Sunday in Sydney.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume I, Issue 23, 18 November 1879, Page 4

Sunday in Sydney.

Sunday is a peculiar day in Sydney, writes a correspondent of the “Auckland Star. ” They appear to be trying to throw off the trammels of a pressure of strict sanctimony, and to have got a little mixed in the operation against which the clergy are fighting tooth and nail, and giving the good bites and scratches with those sharp weapons. But there is a decided movement in the way of a little less rigid Sabbatarianism. Business is of course entirely suspended, and the churches are everywhere crowded, for the clergy are using all means at their disposal in the way of preachers to attract congregations. But vast numbers are on pleasure bent. Four horse coaches drive to the favorite suburban beach resorts—South Head, Botany, Coogee. Sans Souci, and other lovely spots. The roads are lined with traps of every description—the handsome family carriage, the phaeton, the trim dog cart or buggy, and even the market cart with a family cartload. Steamboats ply down the harbor crowded with people for the marine bathing places—Manly Beach or Watson’s Bay—whither people betake themselves for a blow, a cup of coffee, a glass of drink of some description, a stroll on the lovely sea beach amongst the breakers or on the soft sand, and an agreeable blow home after a very rational afternoon, which might have been spent in a far more objectionable manner than in thus reviewing and enjoying nature’s beauties so lavishly and bountifully displayed on this lovely coast. Even the funerals seem to be made the occasion for a Sunday merry-making. On my way to the Cathedral I met a cortege taking same mortal remains to their last resting place, consisting of about sixty mourning coaches, private carriages, and handsome cabs, and the inmates seemed to be enjoying themselves thoroughly, laughing and talking, as if determined to make the most of their “outing.” Some were, I think, enjoying creature comforts ; at all events, 1 am told that this is by no means a rare occurrence.