The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-04-18 00:00:00

EASTER MONDAY.

The Easter religious observances are, in many instances,
regarded as the prelude to secular festivities, and as such
are looked forward to with anxiety by the great mass of
the population. It has, of late years particularly, been too
much the fashion to decry the sports and pastimes by which
our fathers used to enliven their minds and invigorate
their bodies. " Festivals," says Southey, " when duly
observed, attach men to the civil and religious institutions
of their country; it is an evil, therefore, when they fall
into disuse. A holiday that has been spent in an agreeable
and rational manner has an invigorating effect, and the
anticipated holiday is still more animating ; besides, un-
ceasing toil is injurious, and an excess of labour, like all
other excesses, is mischievous, and destroys the power of
labouring." Few men were more capable of judging on
such a subject, and still fewer were capable of giving a
good opinion on it than the sound-hearted, clear-headed
Dr. Southey, and his opinion, therefore, carries with it
great authority. In all countries such festivals are held
more or less in repute, and Easter Monday, in most parts
of England, is a day devoted to out-of-door festivities.
Yesterday, as for many previous weeks, the weather was
of the most genial description; balmy sunshine and light
breezes contributing much to the enjoyments of the day.
Special trains were run on the London and North-Western
Railway, and these brought about 2,500 pleasure-seekers
from the surrounding country, who, disposing themselves
among the numerous objects of interest to be met with in
town, contributed in no small degree to swell the gay
throngs which crowded our principal streets. The Derby
Museum was an object of especial and gratifying attention.
The Docks, with their countless shipping, constituted no
small portion of the wonders by which strangers were
attracted ; and the river steamers, by their cheapness,
celerity of transit, and excellent accommodation, were
favourites with our resident population no less than with
their visitors and friends. In short, pleasure excursions
and pleasure parties being the order of the day, every
facility for their convenience was put into active operation,
and jollity and good humour ruled generally among all
classes. The Zoological and Botanical Gardens, the Parks
and suburban villages, were all crowded, and, so far as we
have been able to learn,
" All went merry as a marriage bell."

The Theatres, never behind in times of merry-making,
have been busy, and re-opened, after brief recesses, with
renewed decorations and increased attractions. In Wil-
liamson-square, the Theatre Royal presented to its fre-
quenters the re-appearance of Miss Cushman as Mrs.
Haller, in " The Stranger ;" and the Royal Amphitheatre
was once more radiant with the splendid scenic effects of
" The Butterfly's Ball," and what some parties, at least,
will not fail to regard as of still more importance, a
crowded and well-pleased auditory. The Park and Adelphi
Theatres, also, displayed with success their varied allure-
ments. Mr. Coleman, at Clayton-hall, delighted his
friends and numerous patrons with his excellent enter-
tainment of Masks and Faces.