrannyandgrindingoppression。ThedaywhichhisMakerintendedasablessing，manhasconvertedintoacurse。Insteadofbeinghailedbyhimashisperiodofrelaxation，hefindsitremarkableonlyasdeprivinghimofeverycomfortandenjoyment。Hehasmanychildrenabouthim，allsentintotheworldatanearlyage，tostruggleforalivelihood；oneiskeptinawarehouseallday，withanintervalofresttooshorttoenablehimtoreachhome，anotherwalksfourorfivemilestohisemploymentatthedocks，athirdearnsafewshillingsweekly，asanerrandboy，orofficemessenger；andtheemploymentofthemanhimself，detainshimatsomedistancefromhishomefrommorningtillnight。Sundayistheonlydayonwhichtheycouldallmeettogether，andenjoyahomelymealinsocialcomfort；andnowtheysitdowntoacoldandcheerlessdinner：thepiousguardiansoftheman’ssalvationhaving，intheirregardforthewelfareofhisprecioussoul，shutupthebakers’shops。Thefireblazeshighinthekitchenchimneyofthesewell—fedhypocrites，andtherichsteamsofthesavourydinnerscenttheair。Whatcaretheytobetoldthatthisclassofmenhaveneitheraplacetocookin—normeanstobeartheexpense，iftheyhad？
Lookintoyourchurches—diminishedcongregations，andscantyattendance。Peoplehavegrownsullenandobstinate，andarebecomingdisgustedwiththefaithwhichcondemnsthemtosuchadayasthis，onceineveryseven。AndasyoucannotmakepeoplereligiousbyActofParliament，orforcethemtochurchbyconstables，theydisplaytheirfeelingbystayingaway。
Turnintothestreets，andmarktherigidgloomthatreignsovereverythingaround。Theroadsareempty，thefieldsaredeserted，thehousesofentertainmentareclosed。Groupsoffilthyanddiscontented—lookingmen，areidlingaboutatthestreetcorners，orsleepinginthesun；buttherearenodecently—dressedpeopleofthepoorerclass，passingtoandfro。Whereshouldtheywalkto？
Itwouldtakethemanhour，atleast，togetintothefields，andwhentheyreachedthem，theycouldprocureneitherbitenorsup，withouttheinformerandthepenalty。Nowandthen，acarriagerollssmoothlyon，orawell—mountedhorseman，followedbyaliveriedattendant，cantersby；butwiththeseexceptions，allisasmelancholyandquietasifapestilencehadfallenonthecity。
Bendyourstepsthroughthenarrowandthickly—inhabitedstreets，andobservethesallowfacesofthemenandwomenwhoareloungingatthedoors，orlollingfromthewindows。Regardwelltheclosenessofthesecrowdedrooms，andthenoisomeexhalationsthatrisefromthedrainsandkennels；andthenlaudthetriumphofreligionandmorality，whichcondemnspeopletodragtheirlivesoutinsuchstewsasthese，andmakesitcriminalforthemtoeatordrinkinthefreshair，orundertheclearsky。Hereandthere，fromsomehalf—openedwindow，theloudshoutofdrunkenrevelrystrikesupontheear，andthenoiseofoathsandquarrelling—theeffectofthecloseandheatedatmosphere—isheardonallsides。
Seehowthemenallrushtojointhecrowdthataremakingtheirwaydownthestreet，andhowloudtheexecrationsofthemobbecomeastheydrawnearer。Theyhaveassembledroundalittleknotofconstables，whohaveseizedthestock—in—trade，heinouslyexposedonSunday，ofsomemiserablewalking—stickseller，whofollowsclamouringforhisproperty。Thedisputegrowswarmerandfiercer，untilatlastsomeofthemorefuriousamongthecrowd，rushforwardtorestorethegoodstotheirowner。Ageneralconflicttakesplace；thesticksoftheconstablesareexercisedinalldirections；freshassistanceisprocured；andhalfadozenoftheassailantsareconveyedtothestation—house，struggling，bleeding，andcursing。Thecaseistakentothepolice—officeonthefollowingmorning；andafterafrightfulamountofperjuryonbothsides，themenaresenttoprisonforresistingtheofficers，theirfamiliestotheworkhousetokeepthemfromstarving：andtheretheybothremainforamonthafterwards，glorioustrophiesofthesanctifiedenforcementoftheChristianSabbath。Addtosuchscenesasthese，theprofligacy，idleness，drunkenness，andvice，thatwillbecommittedtoanextentwhichnomancanforesee，onMonday，asanatonementfortherestraintoftheprecedingday；andyouhaveaveryfaintandimperfectpictureofthereligiouseffectsofthisSundaylegislation，supposingitcouldeverbeforceduponthepeople。
