New-York tribune., 1901-12-02
CONTINENTAL" SUNDAYS.
THE EXPERIENCES OF AN AMERICAN |
WOMAN IN EUROPE.

WOMAN IN EUROPE
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: much interested in the opinions. both
pro and con, being expressed to legaizlns
certain privileges which quite innocent
Saturday, but become in the opinion of many very
wicked on Sunday.
It was my good fortune to spend years IN
Europe. not ordinary American tourist with
practically inexhaustble purse. but living the life
Of the people Of the countries in which my lot was
cast, with many generations of American an
cestry behind me. and with an accumulation or
American prejudices heavily impressed upon my
mind, which at that time 1 styled convictions; nor
did arrive easily the honesty which enables me
to-day boldly the less pharisaical word
prejudice. When settled down in Copenhagen for
a year 1 at first shocked and then made un-
happy by meeting my way home from the little
English church the family parties of wholesome
honest looking Danes. who could be seen, often
with Bible and hymn book. seated at the little
tables outside the cafes drinking beer, often some
thing stronger. quite famille.
After a while that feeling wore off when 1 found
that these really good and devout Christians had
gone to church at 9 o'clock, and stop
ping to chat about the sermon talk of the
vice this harmless glass of beer Having
married a Dane. naturally only Danish nome
life, and the way in which those dear people made
themselves unhappy by putting aside their usual
Sunday habits out of consideration for my pre!9-
dices. which they could not understand was a life
lesson in the real charity which is not puffed up
'Ahi but dear one" said friend to me in her
pretty quaint English, 'the good God does give US
Sunday with the birds and the flowers and the
sunshine in it. and If it not good to be happy
that day the birds they would not sing nor the
flowers bloom the make its shining for the
good Father He tells them to do So and they all
do HIS WILL At first had qualms when /
joined group about the evening lamp with their
embroidery in their hands, while the men or the
family smoked, chGtted or played cards, but soon
forgot even to feel uncomfortable. and could only
think of the beautiful family life and love to which
coined a strange kinswoman.
Then I that the people who went to the
Tivoli Garden or the theatre, or sat down out Oh
doors in the afternoon their beer, were those
of whom knew that not only did they visit tho
that they truly kept themselves unspotted from
world and my armor of prejudice was pierced,
and 1 began to that all the good people were
not in the United States.
From Denmark went to Germany, ana a year III
Munich finished the process of conversion.
l should like to ten parks for every one New
York has now, and ask sign, Keep off the
grass" in one of them. I should like to see them
fiIIed with chairs and tables and and women
and children eating and drinking what they chose,
while good bands played good music; or II too cold
for the picturesque of door life of the Continent
should like to see well ordered and decent cafes,
where husband, wife and children could go to-
gether listen to the music chat with friends.
without the feeling that they were breaking a law
cate what I believe the papers call wide open
Sunday, without restrictions; nor do wish 70 see
the rise of sentiment which will approve sun
day bull fights in Spain or horse races In Paris.
sunday-that which brings into the hard worka.
day life of our humble brothers and sisters bit OF
the Sunday sunshine and good cheer. and makes it
possible TO be holiday in the spirit of joy and
gratitude which will also make it holy day.
MARY THOMAS Christensen.
New-York, Nov. IS. 1901.