The Sun.
London, England, 1855-11-23 00:00:00

„,,,,isrstssmesrossiose.--ssyssissssitir
judgment displayed in the arrangernBtitt4rnacit3
Superintendent Hughes for clearing the rails by the
Drive in Hyde Park, but that considerable and un-
necessary violence was committed by the police on
perfectly inoffensive persons. A similar judgment is
delivered with reference to the occurrences in Park-
' street at a later period of the day, where, it is said,
' there was "serious injury to um:landing indi-
viduals,” and a " discreditable exercise of violence."
The conduct of Superintendent Hughes has been
specifically censured, although Sir George Grey has
contented himself with administering a severe
reprimand, and has not recommended the still
graver punishment of suspension or dismissal, upon
the ground of the Superintendent's long and
faithful services in the force. The conduct of
some among the constables has been especially
denounced by the Commissioners—some of them
have been even selected as fit subjects for indict-
ment and criminal proceedings. We would, how-
ever, by no means wish to leave upon the minds
of as many of our readers as may not have the
patience to peruse the report for themselves the
impression that it is entirely unfavourable to the
police. So far from this, the Commissioners speak
with well-merited praise of the vast majority of
the police force engaged in Hyde-park on the ist
of July. The service required of them was of file
most harassing and irritating kind. They were;
at the critical moment and at the critical spot, in_
sufficient in point of numbers, and were very badly
handled. The condition of the cell at the Vine.
street station, in which many of the prisoners made
by the police were confined, is most severely cen-
sured. For fear of exaggeration, we will adopt
the very language of the report upon this point :
"It was impossible to hear the evidence of the
witnesses who underwent this infliction without
being surprised and shocked at the sufferings to
which they were subjected." Forty-three persons
were immured in a basement cell 25 feet in length
by 8 in breadth, the height being 7 feet 10 inches.
Ten persons were ultimately removed, but still 33
were left to endure the intolerable hardship 'of
confinement during a long night in such a locality.
Nineteen persons were even condemned to pass a
second night in this horrid den, and, as a natural
consequence, the health of some among them has
suffered permanent injury. The conduct of the
police at this point of the transaction was perfectly
inexcusable, and is considered so by the Commis-
sioners and the Home Secretary.
On the whole, the report of the Commissioners
is our full justification for having urged forward
this inquiry in July last.
_NATIONAL SUNDAY LEAGUE.

With a view to facilitate the co operation of the pub-
lic in the action of the Sunday League, its committee
have prepared three forms of petition, general and spe-
cial, of which we subjoin copies. In their prospectus
the committee say :—" It is not anticipated that the re-
sults of this movement will be confined to metropolitan
institutions only. The inhabitants of our large towns
have also their museums, their picture galleries, and
botanical gardens ; and it is pre=utned that the impetus
once given in London, its effects will be felt to the re-
motest corners of the empire. The support of the pro-
vincial seats of industry to the metropolitan movement
will be the surest means of completing an undertaking
which claims for itself the title of National.'"
The following are the petitions referred to
"Petition for the opening of Museums, Picture Galle•
ries, and Botanical Gardens throughout the United
Kingdom on Saturday afternoon.
" Yt,ur petitioners take it for granted that museums
and other c-llectious of a similar character are established
for the instruction anti moral improvement of the people ;
and that in proportion as such in-titutions are made
available for popular education do they fulfil the pur-
poses of their origin.
"That the labours and necesF-ary avocations of the
great body of the community leave little or no opportu-
sity of visiting such institutions during the week, when
they ara open to the public, and hence the main object
of ttieir formation is lost to those whom they are in-
tended to benefit.

" The Sunday, as a day of rest and pleasure, when
the thoughts of men, released from the engrossing la-
bour of mere existence, turn naturally to the beauties of
the universe and to its Creator, is the time most fitted
fir the exercise of the reflective faculties ; and your pe-
titioners being firmly convinced that all true education
must tend to the reverence and love of the Deity, be-
' hey, that if such institutions as above enumerated were
open to the people on Sunday afternoon, it would be
an inestimable boon to the labouring population, would
raise up an opposing principle to intemperance and im-
morality, and in every way advance the condition of the
people.

"Your petitioners therefore pray that all restrict ions
and impediments may be removed, ro that mu,eurns,
picture galleries, botanical gardens, and similar collec-
tions generally of parochial or municipal foundations
throughout the United Kingdom, be opened to the pub-
lic on Sunday afternoon.
" And your petitioners will ever pray, &c."
" Petition for the opening of the Crystal Pattce on Sun-
day afternoon :

" Tile petition of the undersigned showeth :
" That among all classes of her Majesty's sutjects
there is felt to be a necessity for providirg means of
healthful and innocent recreation on Sunday, in a man-
ner consistent with the religious feelings of the people.
" That after labouring hard for six days in the week,
it is no rest, but weariness and vexation, for the work-
ing-man to be confined on Sunday to the scenes and cir-
cumstances of his accustomed toil ; and that while the
rich have ample facilities at their disposal, there is a
lamentable deficiency of means of relaxation adapted to
the physical, intellectual, and moral needs of the fami-
lies of the poor.

" That the Crystal Palace, so splendid in its architec-
tecture, so rich in its accumulation of natural and arti-
ficial objects of extraordinary beauty and interest, and
with its healthful and magnificent gardens, affords the
noblest provision for the recreation of the people which
any age bath seen ; and your petitioners believe that the
opening of this great institution on Sunday afternoon
would have the happiest and most beneficial effect, and
would be an inestimable boon to the waking popula-
tion, whose imperative duties will not permit them to
devote any portion of the week to visiting it without a
very heavy pecuniary loss, which they cannot affGrd.
" Your petitioners therefore pray that your honour-
able house will effect any changes in the law as may en-
abl© the Crystal Palace Company to open that institu-
tion on Sunday afternoon.
" And your petitioners will ever pray, &e., &c."
" Petition for the opening of the Briti-h Museum, the
National Gallery, Marlborough-house, and other na-
tional institutiona to the public on Sunday afternoon :
" The petition of the undersigned showeth :
" That the British Museum, the National Gallery,
Marlborough-house, and other collections of art and
natural objets, being the property of the nation, and
maintained at the public expense, should be readily
accessible to the people.
" That under the present arrangement the great ma•
jerity of the people are unable to profit by the means of
instruction there accumulated for their use.
" Your petitioners believe that if the above institutions
were opened to the people on Sunday afternoon they
would render invaluable aid to public instruction,
greatly lessen the inducement to seek objectionable
means of relaxation, and by providing innocent
andnday
healthful recreation, more effectually render the Sunday
a day of rest for the millions who toil throughoutu the
week.
to ptehe
" So far from leading to an incretaitsieonienr,t,hbeeliheovuertshaot
labour, as has been objected, your f
people a know.
which they pray for (by gi g
ledge of the benefits arisingv froman ienxsatreuticytioopnpaosLidteirte,tonl:
lectual recreation) would have
dency.
fully persuaded that, so far
Your petitiontehree
tt e
daerterimen of true religion, such a
would le egl e
eyowtneoenudel
would
obnieatstutparreuo,m,ahnodtioonf promotion, inasmuch
same ue
ec3h.
from operating to
t more deeply,
inengptletelbsliegtheeenystly, to reverence the Creator.
proceeding
sba siebc.i:btyiti et n
moreh de epr
poop
Your petitioners therefore pray that, in order to
promote the moral and intellectual improvement of the
people, the British Museum, the National Gallery,
Marlborough House, and other national collections, be
opened for public inspection on Sunday afternoon.
And your petitioners will ever pray, &c."