The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-02-22 00:00:00

SHAVING ON THE SABBATH

Mu. Rosauca Inquired as to the truth of the statement, that
the magistrates of Oldham had fined a man 5s for shaving another
on the Sunday.

Sir G. Gasi said he had not heard of the circumstance referred to.
I` the hon. member had given notice of the question, he would h, ve
made inquiries on the subject.

THE SABBATH QUESTION.

Sir J. WALMSLRY then moved the following revolution :
" That, in the opinion of this House it would promote the
moral and intellectual improteMetit of the working classes
of this metropolis, if the collections of natural history and of
art in the British Museum, and the National Gallery, Were
open to the public inspection after morning service on Su•days."
The hon, member urged that the working erases were'
at present
precluded from visiting the institutions referred to, and that if they
ha an opportunity c f atte, ding theta the s el l condition of their
families would be improved, 'they would be kept from other and
Less d,gnified pieces of amusement, and this would tend to the im-
provement a el development of thnir natural talents, without pre-
venting them from attendinv d'vine service, at least once in the clay,
The Fine Arts Commission had advocated the openine of the
National Gallery and British Museum on Sundays, and after th t
there would be no difficulty in acceding to the pr rsition.
Sir J. Suanucv seconded the resolution, remarking upon the
inconsistency of the Legislature in refusing to open places of
instruction on the Sabbath, while they allowed excursion trips to
run, ttereby sanctioning the employment of engine-drivers and
stokers. There had been a number of petitions presented against
the resolution. but he was aware that a letter had been sent from
London to every clereyman throughout the country against the
measure, and the persons who signed those proposals, were those
who had no reason for visiting the British Museum or National
Gallery on the Sabbath, hut he majority of working men who Were at
work six days in the week. approved of the r roposition. If they
rejected the motion, he c tiled upon them to act consistently. and
close the Palace, and stop the bands playing at Windsor and Ben-
siturton on the Sabbath.
Mr. A. PELLATT apprehended that the measure would interfere
with the observance of the Sabbath, and he was of opinion that if
the question were subm'tted to working men, they would decide
against it. he hon. member quoted several authorities in s Ippon
of his views, and concluded by moving the following amendment:
"That, in the opinion of this House, more frequent opportunities
should be afforded for week-day inspection of the National Gallery.
Public Museums, and Works of Art; also, that the British Museum
should be opened five days in the week, and especially on Mon lays
and Saturdays, these days being more convenient for the working
classes t'
Af

AXTER wished' to Itz,ow where it was inten‘le i to stip if
this motion were caul, d, and urged that if this House sanctioned a
desecration of the Sabbath in one case, they n ight be called up-n
to extend it t exhibitions of sll descriptions. Hecoitend d trom
the number of petitions which had been presented on the subject,
that !the feeling f the country uas against the purport of the
motion, and though he would have prefarre i to see the motion met
by a direct negative, he cord'ally secon; ed the amendment.
Mr. MURROUGEI believed that.so far from leading to a desecration,
this motion would lead to a mote decorous observance of the
Sabbath.

Mr CROSSLEY opposed the motion, observing that it would be
better to draw the line which it prop /Bed between times for devo-
tion and times for employment. In New York there were no
omnibuses running, no cabs on the stand, and no gin shops open
to tempt people in, whereas in the Southern States all days were
observed alike.

Lord STANLEY remarked that no harm could result from the
adoption of this resolution. which was only permissive, and not
compulsory. The legislature was unable to compel the people
to ad pt their oninioa, but by closing places of instruction
and amusement, they could compel an outward observance of the
Sabbath, and it was this compulsory motion that he objected to.
The n hie lord quoted several questions in support of his views,
and argued that if they negatived this motion, they could not con.
sistently allow excursion trains to run, vehicles to pass through
the streets, or even leave parks open to the public. With regard to
the arguments that the working men would be placed in a worse
position by the adoption of this proposition, and be employed seven
days instead of six, he did not believe that such a state of thin
could exist in this country. The workman was sufficiently
undesr
the influence of his employers to prevent it.
NAPIER stated that if the partial desecrationtof the Sabbath
till the Lord's day had
were allowed, there would be no stopping
ceased to be kept. He looked upon the Sabbath day as a rat. ral
Christian institu ion, and the state of other countries aff.rded
examples of the results of allowing its desecration. In Paris, for
instance, Sunday was a day of disaipation t : the plea ure seeker,
and of profit to the grasping shopkeeper. He looked upon It in
a religious t oint of view, shew ng from Scripture that the Sab
bath hat y been u,ed for acts of mercy and religion. He
calle i upon the house to reject the motion before it.
Mr. Harwoon ohset ved that of Tll the petitions presented, not
one had been presented from Scientific men, who made no objection
to opening the Surrey Zool i al or the Zoological Gardens in
Regent's Park on the Sabbath. "
Mr. CAIRNS said if there were no commandment, he should feel
at a loss how to argue the question, but there was a commandment
distinctly given, about which there could be no doubt. He opposed
the motion.

Lord EBItINOTON supported the mot;on.l
Mr: F. BALL also opposed the resolution.
Mr ViTiottkM regretted that no member of her Majesty's Govern-
ment had thought it necessary to make any remarks on the su' je t.
He opposed the rroti n. as also did Lord Palmerston and Mr. Muntz.
Ma. A. PELLATT then withdrew his amendment.
Sia J. WALMSLEY replied, that if the votes were taken by the
ballet, he should b in a very duff. rent portion.
The House then divided, t, c Ncs. were for the motion 48;
against it 376; majority 328. _

, .
-The other bust .ess on the paper was disposed of, and the House
adjourned ahortly after eleven o'clock.