SUNDAY RECREATION FOR THE PEOPLE IN ENGLAND.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 267, 16 August 1872, Page 3

SUNDAY RECREATION FOR THE PEOPLE IN ENGLAND.

A great social revolution is gradually but surely taking place iu Great Britain in reference to the amusements and recreation of the people on the Sabbath day. The report of the council of the National Sunday League, which has recently been made public, contains some very interesting statistics. “ The operations,” says a - letter recently received, “ of the league during the past

> ear have included lectures a id musical entertainments at St. Georges Hall, under the title of ‘Sunday Evenings for the People,’ which have been held for 26 consecutive Sunday evening. The number of visitors had been 24,000, and the r-ceipts over £630. The success atteu ling the monthly Sunday railway excursions had been so encouraging that, during the pres nt season, commencing in May, excursions under the auspices of the league would he made every Sunday until October. Tlie mind) rof excursionists carri.-d last season had been 23,000, and thi receipts £3404.” The movement se-msio he gaining favor in the provinces, as the town council of Birmingham has resolved ny a large majority to open the Art Museum on tii*- Sunday afternoon, ami ths Liverpool I’mvn Gmncil intend to fo'l.»w iu their wake.. l.< Loudon great efforts are being m ie to have the picture and art gallei i s oj.eu to those who have only the Sabbath I 01 which to enjoy and improve tlu in- Iv.s. “The Sunday Ljague,” says another writer on tb r - su jjet, “ are persistent in their duties . : ■ ivoring to supply the working c- on>n y v : th good and wholesome recrcaii >.i ... ill- Sunday. For a long time to I gu has worked most energetically to have the museums opened on a Sunday, ami du furtherance of this object waited upou the Marquis of Ripon and Mr Forster at the Privy Council offices, to memorialise the Government in favor of the Sunday opening of the South Kensington Museum, with the celebrated Sheepshanks collection of pictures. It was urged that by the opening of the Kensington Museum, aud other such educational establishments, 011 Sunday, a great boon would be conferred upon the working classes, who had few other opportunities for mental improvement. Although,” continues the writer, “ the league were opposed to any aggravation of Sunday labor, it w.-.s contended that the adoption of this step would ben-fit the pop dation of the metropolis at large, wnile the extra number employed need be but few. Tiie movement is essentially a working-class, and only a minority—of no doubt many well-meaning people—were opposed to it. The donor of the Sheepshanks collection is entirely in favor of the scheme. With reference to the British Museum and the National Gallery some technical difficulties might arise, but there are none in the case of Kensington, where there is every facility and convenience for lighting the buildiug at night. The members of the Cabiuet, while acl nowledging the weight of the arguments adduced by Sir Charles Dilke and others promised that most serious attention should bo given to them, as the question involved certain considerations, especially the*'tone of public opinion in the matter. On one point all. seem to agree, that it would have the effect of preventing so much drunkenness as now disgraces London on the Sabbath day.” ' Call Boy.