The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-11-21
SUNDAY Amlseme1ts.

We begin to find that as populationsgrow
more dense the necessity for recreation and
diversion increases. People have to work
harder and live poorer as their numbers in
crease ssnd more decidedly need oncea week
ut least the reinvigorstion which comesfrom
the pleasure of scenes and excursions be-
yosd. the smoke Of their bouses-somcthing
q little more relaxing and inspiring than
rigid observance Of the Sabbath after the
manner of other days. In new country
where the population rs scattered there is
freedom unknown TO denser populations.
The ride to church is charming recreation.
Then the bright company of the young-an
earnest discourse from 8 pious minister-the
gsy,return trip and q delicious dinner-to-
gether with country scenes and pure eXili-
rating atmosphere-are joys the men of toll
of city life never know.
In Europe the isburing population hap
pity pass their Sun days in relaxation ss well
as rest. The church-rseplc have their hours
Of devotion, and the remainder of the day is
devoted to recreation, generally of @uescrlp.
ton that may be terH4ed innocent, land rarely
if ever interrupted by.oases Of iutoIicatioD,
such as are too often seen in this country on
the,Sabbath.
Nature demands the periodical rest from
labor, and she demands that it shall sa'or of
cheerfulness rather than solemnity. Happy
is the country of many anniversaries. The
great NAPOLEON understood the natural de-
Sor N q nd
industrious population, and he wisely en-:
couraged and provided means for supplying
&hisademand.
New Orleans got its rEabits and customs
fromF rance and Spain, and these haVe:neen
stimulated to excess blythe American i'm.
pulse and the IMssissias; .'irer. The Sun-
days there are celebrated by eXtravaga,fcies
which the greater and better part Of the
people there censure but ,cheeriulness and
innocent enjoyment contre! the greater part
of the people. They make: Sunday dayof
recreation and of rest.
New York, sobered and restrained under
the phlegmatic but kind kslsxERBocKERs and
the customs transplanted from the solid 50.
ciety of England. has been much restrained
from outward enjoyment while the victim
of tyeiled excess far more hlrtt,l than bene-
fetal. But, New York hes Broken the re-
straints, and is. demanding 4 new Sunday.
They first got the Sunday ears, as almost
every other city in this country has, and
now. they are pressing for alliIsements and
the opening OF the libraries ,on Sunday.
The more noted places of theatrical amuse-
snents have either declined to open their
doors or,haye been prohibited fram.so doing,
while theiess respectable houses have given
concerts and performances to lasge au-
dielces.
That questions wilSrow out Of these de.
mands Of the people that will very much en-
baEEass law.giyers and ahe executive officers
we.d do not dorbt. But a1ch questions gene.
rally end in concessions. e9ur own oSiaion
is that . wise State viii 4sather guide end
keep within the rules of pIonicty the nstu-
raj and irrepressible imp1Isss of men then
sndeavor to destroy thau. Too BSsh
rigor pr9Epts the spirit to ayaE.e and resist
law, and leads to ,excesses and vices that
greatly impair the gRiet and order of conat
mun;tieS Il