XX A COUNSEL OF PERFECTION 369 



" service " would thus be " performed," all difficulties 

 would vanish, and the day would become, not in name 

 only but truly, a holy one, inasmuch as it would witness 

 in every household deeds of true charity and mercy, 

 because in every case they would involve some amount of 

 personal effort and self-sacrifice. 



In the larger establishments of the higher classes there 

 would be no greater difficulty, since it would be easy to 

 effect such a division of labour as to render the work light 

 for each. The son or other relative who was fondest of 

 horses and dogs would of course see after their wants on 

 Sunday ; another might undertake the fire-lighting ; while 

 the young ladies would prepare the meals and do all other 

 really necessary domestic work. And as all visitors would 

 be acquisitions, almost the whole of the lodging- and 

 boarding-houses would be emptied, their occupants 

 becoming guests at the houses of their friends and taking 

 their share of the Sabbath day's duties. Of course the 

 greater part of the servants thus released from their 

 regular work would also visit their friends, and by giving 

 some little voluntary assistance would take their part in 

 the great altruistic movement that would characterize the 

 day. 



Among the more important of these deeds of mercy 

 would be the relief of the nurses in hospitals and asylums, 

 and of the attendants in workhouses and prisons. When 

 the great principle of rest for each individual from the 

 weary monotony of his or her daily work was once 

 thoroughly accepted, volunteers by thousands would be 

 found to take part in every duty of the kind ; and it would 

 probably not be necessary for any one to undertake the 

 more repulsive duties more frequently than once a month, 

 or perhaps three or four times a year. This would of 

 course imply some general instruction of the young in the 

 principles and practice of nursing, which is much to be 

 desired on other grounds. 



In the same way all the national treasures of art and 

 nature in our galleries and museums, our libraries and 

 gardens, might be thrown open to the great body of toilers 

 who can enjoy them at no other time, the place of the 



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