156 / Preach to the Parson, 



vigil on Saturday, and thus Sunday practically is over at 

 twelve o'clock. On Sunday I said-well, I will add any 

 fete day-and then you will see them playing cards for some 

 wnie of the value of a sous a glass, perhaps, at dominoes or 

 nnie-pms, and dancing to a band without any rudeness or 

 vulgarity, or laughing at a punchinello or performing dogs; 

 and you hear shouts of merry laughter ; and the old people 

 sit by, the old men smoking their pipes, and their old wives 

 with them. Look at that country girl with her white cap 

 and long ear-rings, dancing with the man in the blue blouse. 

 My wigs ! what monkey-capers he cuts ! There is this 

 difference with us: a modest girl does not dare stand up 

 to dance in public in England without being insulted by 

 the insufferable 'Arrys, and so they fall to at kiss-in-the- 

 ring, and I grant you that is not a very elevating pastime. 

 '' You say that I want the continental Sunday in Eng- 

 land mc^ your ' Sabbath,' which I own is very sad, and 

 which I improve in my own way in my garden which 

 no one can see into, so I don't offend my neighbour. I 

 must tell you straight off, we play lawn tennis after the 

 early dinner, and the servants have perfect rest till 8 p.m. 

 I believe in Sunday rest from labour ; and I tell you the 

 actors would not act seven days a week, and people don't 

 want theatres and music-halls open— the idea goes against 

 the English grain And I would not bring out my viUage 

 eleven because it would make a crowd and annoy my 

 neighbours, but I do subscribe to a Sunday Cricket Club 

 of poor fellows who work all the week, and who get to an 

 out-of-the-way place and play cricket ; and their rules are 

 threepence fine for any bad language, and a shilliug for 

 bringing beer or spirits out, as they are honestly fighting 

 the question of ' harmless amusement v. public-house,' and 

 it is tJipAr battle captained and led by themselves without 

 interference. 