Butletthosewhoadvocatethecauseoffanaticism，reflectwellupontheprobableissueoftheirendeavours。Theymaybyperseverance，succeedwithParliament。Letthemponderontheprobabilityofsucceedingwiththepeople。Youmaydenytheconcessionofapoliticalquestionforatime，andanationwillbearitpatiently。Strikehometothecomfortsofeveryman’sfireside—tamperwitheveryman’sfreedomandliberty—andonemonth，oneweek，mayrouseafeelingabroad，whichakingwouldgladlyyieldhiscrowntoquell，andapeerwouldresignhiscoronettoallay。
Itisthecustomtoaffectadeferenceforthemotivesofthosewhoadvocatethesemeasures，andarespectforthefeelingsbywhichtheyareactuated。Theydonotdeserveit。Iftheylegislateinignorance，theyarecriminalanddishonest；iftheydosowiththeireyesopen，theycommitwilfulinjustice；ineithercase，theybringreligionintocontempt。ButtheydoNOTlegislateinignorance。Publicprints，andpublicmen，havepointedouttothemagainandagain，theconsequencesoftheirproceedings。Iftheypersistinthrustingthemselvesforward，letthoseconsequencesrestupontheirownheads，andletthembecontenttostandupontheirownmerits。
Itmaybeasked，whatmotivescanactuateamanwhohassolittleregardforthecomfortofhisfellow—beings，solittlerespectfortheirwantsandnecessities，andsodistortedanotionofthebeneficenceofhisCreator。Ireply，anenvious，heartless，ill—
conditioneddisliketoseeingthosewhomfortunehasplacedbelowhim，cheerfulandhappy—anintolerantconfidenceinhisownhighworthinessbeforeGod，andaloftyimpressionofthedemeritsofothers—pride，selfishpride，asinconsistentwiththespiritofChristianityitself，asopposedtotheexampleofitsFounderuponearth。
Tothesemaybeaddedanotherclassofmen—thesternandgloomyenthusiasts，whowouldmakeearthahell，andreligionatorment：
menwho，havingwastedtheearlierpartoftheirlivesindissipationanddepravity，findthemselveswhenscarcelypastitsmeridian，steepedtotheneckinvice，andshunnedlikealoathsomedisease。Abandonedbytheworld，havingnothingtofallbackupon，nothingtorememberbuttimemis—spent，andenergiesmisdirected，theyturntheireyesandnottheirthoughtstoHeaven，anddeludethemselvesintotheimpiousbelief，thatindenouncingthelightnessofheartofwhichtheycannotpartake，andtherationalpleasuresfromwhichtheyneverderivedenjoyment，theyaremorethanremedyingthesinsoftheiroldcareer，and—likethefoundersofmonasteriesandbuildersofchurches，inruderdays—
establishingagoodsetclaimupontheirMaker。
CHAPTERIII—ASITMIGHTBEMADE
ThesupportersofSabbathBills，andmoreespeciallytheextremeclassofDissenters，laygreatstressuponthedeclarationsoccasionallymadebycriminalsfromthecondemnedcellorthescaffold，thattoSabbath—breakingtheyattributetheirfirstdeviationfromthepathofrectitude；andtheypointtothesestatements，asanincontestableproofoftheevilconsequenceswhichawaitadeparturefromthatstrictandrigidobservanceoftheSabbath，whichtheyuphold。Icannothelpthinkingthatinthis，asinalmosteveryotherrespectconnectedwiththesubject，thereisaconsiderabledegreeofcant，andaverygreatdealofwilfulblindness。Ifamanbeviciouslydisposed—andwithveryfewexceptions，notamandiesbytheexecutioner’shands，whohasnotbeeninonewayorotheramostabandonedandprofligatecharacterformanyyears—ifamanbeviciouslydisposed，thereisnodoubtthathewillturnhisSundaytobadaccount，thathewilltakeadvantageofit，todissipatewithotherbadcharactersasvileashimself；andthatinthisway，hemaytracehisfirstyieldingtotemptation，possiblyhisfirstcommissionofcrime，toaninfringementoftheSabbath。Butthiswouldbeanargumentagainstanyholidayatall。IfhisholidayhadbeenWednesdayinsteadofSunday，andhehaddevotedittothesameimproperuses，itwouldhavebeenproductiveofthesameresults。Itistoomuchtojudgeofthecharacterofawholepeople，bytheconfessionsoftheveryworstmembersofsociety。Itisnotfair，tocrydownthingswhichareharmlessinthemselves，becauseevil—disposedmenmayturnthemtobadaccount。Whoeverthoughtofdeprecatingtheteachingpoorpeopletowrite，becausesomeporterinawarehousehadcommittedforgery？Orintowhatman’sheaddiditeverenter，topreventthecrowdingofchurches，becauseitaffordedatemptationforthepickingofpockets？
