SUNDAY RECREATION.

Evening Star, Issue 3090, 14 January 1873, Page 3

SUNDAY RECREATION.

To the Editor. Sjr,—Who can say whether the innocent enjoyment of a trip to Port Chalmers, accorded to the imprisoned artisan on a Sunday, is more injurious to him than the delivery of some sectarian sermon, having for its effect the pecuniary advancement of a class who, however much they may depend on the faith they teach, thrust a plate under one’s nose when they want a suit of black cloth, or mon y to pay a servant girl a luxury many of their cannot afford. Full well they know that if places of public instruction and amusement wme open on Sunday, they would not be able to levy contributions, and the people would learn more in a museum of art and nature than they would from a compilation of all the sermons delivered since the days of Mahommed. We none of us know anything, but are willing to believe almost anything we don't know. Members of the re Lions profession can visit all places of interest during the week, and have only a sermon to prepare for Sunday sometimes not that. The artisan subscribes to all national improvements and works of instruction, and the only time he has the opportunity of visiting these places, which is on the Sunday, the bigotry of a portion of society denis him the rigat to do so. By what right is this done ?—An arbitrary one, which is permitted to exist, owing to the ignorance and indifference of the working-classes and others who are acquiescent for interest’s sake. Besides, to say it is sinful to visit a museum or a garden, or to ttroll along the Ocean Beach on a Sunday, is

making it a crime to look at the wonders o£ nature, and rendering a study of the works of the Great Creator of less importance than the twaddling nonsense one often listens to frum professional Christiana. If it be tbe calling of a religious enthusiast to wear a lon« face—never to catch a ball or throw a brickbat at any one, I say don’t envy those whom the Giver of Life has not placed under such foolish restrictions. For tbe benefit of mankind, or those inflicted with long ambiguous sermons, I am writing a work on the Duties of Life, adapted to the age we live in. The chief points of the work are as follow : Be loyal to any form of government winch is strongest, or you’ll be hanged. .Never strive to become rich or you will deprive your advisers of the opportunity. Be content with your condition in life, to give those who don’t believe in being contented a chance. Never kill one man—that is murder ; kill 60,000 and you will be a hero. Never let the sun go down on your auger lest you remember those who rob and otherwise injure you. Lastly, be good and follow these several inductions or you’ll be d d. If you know what that means, I don’t. —I am, &c ,

JN BWCHCAL