COMPULSORY SUNDAY CLOSING. 187 



having Hyde Park on one side. In almost every tree there are 

 " martin-houses," i.e., Swiss cottages, made of wood, for the benefit 

 of small bii-ds. The police are dressed in blue -grey, with grey 

 helmets. They do not have a sheath for the baton, or " club " as 

 they call it here, but carry it hanging by a string from the hand. 

 It is small, but heavily loaded. 



On November 17th, however, there is a second note 

 upon this subject : 



The beings whom I took for police are park-keepers. The real 

 policeman is a big man in dark blue, with a helmet like that of our 

 own " Bobby," and a staff which he carries in a ring (not a sheath) 

 attached to his belt. Also, he has a silver shield on his manly 

 breast, and he has a revolver in his pocket. On the whole, however, 

 he is fairly affable, and though he is said to have his helmet full of 

 cigars given to him by provident bar-keepers, much the same is said 

 of our own specimens. 



A further note, however, dated January 7th, 1884, 

 shows these officials in a somewhat less favourable light, 

 and also shows something of the practical results of 

 compulsory Sunday closing : 



You will see in " Puck," which I am sending you, a mention of 

 police who go over to Hoboken on Sunday to get a drink. Each 

 State makes its own laws. If Massachusetts were to make a law 

 that everyone must carry a loaded revolver and smoke six cigars 

 daily, the Government at Washington could not interfere. In New 

 York, at present, there is a law which closes all bars on Sunday, and 

 prohibits the sale of wine, beer, and spirits. Consequently, there is 

 more drinking on Sunday than on the week-days, only it is done on 

 the sly. The known frequenters of hotels go boldly in at the front 

 entrance, and so pass into the bar, the blinds of which are virtuously 

 drawn down. Others not connected with hotels have private signals 

 with their customers. The man walks past the door and gives the 

 signal. Then he saunters back again, leans against the dooi % , which 