WhentheBookofSports，forallowingthepeasantryofEnglandtodivertthemselveswithcertaingamesintheopenair，onSundays，aftereveningservice，waspublishedbyCharlestheFirst，itisneedlesstosaytheEnglishpeoplewerecomparativelyrudeanduncivilised。Andyetitisextraordinarytohowfewexcessesitgaverise，eveninthatday，whenmen’smindswerenotenlightened，ortheirpassionsmoderated，bytheinfluenceofeducationandrefinement。Thatsomeexcesseswerecommittedthroughitsmeans，intheremoterpartsofthecountry，andthatitwasdiscontinuedinthoseplaces，inconsequence，cannotbedenied：butgenerallyspeaking，thereisnoproofwhateveronrecord，ofitshavinghadanytendencytoincreasecrime，ortolowerthecharacterofthepeople。
ThePuritansofthattime，wereasmuchopposedtoharmlessrecreationsandhealthfulamusementsasthoseofthepresentday，anditisamusingtoobservethateachintheirgeneration，advancepreciselythesamedescriptionofarguments。IntheBritishMuseum，thereisacuriouspamphletgotupbytheAgnewsofCharles’stime，entitled’ADivineTragedielatelyacted，oraCollectionofsundrymemorableexamplesofGod’sJudgementsuponSabbathBreakers，andotherlikeLibertinesintheirunlawfulSports，happeningwithintherealmeofEngland，inthecompassonlyoftwoyeareslastpast，sincetheBooke（ofSports）waspublished，worthytobeknowneandconsideredofallmen，especiallysuchwhoareguiltyofthesinne，orarchpatronsthereof。’Thisamusingdocument，containssomefiftyorsixtyveritableaccountsofballsoffirethatfellintochurchyardsandupsetthesporters，andsportersthatquarrelled，andupsetoneanother，andsoforth：andamongthemisoneanecdotecontaininganexampleofaratherdifferentkind，whichIcannotresistthetemptationofquoting，asstronglyillustrativeofthefact，thatthisblinkingofthequestionhasnoteventherecommendationofnovelty。
’AwomanaboutNorthampton，thesamedaythatsheheardthebookeforsportsread，wentimmediately，andhaving3。penceinherpurse，hiredafellowtogoetothenexttownetofetchaMinstrell，whocoming，shewithothersfelladauncing，whichcontinuedwithinnight；atwhichtimesheewasgotwithchild，whichatthebirthsheemurthering，wasdetectedandapprehended，andbeingconvertedbeforethejustice，sheeconfessedit，andwithaltoldtheoccasionofit，sayingitwasherfallingtosportontheSabbath，uponthereadingoftheBooke，soasforthistreblesinfullact，herpresumptuousprofaningoftheSabbath，wh。
broughtheradultoryandthatmurther。SheewasaccordingtotheLawbothofGodandman，puttodeath。MuchsinneandmiseryfollowethuponSabbath—breaking。’
Itisneedlesstosay，thatiftheyoungladynearNorthamptonhad’fallentosport’ofsuchadangerousdescription，onanyotherdaybutSunday，thefirstresultwouldprobablyhavebeenthesame：itneverhavingbeendistinctlyshownthatSundayismorefavourabletothepropagationofthehumanracethananyotherdayintheweek。Thesecondresult—themurderofthechild—doesnotspeakveryhighlyfortheamiabilityofhernaturaldisposition；andthewholestory，supposingittohavehadanyfoundationatall，isaboutasmuchchargeableupontheBookofSports，asupontheBookofKings。Such’sports’havetakenplaceinDissentingChapelsbeforenow；butreligionhasneverbeenblamedinconsequence；norhasitbeenproposedtoshutupthechapelsonthataccount。
