The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1889-11-21
How the Sabbath is Observed in
Toronto, Ont.
A PAPER BY MR.. HUGH INNEs.

Sabbath day in Toronto, Canada,
and l will now endeavor to do so as
observed it during a residence in
that place of two years, from 1886
to 1888.
Toronto, the Capital of Ontario,
or Upper Canada, as it was formerly
called, is a most beautiful city Of
about 10000 inhabitants, situated
on the north shore of Lake Ontario.
It is noted for its educational insti-
tutions, churches, beautiful bay, love-
ly drives, parks, ravines and island,
but above all it is noted throughout
the Dominion of Canada for its OBJ
servance Of the Sabbath day and is
called the city on the hill" It's
churches are said to be among the
finest on the continent and number
100, or about one for every 1900 or
1900: few o. them have a seating
capacity OF less than 700, and some
of them can seat nearly 5000 peo-
pie All of them are we'll filled at
morning and evening services, in
fact, pew holders have to be there in
good time at both services if they
expect to occupy them.
There are I3o saloons and hotels
in the City-exaCtly the same num-
Der as of churches-but these sa
looms might as we'll be 100 miles
away, as not one drop of liquor of
any kind can be bought or given
away by either front or back door
from 7 p. m. on Saturday till 7 a. m.
Monday, and strange as it may APP
pear, the saloon keepers themselves
are as anxious to observe the law in
this respect as are those who made
it, and verify believe that were the
question of saloon or no saloon sub
mitted to vote of the whole people
of Toronto tomorrow there would
not be a single saloon inside the city
limits-and they are just as strict in
all the hotels, although I believe
guests can be supplied with what
they want in their rooms, but in no
other way, Cigar stores are all
closed and smokers must lay in a
supply on Saturday night, or go
without till Monday. Drug stores
are. the same with reference to every
thing they sell but medicines, which
can be obtained during one hour in
the afternoon, all the rest of the day
they are closed Every other store
is closed during the whole day; in
fact, you can buy nothing in Toronto
on Sunday. Even milk wagons are
not seen on the streets during the
day. In very warm weather the
mYlkman makes his rounds before 6
in the morning With the excep-
tion Of people going to and coming
from their respective places Of wor
ship the streets are almost deserted
the whole day.
Seventy-tlve papers are published
in the city, but not one published or
sold on Sunday, and I think might
safely say that there are very few
families in the city who read a secu-
lar newspaper on Sunday.
Toronto has as fine a system of
street railways or horse cars as can
be found anywhere and do large
business during the week, but at
1890 o'clock Saturday night the
cars are taken off the streets and not
seen again until S o'clock Monday
morning, and although private car
riages are as numerous in that city
as in any other of its size and wealth,
it is a rare thing to see any of them
out on Sunday, unless member of
the family is unable to walk to
church. Livery stables are all
closed by law on that day, and no
conveyance can be hired unless for a
funeral, and funeral on Sunday is
not frequent.
[ said before that Toronto has
lovely drives along the lake shore,
away out to the country and around
its parks, but I think I may venture
to say that you will see more driving
on single Sunday in Kenosha than
you can see there in year of Sun
days. The parks in the afternoons
are taken possession of by the Sal
walton Army, and of course they are
taking their way of showing those
who hear them how to observe the
Lords day.
The Island is a great place of re-
sort for the inhabitants of the city,
and many families reside there dur
ing the summer months, and during
week days from 20 to 80 small
steamers ply every 5 or 10 minutes
to and fro and are usually crowded,
but on Sunday only two trips are
made to bring those families to and
from their respective places of wor-
ship in the city, and it was after a
hard fight in the Council chamber
that even this concession was made,
Fishing, shooting and base ball
playing are totally unknown in and
around Toronto on Sunday, and it is
fact that if young man employed