The Express.
London, England, 1865-12-07 00:00:00

THE SUNDAY OBSERVANCE QUESTION.

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Yesterday evening a public meeting of work-
leg men of South London wee held .t the Lambeth
Baths, under the presidency of Mr. G. M. MURPHY, to rr
mini a report from the deputation to Earl Granville, on
November 7.1. in reference to the misrepresentations of the
Sunday Lagos.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, alluded to
an advertisement which had nem published by the Sunday
League, which advertisement alleged that the working
elutes were universally, in favour of opening the British
Museum and other public places which were supported by
taxes levied on the people on Snodays. That advertisement's
allegation he controverted, and proceeded to narrate the
Xlircanwtaness attending the recent deputation of the work•
lag men of South London to Earl Granville, as also the par.
ticulars of Mr. Baxter Langley's deputation to the same
noble earl, all which, however, bare already been published.
MZ. BA !LT= LANNI.= interrupted the promedings, and
demanded a hearing on the ground that the commostancee
which the chairman were recapitulating were not accurately

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The CHAIRMAN denied the right of Mr. Langley to be
heard unless be could show that the statement which he
(Mr. Murphy) wee reading contained something that war
untrue an regarded him (Mr. Langley.)
The meeting inded unanimously with the chairman,
and Mr. Langley resumed his seat.
The CHAIRMAN next proceeded to read at length a report
of a recent meeting of ,the Sunday League, the object of
which society was to refute the statements of the South
London deputation to Earl Granville, namely, that the
working classes were not in favour of a Sunday opening of
the British Museum. Finally, Mr. Murphy read • volumi-
nous oorruporidence which bad pleased between him and
Mr. B. Langley respecting the hire of the baths for • Sus-
day League meeting. The result of that correspoeduce
was, that Mr. G. M. Murphy declined to give Mr. Langley
and his friends the use of the Lambeth Baths. From all
the documents read the chairman concluded that the Sun.
slay League bad erroneously asserted themselves to repre-
sent the working men of London in claiming the Sunday
opening of our public exhibitions, and that the true senti-
mute of the Loudon working men were hostile to Suaday
opening. (Cheers.)
Mr. G. PRITCHARD, shoemaker, moved the following
reeolutiou :—" The foregoing statements and correspond-
ence prove—l. That the working men's deputation,
Nov. 23, from the south of London to Earl Granville did
not emanate from any sabbstariao society, nor from any
member of such society. 2. That the deputation did sot
put forward sham representatives of the trades. 3. That
the representations of the deputation from South London
were as hoeourabfy and provably true as those of
the previous Sunday League deputation were audaciously
false. 4. That the grossest deception that can be exposed
at the meeting at St Martin's-hall, will be the National
Sunday League itself, and the abettor. of their mendacity.
B. That it will be more advantageous to the interests of .the
working classes in every respect to have the British Museum
acid national collections open on the week days than on the
Sabbath days." The speaker contended generally
that the attempt to obtain the opening of public
institutions on Sunday must lead to the general
desecration of the Sabbath, and probably to making
the working man's week of labour consist of seven
days instead of six. The necessity of violating the Sabbath
was the lees imperative because to his certain knowledge,
the hatters and other working men were in the habit of
making holidays of Mondays and Tuesdays. (Laughr.)
Be was warmly ie favour of opening the museum on week
days.
Mr. BOOKER, house-painter, seconded the resolution.
He claimed emphatically to be a working man, seeing that
he had commenced working at seven years of age, and had
only left off at five that evening. (Cheers aril laughter.)
He was entirely opposed to the Sunday League movement.
On the CHAIRMAN rising to put the resolution,
Mr. B. LANGLEY soda attempted to obtain aweng, sod
a scene of considerable confusion arose, persons
sheering Mr. Langley, whilst others as vehemently op.
peed his being heard.
The CHAIRIIIN was of opinion that he had no locus
ataniL Finally the question was put to the show of Lands,
when there was as overwhelming majority against bearing
Mr. Langley.
Mr. LANGLEY demurred to the decision, and the show
of bands was again taken, when the numbers seemed to be
mach more equal.
Mr. HAMS, a working man. came to the platform and de-
smocied Mr. Murphy se a paid City missionary, and not a
working man.
The CHAIRMAN said the speaker was wrong on two points.
He (Mr. Murphy) we. not a paid City missionary, and he
had not described himself as a working man.
Mr. lIAINS continued to address the meeting amid great
none and interruption, contending that the South London
deputation did not represent the working min of London
generally. He suggested that to test the question a meet-
tag should be convened, et which every trade should be
represiested by a full delegation.
After some further rather noisy discussion, the resolution
was oarried with only six dissentients.
gasmood resolution, providing that the first should be
fairenied to Earl Granville, having also been carried, the
proceedings terminated.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. —The inter-
national exhibition at fruit' sad vegetables will be *posed
at the South Kensington Gardens op Saturday. The foreign
sehibitors are numerous, and every quarter of the globs ap-
pears likely to he represented. Nova Scotia weds a contri-
bution from OOP hemisphere, his Highness the first Prince
of Travancore from the other; Australis, Denmark, Malta,
be., Sr. not bekiedband. A considerable number of gold
medals will be awarded on the occasion. With regard to
the Monsters Delicious, shown on Tuesday last at the
society's scientific meeting, it was Lady Dorothy Nevill, and
not Mr. Veitcb, who exhibited this rare fruit.
SMITHFIELD CLUB CATTLE SHOW.—This exhibi-
tion will be a fair average one in numbers, sod above the
aversive in quality, at the exposes of the various provincial
shows, for the simple reason that the prizes offered by the
club are so large that the exhibitors, compelled by recent
stringent regulations to select and can6ne themselves to olio
show, prefer that at the Agricultural•hall to Birmingham
and other county displays. To the visitors it will be as
&demi age that the ball will sot he crowded by cattle. The
feliowinx list will show that there will be sudiment in each
class to satisfy the most enthusi•atie amateur in stock.
Beasts, 20i—vir., 82 Deems, 26 Herefords, 48 shorthorn*.
51 of Norfolk, Suffolk, arid Suess breeds. 29 Scotch and 19
extra stock of various breeds. Sheep, 344—via.. 115
weaned, 184 short woolled, and 45 cross Weds. Pigs, L.W.
This is the last lay by the rules for the admission of
implements, and in thasequerice throughout the whole of
yesterday the approaches to the Agricultural hall wore
sly thronged by vehicles conveying the large &pi-
etism eagles' and other sanohinim to their

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