The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-07-17
The Connecticut Blue Laws.

LII all old copy of the Northamptonshire
Connecticut) Spy, published in 1887 appears
nearly a column of the blue laws of Connec-
ticu., among them are the following, which
sound very strange to people who enjoy SO
.luch liberty ON the first day of the week as
we do: ono one shall travel, cook victuals,
make beds, sweep house, cut hair or shave on
the Sabbath day, or walk in the garden or
elsewhere, except reverently to and from
meeting. No woman shall kiss her children on
the Sabbath or fasting day. No minister shall
keep school Whoever wears clothes trim
med with god, silver, or bone or lace, above
two shillings per yard, shall be presented to
the grand jurors and the selectmen shall tax
the offender at $500 estate. No one shall read
common prayers, keep Christmas or set-days,
make minced pies, dance, play cards, or play
on any instrument of music except the drum,
trumpet and jewsharp. No gospel minister
shall join peop in marriage the magistrates
only shall join in marriage, as they may do it
with less scandal to Christ's Church. When
parents refuse their children Convenient mar
riage, the magistratessh shall determine the point
No man shall court a maid in person or by
letter without first obtaining consent Of her
parents; e5 penalty for the first offence, e1O
for the second, and for the third, Imprisonment
during the pleasure of the court, Married per-
sons must live together or be imprisoned. Ev-
cry male shall have his hair cut round, accor-
| ding to a cap.
A GREAT EDlToR,--A future generation
may, perhaps, enjoy memoirs Of some of the
| great editors who, in the course of the present
century, have raised the political press to a
! power in the State. Common and natural is
| the curiosity to penetrate the mystery of the
thunder of the London Times, but discreetly
and thoroughly has that mystery been preserv-
| ed. We know the names OF Walter, Steddart,
Barnes, Sterling and Delane; but of their mode
of working and associates, little, certainly.
Thomas Barnes, under whose editorship the
| Times became the greatest of newspapers, was
born in 1885, and was educated as a Blue-coat
boy. From Christ's Hospital he went to Cam
bridge; after which, returning to London, he
entereda as student for the bar at the Temple.
He shortly after wrote series of critical essays
upon English poets and novelists for paper
called The Champion, in which he manifested
an eminent degree of power and. taste The
| Champion became very popular in conse-
quence, and large demand for it sprung up.
Barnes was compelled to have a table, with
paper, pens and ink, placed at his bedside,
and rise every morning at o'clock, In order
to satisfy the demands made upon him, and
dash off the articles so much coveted by the
reading public. Afterwards, he addressed
number of letters to the Times, on the men
and events of the day, which proved so salts
factory that Mr.. Walter employed him, first
as reporter, and then as editor tits said that
Barnes wrote but few leaders, and employed
his skill 10 appointing subjects for able writers,
and in trimming and ia simplifying their pro-
/ ductions His life ofincessant labor was closed
by premature death. After long suffering
from ltone, he was operated upon by Lissten;
but his system, sapped by dissipation, and
worn down by mental toll and bodily pain,
gave way, and he died on the 7th OF May,
1s4e, at the age of fQrty-six.