The Press.
London, England, 1855-03-24 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

Mr. Fox likewise supported the bill. Under the
operation of the Beer Bill, he said, the recreation of
the working classes was considerably diminished, and
it was but fair to compensate them by admitting
them to the fine arts. The question was not one of
theology, but of property, for a man with money
could amuse himself on Sunday as much as he
pleased. The arts had an affinity to devotion, and
wa should raise the minds of the working classes to
the sublime and beautiful.

On the other hand, Mr. DAVIES opposed it as con-
trary to the opinion of pious persons, and Mr.
DRUMMOND on the principle that the seventh day
was due to God, and would be desecrated by the
measure.

The Marquis of BLANDFORD argued the polemical
question of the Sabbath, and then said that the
house from a very early period had passed a series
of acts, recognising the principle of Sunday observ-
ance, and passing measures for its enforcement.
The opening of Hampton court and Kew-gardens
bad led to the establishment of a multitude of public-
houses.

Mr. KINNA/RD urged, against the motion, that it
would end in the general habit of employing the
artisan 'or seven days and paying him for six.
Mr. G. BALL urged that instruction, when needed
by the working man, could be better had from Sun-
day-schools and Bible teachers.
Mr. A. PELLATT proposed as an amendment that
the Museum, instead of being opened on Sundays,
should be opened on Saturdays and Mondays for the
use of the working class.
Mr. GOULBURN, as one of the trustees of the
Museum, replied that the Museum was at present
open on ondays ; that on Saturday it was closed
to be cleaned, but that he would see it it could not be
opened on that evening. If the principle of Sunday
opening were admitted it must he extended through-
out the country. As to keeping people from the
public-house, we had no right to encourage one sin
to prevent another. Parties would be formed from a
distance to see the Museum, so that the whole day
would be thus spent. Besides, how were they to
compel the presence of the Museum attendant on
the Sunday.

Lord PALMERSTON said that as the religious ob-
servance of the Sabbath was preserved, so were the
people more moral and well conducted. The precise
degree of that observance must be left to every man's
conscience, the Legislature could not define it :
But when a matter is brought before Parliament with
regard to which it is known that the religious feelings of
the community are deeply engaged, it is highly inexpe-
dient that it should set itself in opposition to what is the
general feeling of the people—a feeling which is founded
upon the best principles, and which ought to be carefully
respected. I hold Parliament to be doing a very injudi-
cious act if by any expression of its opinions, by resolu-
tion, or by any act of its own, it should teach the country
to think that it is less careful of those principles which
ought to govern and regulate the conduct of the commu-
nity than the great mass of the community itself.
Upon these grounds he felt, bound to oppose the
motion.

After Mr. BA:Rnow had expressed his desire to see
the Museum opened on the Saturday,

Sir J. WALMSLEY offered to withdraw his motion,
but was prevented by the house, and on a division
his motion was lost by 235 to 48.