Thequestion，then，veryfairlyarises，whetherwehaveanyreasontosupposethatallowinggamesintheopenaironSundays，orevenprovidingthemeansofamusementforthehumblerclassesofsocietyonthatday，wouldbehurtfulandinjurioustothecharacterandmoralsofthepeople。
IwastravellinginthewestofEnglandasummerortwoback，andwasinducedbythebeautyofthescenery，andtheseclusionofthespot，toremainforthenightinasmallvillage，distantaboutseventymilesfromLondon。ThenextmorningwasSunday；andI
walkedout，towardsthechurch。Groupsofpeople—thewholepopulationofthelittlehamletapparently—werehasteninginthesamedirection。Cheerfulandgood—humouredcongratulationswereheardonallsides，asneighboursovertookeachother，andwalkedonincompany。OccasionallyIpassedanagedcouple，whosemarrieddaughterandherhusbandwereloiteringbythesideoftheoldpeople，accommodatingtheirrateofwalkingtotheirfeeblepace，whilealittleknotofchildrenhurriedonbefore；stoutyounglabourersincleanroundfrocks；andbuxomgirlswithhealthy，laughingfaces，wereplentifullysprinkledaboutincouples，andthewholescenewasoneofquietandtranquilcontentment，irresistiblycaptivating。Themorningwasbrightandpleasant，thehedgesweregreenandblooming，andathousanddeliciousscentswerewaftedontheair，fromthewildflowerswhichblossomedoneithersideofthefootpath。ThelittlechurchwasoneofthosevenerablesimplebuildingswhichaboundintheEnglishcounties；
halfovergrownwithmossandivy，andstandinginthecentreofalittleplotofground，which，butforthegreenmoundswithwhichitwasstudded，mighthavepassedforalovelymeadow。Ifanciedthattheoldclankingbellwhichwasnowsummoningthecongregationtogether，wouldseemlessterriblewhenitrungouttheknellofadepartedsoul，thanIhadeverdeemedpossiblebefore—thatthesoundwouldtellonlyofawelcometocalmnessandrest，amidstthemostpeacefulandtranquilsceneinnature。
Ifollowedintothechurch—alow—roofedbuildingwithsmallarchedwindows，throughwhichthesun’sraysstreameduponaplaintabletontheoppositewall，whichhadoncerecordednames，nowasundistinguishableonitswornsurface，aswerethebonesbeneath，fromthedustintowhichtheyhadresolved。TheimpressiveserviceoftheChurchofEnglandwasspoken—notmerelyREAD—byagrey—
headedminister，andtheresponsesdeliveredbyhisauditors，withanairofsinceredevotionasfarremovedfromaffectationordisplay，asfromcoldnessorindifference。Thepsalmswereaccompaniedbyafewinstrumentalperformers，whowerestationedinasmallgalleryextendingacrossthechurchatthelowerend，overthedoor：andthevoiceswereledbytheclerk，who，itwasevident，derivednoslightprideandgratificationfromthisportionoftheservice。Thediscoursewasplain，unpretending，andwelladaptedtothecomprehensionofthehearers。Attheconclusionoftheservice，thevillagerswaitedinthechurchyard，tosalutetheclergymanashepassed；andtwoorthree，Iobserved，steppedaside，asifcommunicatingsomelittledifficulty，andaskinghisadvice。This，toguessfromthehomelybows，andotherrusticexpressionsofgratitude，theoldgentlemanreadilyconceded。Heseemedintimatelyacquaintedwiththecircumstancesofallhisparishioners；forIheardhiminquireafteroneman’syoungestchild，anotherman’swife，andsoforth；andthathewasfondofhisjoke，Idiscoveredfromoverhearinghimaskastout，fresh—colouredyoungfellow，withaveryprettybashful—lookinggirlonhisarm，’whenthosebannsweretobeputup？’—aninquirywhichmadetheyoungfellowmorefresh—coloured，andthegirlmorebashful，andwhich，strangetosay，causedagreatmanyothergirlswhowerestandinground，tocolourupalso，andlookanywherebutinthefacesoftheirmalecompanions。
AsIapproachedthisspotintheeveningabouthalfanhourbeforesunset，Iwassurprisedtohearthehumofvoices，andoccasionallyashoutofmerrimentfromthemeadowbeyondthechurchyard；whichI
