New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-12-18
THE SUNDAY LEAGUE IN ENGLAND.

Petition Joy De speni.0 Of Mu'euzs Picture Gauerie. and
BOtos,eaI GARDEN throughout ne United Kn9d'm
" Your petitioners take It for granted that museums
and otter collections Of similar character are es alb
shed for the instruction and moral improvement Of the
people and that In proportion such institutions
II ade available for popular instruction do they fulfill
the purposes Of their origin.
That the labOrs ard necessary avocators Of the
great body Of the community leave little or no oppor-
tunity OF visiting such institutions curing the week
when they are open TO the public and hence that the
main object of their formation is lost TO those whom
hey are intended TO benefit
"The Sunday, as a day Of rest and leisure when the
thoughts Of men, released from the sngrossng labor
OF mere existence turn naturally 10 the beauties OF the
unvt and 10 its Creator is the time most fitted for
the exercise Of the reflective fscutes and your pst-
TONERS being firmly convinced that all true educ son
must tend 10 the and love of the Deity be-
Eeve that if such Institutions as above enumerated
were open 10 the people Sunday afternoon it would
be an inesmabe boon 20 the laboriDg population
would raise up opposing principle 10 int importance
and immortality, and in every way advance the condi-
ten of the people.
your petitioners therefore pray tina. all restrictions
and lmpediments may be removed, 30 that museums,
picture galleries. botanical gardens, and similar col
leciions generally Of paochial or municipal founda-
tons throughout The United Kingdom, be opened to
the public on Sunday afternoon
4" Ard your petitioners will ever pray, &C."
Petition or The opening Of the Crystal Palace Sunday a.
:" The petition of the undersigned sboweth:
"T That among all classes Of her Msjestys subjects
there is felt to be necessity for providing of
healthful and innocent recreation On Sunday in
manner consistent with the religious feelings of the
people.
"Thst after lsboripg hard for six Days in the week
il rest but wearnees and vexeton, for the work
iIgman TO be confined on Sunday TO the scenes and
crcumsaI ces Of bis accustomed toll; and that while
the rich have ample facilities st their disposal there is
Ian entable deficiency of of relax alton adapted
TO the physical, intellectual and moral needs of the
families of the poor
NIhat the (ryltal Palace snlandid in IA arrhi-
lecture rich in s accumul alton Of natural and art
fetal objects Of extraordinary beauty and interest,
and with s heathful and magnificent gardens, affords
the nobes provision for the recreation Of the people
which any age hath seen; and your petitioners be-
lieve that the opening of this great institution Sun
day afternoon would have the bappiest and most
beneficial effect aud would be an nestimable boon to
the working population, whose imperative duties will
not permit them TO devote any portion OF the week TO
whiting it without very heavy pecunary loss, which
they cannot afford.
|Your petitioners therefore pray that your honora
be bouse will effect such changes in the law may
enable the CIR stall Palace Company to open that
institution Sunday afternoon.
"ALd our petitioners will ever pray, &C."
Petition for he opening # me British Museum the National
tions to Ae public on Sunday afternoon:
"The petition of the undersigned showeth:
"That the Britsh Museum the National Gallery,
Marlborough House. and other collections OF arr and
natural objects being the property OF the nation and
maintained at the public expense, should be readily
accessible 10 the people.
THAT under the present arrangement the great ms
ority Of the people are unable to profit by the means
OF il stuction there accumulated for their
You petitioners believe that if the above institu.
tiOps opened to the people on Sunday afternoon
they would render invaluable aid to public insruc
ton greatly lessen the nducement to seek objectona
bic means OF relaxation and by providing Innocent
and healthful recreation, more efec.ualy render the
Sunday day Of rest for the millions who toll through
out the week.
$50 far from leading to an increase In the hours of
labor, has been objected, your petitioners believe
that which they prey for 10y giving TO the people
knowledge of the benefits arising from instruc ion and
intellectual recreationl would have an exactly eppo-
site tendency.
Your petitioners are fally persuaded that, 90 ftr
from operating to the dehment of true religion such
proceeding would largely tend TO its promotion mas
much as by rendering the lessons Of nature and OF art
accessible TO the people trey would be taught more
deeply because inteligeDtly, to reverence the
Cies'Or.
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 O;her national collections be
opened for public inspection on Sundsy afternoon.
=" And your petitioners will ever pray, &c.