NOTES OF THE MONTH. 6*83 



not such adventitious display, to beguile us of our respect. When we 

 see a man e< righteous over much/' we incontinently button up our 



P ' 



SUNDAY TRADING. Sunday trading has become one of the crying 

 evils of this metropolis. It is the most fruitful source of debauchery, 

 drunkenness, and all sorts of abomination. Every body has been aware 

 of its evil influence on society, yet none have had sufficient philanthropy 

 to urge its abolition. Complaints have been loud and long, yet none have 

 endeavoured to effect a remedy. It is, therefore, with no slight feeling 

 of satisfaction we have seen, that a numerous and most respectable meet- 

 ing has been held at the London Coffee-House, to take measures for the 

 formation of a society, to take these matters under their consideration. 

 If it is considered necessary that the sabbath should be observed ; if 

 laws are made for its observance ; then ought they, in common justice, 

 to be enforced. If the conscientious trader, in obedience to such regu- 

 lation, closes his store, why should he, who sets every thing at defiance 

 for the love of mammon, be allowed a premium on his misdoings ? We 

 should be the last to advocate any infringement on the rights of the 

 community, of which we form a part ; yet, Sunday trading carries with 

 it such an indecent disregard of the very best feelings of human nature, 

 that common feeling would suggest the propriety, of at least an outward 

 compliance with the wishes of the majority. 



The seventh day, independently of religious consideration, has been 

 always considered necessary as a clay of rest; and the general morality 

 of a country is always best ascertained by its observance. Our northern 

 neighbours have been long celebrated for the decency and order with 

 which the sabbath is observed ; and no where within his Majesty's do- 

 minions, can be found a more industrious, better regiilated, or better 

 informed people. One great cause, however, of the almost total disre- 

 gard of this particular feeling, as regards the population of London and 

 its vicinity, is the present time for paying workmen. At the latest hour 

 on Saturday night they receive their wages. The first thing they think 

 of, is the public-house and a pipe ; the next is their wives and families. 

 The consequence is, their Sunday's meal must needs be purchased on a 

 Sunday morning. This might certainly be altered, and with incalcu- 

 lable benefit to the individuals themselves, as well as to the rising gene- 

 ration, on whom example, be it good or evil, is never lost. To enforce 

 religion, would be to violate the principles of religious toleration ; to 

 enforce decency, is a duty we owe society. 



We have been led to these remarks, by the perusal of a very respect- 

 able and intelligent weekly print (The Patriot), which we cannot, how- 

 ever, leave without our joke. Amongst its notices to correspondents, 

 some benevolent individual is informed, that his donation has not been 

 accepted by a certain individual, on the plea, that he declines assistance 

 " from persons in his immediate neighbourhood." It is well for Mr. S. 

 that bounty is so promptly and liberally administered, that he can pick 

 and choose his customers. It reminds us of a certain farmer in Ver- 

 mont, where losses by fire are generally made up by contributions from 

 neighbours, who, when a friend had been at the pains of bringing him 

 twenty bags of rye from some distance, as his share towards the allevi- 

 ation of the misfortune, shook his head, and told him, " he was equally 

 obliged, but that he had done taking in rye for some time past !" 



