The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1883.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4586, 15 September 1883, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1883.

The subject of profitably enjoying Sunday, from an intellectual point of view, formed the matter of an article appearing in our columns a short time since, and with, a view of further advocating the cause of education and enlightenment we again refer to it. We endeavored then to point out the many advantages to be derived from the opening of literary institutions on Sunday afternoon, and made an effort to prove that considerable benefit would be gained by a large section of the community were they given an opportunity to peruse the newspaper literature of the day. Too much stress cannot be laid upon the fact that for want of something better to do, our growing colonist is developing into a very undesirable individual, and the population of which he is to form a part will have a very sorry , {addition to it when he has matured, unless some effort be made to alter the current of his thoughts and bring a little culture to bear on his mind, which is now inclined to run somewhat weedy. The occupation of Sunday afternoon and evening is, to the youth of the colony generally, a great responsibility, judging by the hesitating manner in which he deals with the various means of improving these times. Listlessly strolling about without any appa^ rent purpose, or dropping into the various kinds of mischief so prolific in the unmatured mind, are not advantageous means of killing that time whkh seems to hang so heavily on his hands. There can be no doubt in the minds of any reasonable —not to say deeply thinking—man that; intellectual recreation would prove an antidote for the psychological deficiences of the coming generation. Therefore, we would urge that the local reading room be opened for a few. hours every Sunday, and thus enable many, who cannot at other times attend it, to make use of its contents. Not only in the interest of the growing population can reasons be urged for such a • proceeding; but, the working man, whose daylight is occupied by labor, and whose evenings are generally spent in the bosom of his family, could avail himself of what is now djenied to him. We would urge the authorities to see that the contents of the reading room are thus placed at the disposal of those who contribute to its support, not only on account of the moral effect likely to result, but.to give an opportunity—to those desirous of embracing it—of using in their leisure that which they help to provide.