New-York daily tribune., 1857-10-02

The question Of the rigid or lax observance of the
seventh day Of the week continues to ferment vsib!
in the minds of the EnsliIh people. During the
late general election, amid the glare and hubbub Of
the Russian and Chinese war controversies, the
ballot reform Of Parliament, the budget, and other
brobdgnsean topics, this difficult question
contriyed to make itself heard rather fire..
quenty, ard to annoy election committees
and hustings orators. In the late Cardwell
and Tbackeray struggle for the representation
of the City of Oxford, the latter, standing on
that eminently ecclesiastical soil, took ground EN-.
pbatcally for apeasure-going Sabbath-the former
for devotional Sabbath. The victory on that occa-
sitn went with the Sabbatarians, it is true but
very narrowly; and considering that Oxford is the
stronghold of ecclesiastical influence, the triumph
may well be deemed Pyrrhic one.
Two Summers ago Sunday league was formed
in London by knot Of Liberals and atitadinarians
for the purpose of breaking down the predominant
mode Ct observing the Sabbath. In the ensuing
session Of Parliament it prevailed upon Sir Joshua
Walmsley to bring in a motion to authorize the
opening of the British Museum, the Sydenham
Crystal Palace, and other places Of public resort,
on the usual day Of rest Lord Stanley favored the
idea, ard spoke and voted with the motion; but
Lord PalmerstOn opposed it on the ground that
public sentiment decidedly against the PROPOSE
ton, and i! was not wise rudely to shock opinions
entertained by q large majority.
Sunday band playing, however, has been the bone
Of contention around which the fercest and
nCst perseyerng controversy has ragged. The
Queen had her Sunday band at Windsor discours-
ipg music not sacred on that day. In the Sum.
mer Of 1555 two military bands played for the edi-
fcation Of TJburnia in Remington Garden. On
Sunday afternoon in the following year, Sir
Benjamin Hall sent military bands to play to the
people in peoples parks. Provincial cities fol-
lowed tie example of the metropolis, and profane
echo Of ,cornet .pistoos and trombones sounded
Throughout the land The Sabbath party a. once
acted with comnendable promptitude, vigor and
unanimity. The ATchb shop of Canterbury wrote
letter to the Premier, aud orthodoxy tgain
achieved a victory. The Hyde Park, Regents
Park, Victoria Park and KeDsingtOn Garden bands
were dhcont;nned, ard Sir Benjamin Hall was hum
bed. The matter did not end here however
public subscription supplied the place Of tie Gov
errDent band, by civil mercensries, aud SIR BepJa-
min Hail ATTENDED these entertainments and enjoyed
the intOxcation of the hour. Yet the popular ef-
forts of 1856 lacked stamina, and after two or
three performances the peoples music collapsed.
TIE Autumn Of 1856 fouLd the Sabbatarians in
posse,sitn of the whole field ard in position apps
reDty stronger than ever. The Summer just ended
has, however, redressed the balance. When the
6Le weather ;et in, Committees we're formed by
the LcrdoLers, ard subscriptions we're solicited for
furnishing cpeIatc nu,ic IN Che public parks on
Sunday. Tue movement was highly successful;
balds have p!syed continuously throughout the Sum
nsr tte popular ta.te mas accustomed itssf to the
diversion, and On Sunday, August %, 1879 per.
sOns entered Regents Park during the perform
tnee Ct the peoples subscription bands, and 9,65i
Itre present in Victoria Park.
Iii needless to say ttst the srti Ssbbasarian, Of
tie provinces have taisa ieagS sssin ssd ars going