found，whenIreachedthestile，tobeoccasionedbyaveryanimatedgameofcricket，inwhichtheboysandyoungmenoftheplacewereengaged，whilethefemalesandoldpeoplewerescatteredabout：someseatedonthegrasswatchingtheprogressofthegame，andotherssaunteringaboutingroupsoftwoorthree，gatheringlittlenosegaysofwildrosesandhedgeflowers。Icouldnotbuttakenoticeofoneoldmaninparticular，withabright—eyedgrand—
daughterbyhisside，whowasgivingasunburntyoungfellowsomeinstructionsinthegame，whichhereceivedwithanairofprofounddeference，butwithanoccasionalglanceatthegirl，whichinducedmetothinkthathisattentionwasratherdistractedfromtheoldgentleman’snarrationofthefruitsofhisexperience。Whenitwashisturnatthewicket，too，therewasaglancetowardsthepaireverynowandthen，whichtheoldgrandfatherverycomplacentlyconsideredasanappealtohisjudgmentofaparticularhit，butwhichacertainblushinthegirl’sface，andadowncastlookofthebrighteye，ledmetobelievewasintendedforsomebodyelsethantheoldman，—andunderstoodbysomebodyelse，too，orIammuchmistaken。
Iwasintheveryheightofthepleasurewhichthecontemplationofthissceneaffordedme，whenIsawtheoldclergymanmakinghiswaytowardsus。Itrembledforanangryinterruptiontothesport，andwasalmostonthepointofcryingout，towarnthecricketersofhisapproach；hewassocloseuponme，however，thatIcoulddonothingbutremainstill，andanticipatethereproofthatwaspreparing。Whatwasmyagreeablesurprisetoseetheoldgentlemanstandingatthestile，withhishandsinhispockets，surveyingthewholescenewithevidentsatisfaction！AndhowdullImusthavebeen，nottohaveknowntillmyfriendthegrandfather（who，by—
the—bye，saidhehadbeenawonderfulcricketerinhistime）toldme，thatitwastheclergymanhimselfwhohadestablishedthewholething：thatitwashisfieldtheyplayedin；andthatitwashewhohadpurchasedstumps，bats，ball，andall！
Itissuchscenesasthis，IwouldseenearLondon，onaSundayevening。Itissuchmenasthis，whowoulddomoreinoneyeartomakepeopleproperlyreligious，cheerful，andcontented，thanallthelegislationofacenturycouldeveraccomplish。
Itwillbesaid—ithasbeenveryoften—thatitwouldbematterofperfectimpossibilitytomakeamusementsandexercisessucceedinlargetowns，whichmaybeverywelladaptedtoacountrypopulation。Here，again，wearecalledupontoyieldtobareassertionsonmattersofbeliefandopinion，asiftheywereestablishedandundoubtedfacts。Thatthereisawidedifferencebetweenthetwocases，noonewillbepreparedtodispute；thatthedifferenceissuchastopreventtheapplicationofthesameprincipletoboth，noreasonableman，Ithink，willbedisposedtomaintain。ThegreatmajorityofthepeoplewhomakeholidayonSundaynow，areindustrious，orderly，andwell—behavedpersons。Itisnotunreasonabletosupposethattheywouldbenomoreinclinedtoanabuseofpleasuresprovidedforthem，thantheyaretoanabuseofthepleasurestheyprovideforthemselves；andifanypeople，forwantofsomethingbettertodo，resorttocriminalpracticesontheSabbathasatpresentobserved，nobetterremedyfortheevilcanbeimagined，thangivingthemtheopportunityofdoingsomethingwhichwillamusethem，andhurtnobodyelse。
TheproprietyofopeningtheBritishMuseumtorespectablepeopleonSunday，haslatelybeenthesubjectofsomediscussion。IthinkitwouldpuzzlethemostaustereoftheSundaylegislatorstoassignanyvalidreasonforopposingsosensibleaproposition。
TheMuseumcontainsrichspecimensfromallthevastmuseumsandrepositoriesofNature，andrareandcuriousfragmentsofthemightyworksofart，inbygoneages：allcalculatedtoawakencontemplationandinquiry，andtotendtotheenlightenmentandimprovementofthepeople。Butattendantswouldbenecessary，andafewmenwouldbeemployedupontheSabbath。Theycertainlywould；buthowmany？Why，iftheBritishMuseum，andtheNationalGallery，andtheGalleryofPracticalScience，andeveryotherexhibitioninLondon，fromwhichknowledgeistobederivedandinformationgained，weretobethrownopenonaSundayafternoon，notfiftypeoplewouldberequiredtopresideoverthewhole：anditwouldtaketreblethenumbertoenforceaSabbathbillinanythreepopulousparishes。
