fifth day.] SABBATH DAY. 133 



manners, have no such examples of bad neighbours, 

 for the people of the north of England keep the 

 Sunday much in the same way. 



POIET. — Nay, Halieus, call them not bad neigh- 

 bours ; recollect my creed, and respect at least, what, 

 if error, was the error of the western Christian world 

 for 1000 years. The rigid observance of the seventh 

 day appears to me rather a part of the Mosaic, than 

 of the Christian dispensation. The Protestants of 

 this country consider the Catholics bigots, because 

 they enjoin to themselves and perform certain 

 penances for their sins ; and surely the Catholics may 

 see a little still more resembling that spirit, in the 

 interference of the Scotch in innocent amusements, 

 on a day celebrated as a festive day, that on which 

 our Saviour rose to immortal life, and secured the 

 everlasting hopes of the Christian. I see no reason 

 why this day should not be celebrated with singing, 

 dancing, and triumphal processions, and all innocent 

 signs of gladness and joy. I see no reason why it 

 should be given up to severe and solitary prayers, or 

 to solemn and dull walks ; or why, as in Scotland, 

 whistling even should be considered as a crime on 

 Sunday, and humming a tune, however sacred, out of 

 doors, as a reason for violent anger and persecution. 



ORN. — I agree with Poietes, in his views of the 

 subject. I have suffered from the peculiar habits of 