Ishouldliketoseesomelargefield，oropenpieceofground，ineveryoutskirtofLondon，exhibitingeachSundayeveningonalargerscale，thesceneofthelittlecountrymeadow。Ishouldliketoseethetimearrive，whenaman’sattendancetohisreligiousdutiesmightbelefttothatreligiousfeelingwhichmostmenpossessinagreaterorlessdegree，butwhichwasneverforcedintothebreastofanymanbymenaceorrestraint。IshouldliketoseethetimewhenSundaymightbelookedforwardto，asarecogniseddayofrelaxationandenjoyment，andwheneverymanmightfeel，whatfewmendonow，thatreligionisnotincompatiblewithrationalpleasureandneedfulrecreation。
Howdifferentapicturewouldthestreetsandpublicplacesthenpresent！Themuseums，andrepositoriesofscientificandusefulinventions，wouldbecrowdedwithingeniousmechanicsandindustriousartisans，allanxiousforinformation，andallunabletoprocureitatanyothertime。Thespacioussaloonswouldbeswarmingwithpracticalmen：humbleinappearance，butdestined，perhaps，tobecomethegreatestinventorsandphilosophersoftheirage。Thelabourerswhonowloungeawaythedayinidlenessandintoxication，wouldbeseenhurryingalong，withcheerfulfacesandcleanattire，nottothecloseandsmokyatmosphereofthepublic—
housebuttothefreshandairyfields。Fancythepleasantscene。
Throngsofpeople，pouringoutfromthelanesandalleysofthemetropolis，tovariousplacesofcommonresortatsomeshortdistancefromthetown，tojoinintherefreshingsportsandexercisesoftheday—thechildrengambollingincrowdsuponthegrass，themotherslookingon，andenjoyingthemselvesthelittlegametheyseemonlytodirect；otherpartiesstrollingalongsomepleasantwalks，orreposingintheshadeofthestatelytrees；
othersagainintentupontheirdifferentamusements。Nothingshouldbeheardonallsides，butthesharpstrokeofthebatasitsenttheballskimmingalongtheground，theclearringofthequoit，asitstruckupontheironpeg：thenoisymurmurofmanyvoices，andtheloudshoutofmirthanddelight，whichwouldawakentheechoesfarandwide，tillthefieldsrungwithit。Thedaywouldpassaway，inaseriesofenjoymentswhichwouldawakennopainfulreflectionswhennightarrived；fortheywouldbecalculatedtobringwiththem，onlyhealthandcontentment。Theyoungwouldlosethatdreadofreligion，whichthesourausterityofitsprofessorstooofteninculcatesinyouthfulbosoms；andtheoldwouldfindlessdifficultyinpersuadingthemtorespectitsobservances。Thedrunkenanddissipated，deprivedofanyexcusefortheirmisconduct，wouldnolongerexcitepitybutdisgust。
Aboveall，themoreignorantandhumbleclassofmen，whonowpartakeofmanyofthebittersoflife，andtastebutfewofitssweets，wouldnaturallyfeelattachmentandrespectforthatcodeofmorality，which，regardingthemanyhardshipsoftheirstation，strovetoalleviateitsrigours，andendeavouredtosoftenitsasperity。
ThisiswhatSundaymightbemade，andwhatitmightbemadewithoutimpietyorprofanation。ThewiseandbeneficentCreatorwhoplacesmenuponearth，requiresthattheyshallperformthedutiesofthatstationoflifetowhichtheyarecalled，andHecanneverintendthatthemoreamanstrivestodischargethoseduties，themoreheshallbedebarredfromhappinessandenjoyment。Letthosewhohavesixdaysintheweekforalltheworld’spleasures，appropriatetheseventhtofastingandgloom，eitherfortheirownsinsorthoseofotherpeople，iftheyliketobewailthem；butletthosewhoemploytheirsixdaysinaworthiermanner，devotetheirseventhtoadifferentpurpose。Letdivinessettheexampleoftruemorality：preachittotheirflocksinthemorning，anddismissthemtoenjoytruerestintheafternoon；andletthemselectfortheirtext，andletSundaylegislatorstakefortheirmotto，thewordswhichfellfromthelipsofthatMaster，whosepreceptstheymisconstrue，andwhoselessonstheypervert—’TheSabbathwasmadeforman，andnotmantoservetheSabbath。’